A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.A petroleum exploration expedition comes to an isolated island and encounters a colossal giant gorilla.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 5 wins & 3 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFor shots of Kong holding Jessica Lange, the filmmakers built giant hydraulic gorilla arms. The hands were six feet across, and the arms weighed 1,650 lbs. (750 kg.) each. They weren't ready until shooting was well underway. When they were finally built, Dino De Laurentiis was invited to the set to witness a test. He walked into the studio, and a giant arm extended in his direction. Then the middle finger slowly uncurled and extended itself. De Laurentiis broke up. So did the arm; it was frozen, finger up, for a week.
- GoofsWhilst King Kong is on top of the World Trade Center fighting off the helicopters, he knocks two out of the sky, and you see them go down and hear them crash, but when Kong is seen lying on the ground after he falls, there is no smoke or debris from the crashed helicopters where he is lying. It is possible that the smoke and debris is behind the towers.
- Quotes
Dwan: How can I become a star because of... because of someone who was stolen off that gorgeous island and locked up in that lousy oil tank?
Fred Wilson: It's not *someone*! It's an animal, a beast who tried to rape you.
Dwan: That's not true. He risked his life to save me.
Fred Wilson: He tried to rape you, honey. And before you cry a lot, you should ask the natives on that island what they thought of losing Kong.
Jack Prescott: Actually, they'll miss him a lot.
Fred Wilson: Like leprosy.
Jack Prescott: No, you're dead wrong. He was the terror, the mystery of their lives, and the magic. A year from now that will be an island full of burnt-out drunks. When we took Kong, we kidnapped their god.
- Crazy creditsJessica Lange received an "Introducing" credit, as this was her acting debut.
- Alternate versionsThe film had 45 extra minutes of footage added to it for its two-part TV premiere.
- ConnectionsEdited into Death Ship (1980)
- SoundtracksLove Theme from King Kong
Written and produced by Barry White
Performed by Love Unlimited Orchestra
© 1976 20th Century Fox Records Inc.
© Renewed UMG Recordings Inc.
Rather than replicate the original,the filmmakers take a different approach. Some things work,some things don't,but kudos for trying. The updating of the characters for 70s sensibilities now seems as dated as the ones in the original movie,and Jessica Lange's heroine just comes across as an empty headed bimbo. The environmentalist message is still pertinent though,and the filmmakers stop short of labouring their issues.
Kong himself is a lot less fearsome,in fact the man-in-suit creature seems rather cuddly. Scenes when he attacks people almost seem out of place {and compare badly with similar sequences in the original}. Look out for the brief appearance of the robot Kong prop during the scene when he breaks out of his cage,it looks nothing like the Kong of the rest of the film. Special effects are generally good though. They are generally a lot less ambitious-no dinosaurs for one thing,except for one out-of-place giant snake-but they are usually quite good.
The film is a little sluggish,and seems to display little imagination at times-consider how dull the island looks in this version. However,the filmmakers were attempting a somewhat more realistic film. They also succeed in creating quite a a bit more pathos,especially at the end. John Barry's score is rarely mentioned as one of his best but it's really atmospheric,dramatic and sometimes moving. Despite some glaring flaws,this remake is certainly no disaster,and occasionally works well. Check it out,but see the older one first.
- DrLenera
- Jul 30, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- King Kong: The Legend Reborn
- Filming locations
- Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA(Skull Island)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $24,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $52,614,445
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,023,921
- Dec 19, 1976
- Gross worldwide
- $52,614,445
- Runtime2 hours 14 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1