DVD : King Kong [1933]

Rating: - Don't monkey around with Kong
The basic story is of Carl Denham (Robert Armstrong), who makes those cute little animal pictures that are going out of style. If he wants to stay in business he must add a female interest and some excitement. Circumstances forcing him to leave port quickly, he meets a girl Ann Darrow (Fay Wray), that is down on her luck and convinces her that he will make her a star (on the up and up).
Things get complicated, as you know it is bad luck to bring a woman onboard a freighter. And Ann really stirs them up including the first mate, Jack Driscoll (Bruce Cabot). On top of this she has a large date awaiting her at Skull Island.
I will not tell the rest of the story just incase you are one of the few that has missed the movie. But as you have guessed it includes a big ape named KONG. Not that cheesy thing that is always tussling around in Japanese movies, but a much more convincing Kong that can show great emotion.
You are about to watch the eight wonder of the world.

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Rating: - The Original and Best
This was the first film I saw - I was about seven years old! What I felt then, as now, was the atmosphere of forboding and terror: 'Tell her (Fay Wray ) to scream her heart out' to which the answer: 'What does he ( the expedition leader) expect her to see?' Considering the year this film was made, the special effects were remarkable, especially Kong's final demise on the top of the Empire State Building. I was very upset at such human cruelty. Every 'plane he swatted, I cheered to stop myself from crying. The film's creepy sense of compulsive viewing is something no later version has eclipsed. Like Kong, I fell in love with Fay Wray. I also wanted to adopt King Kong as my bodyguard buddy. What more could any seven year old boy's heart desire?

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Rating: - A lasting charm
With the new King Kong just realeased how does the original compare. Quite well actually in terms of entertainment. Although the special effects are obviously not that good it is still really entertaining . It must be said however that it is more of a comedy now than a serious film (it's the huge teeth that do it).

Unlike the new King Kong it dosn't feel as dragged out. Their is plenty of action in it. The only problem is that their isn't really any realationship between Kong and the woman.

Let's be honest, the first bit may drag a little but after that it is a good film, honestly. Still probably the best version yet!

I recommend it to everyone, even if it just for a good old laugh.

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Rating: - Essential viewing.
Now King Kong has come to modern audiences, there is an even greater reason to get hold of the original. Sure, the new one is great and I would recommend anyone watch it, but this version, now re - released on DVD is essential viewing as the atmosphere is completely different to that portrayed by Jackson and to see how movie making as come on in the intervening years is a joy to behold. Both are fantastic in some amazingly similar ways. Watch the new and the old on the same day and enjoy the cinematic feast.

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Rating: - And this is better because?
This film has been released before in the UK, atleast the previous release had an "Extra", the documentary "It was beauty killed the beast".
This re-release has nothing at all, the picture quality is very bad (as stated in a previous review) so why is it released?
Can't universal get hold of the restored version like the Region 1 set is? The region 1 set doesn't actually appear to be region 1, it has no problem playing on any of my friends region 2 DVD players, so i don't think you will need a multi-region DVD player for it, or a TV compatable with NTSC for that matter (because it's black & White anyway) so, get the American DVD release, it really is much better, excellent value for money, you will definitely not be disappointed.