King Kong (DVD, 2005, Repackaged/ Widescreen Collection)

After being dissapointed with Peter Jackson's 2006 version of King Kong, I decided to seek out the 1976 version I saw in theaters as a kid. The plot line is very different than the 1930's version, but the end is the same for the monkey.
This Dino DeLaurentis-produced 1976 version was famous for the building a 40' tall remote-control Kong which created many delays in the production of the movie. This robot Kong made for great "partial" shots, (arms, hands) but very poor "full" shots, to the extent that there are really only two full shots of the standing robot in the final print of the film. Anyway, Charles Grodin is very funny in a hammed-up role as an oil co. executive, and Jessica Lange is stunning in her first feature film role, and she does the best she can with her scripted lines. Also, the outdoor filming in Hawaii is very pretty.
Perhaps the worst element of the film I did not remember as a kid are the "man-in-the-monkey-suit" set pieces of Kong against a completely artificial-looking orange sky background that dominate the middle of the film.
The final scenes of the film take place at the former Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and it is sad to see how large an area the Towers took up in the closing scenes of the film, as a giant stuffed Kong lies on the ground in the Trade Center Plaza amidst hundreds of extras.
The true highlight of the film was to again hear the original score written and orchestrated by legendary film music creator John Barry. This great score makes much of the drama and sentimentality of the movie.
This version of the film had no other documentary features attached, and I don't know if there are any other versions out there with any. That would certainly be interesting, and most of the major-part actors are still alive today.
For the money spent, it is still a film I will watch every so often and enjoy.
/s/ RDM

Story: One of the top money-makers of the 1970s. Producer Dino Delaurentis up-dates the 1933 classic. Jessica Lange's first starring role. Academy Award Nominations: 2, including Best Cinematography, Best Sound. Academy Award: Best Special Effects.

Comments: It is hard to decide witch is better, this remake of the King Kong movie of 1933 or the 2006 remake.

Personally i prefer this 1 over the newest, because the newest takes to long to watch it in 1 time, when a movie takes to long, you start gazing at your watch how long it is still going to last, and how about intermissions when you need to go to the bathroom and such.

For the special effects and such the newest ( 2006 ) version is better indeed, but i think the STORY is more important then how a movie looks like, and then i come every time back to this 1970's remake.

In the latest 2006 version you have dinosaurs on the same island as where King Kong lives, i don't think that that is possible considering they died out due to Dinosaurs being cold-blooded while a ape is warm blooded.

The 1970's remake is just more believable then the 2006 version, i love them both & all, but if i were to choose between the 2, then i would pick this 1.

No major flaws in this one, except for the over-apparent Blue Screen sometimes.

Don't miss out if you liked the 2006 version and definately go see this one.

It would be a nice collection to have.

A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

***I BOUGHT THIS VIDEO PRIMARILY FOR ONE REASON: JESSICA LANGE WEARING THOSE DAISY DUKE CUTOFFS THAT SHOW OFF ONE OF THE MOST TREMENDOUS PAIRS OF GAMS I'VE EVER SEEN--WOW!!***(the movie itself while nowhere near the vintage brilliance of the original or the excellence of the peter jackson remake (sans the giant insects which i could've done without) was nonetheless better than most critics maintain--an acquired taste).***

If you're into great special effects, very good picture/film qualities, and some pretty decent acting, then you might want to take a look at the latest remake of this old classic, rather than this one. But that isn't to say this version, staring Jessica Lang and Jeff Bridges, isn't worth watching. In fact this version is more about Jessica than about the big ape, and that's just fine with me. She's a lot easier on the eyes, and delivers a steamy, sensual performance. And Jeff Bridges delivers a fine performance as the leading man. At the time of its original release in the 70's, many critics, particularly those of the feminist bent, were outraged at the decidedly and sometimes blatantly sexual overtones portrayed in the encounters between King Kong and Jessica's character. I guess to them this should have been a movie about a big misguided ape who was just looking for a friend, strictly platonic of course, who would simply be open and sensitive to his emotional needs, and so on. But that would have sucked. The fact is, this was simply a more frank portrayal of the very many things the original version was only able to hint at, way back when... In short, I've seen all the other versions, and this is still my favorite!

This has got to be one of my all favor movie I can relly get into this movie over and over again and again. I'm really glad I finally got a chance to get this movie I have been looking for this movie for awhile now to put back in my collection.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ONE OF THE BETTER KING KONG MOVIES MADE SPECIAL EFFECTS OK CONSIDERING WHEN IT WAS MADE BOU I LIKE THE ACTORS ALL GOOD ACTORS. IF YOU LOVE THE OLD SCHOOL MOVIES THIS IS ONE TO GET.

I like the fact that I thought about it, and it found it that quick on Ebay.The movie was old but I had a hunch Ebay would have it. I bought it for my granddaughter who is 3 because I thought the new version was too violent.We watched it together.She knows all about Ebay. Diana

I am disappointed as I did not pay attention that you were in Korea and it took so long to get here. Just will never order again from so far away.

I got this DVD for my dad who loves King Kong. I was very pleased with the seller and the prompt free shipping. My dad loves the DVD. Thanks.

I loved this movie ever since I was little. This is one of the first movies that my parents had taken us to see. I would watch it when it was on tv but this way, I will have it to watch whenever I choose. Thank you

I purchased this for my 2 grandsons after they saw the newer one. They LOVED this older version. Great Purchase Good Price TERRIFIC Movie!

Excellent, went above and beyond to make sure that I was satisfied, even after the first shipment didn't make it.
Thanks a bunch

I purchased the dvd of King Kong because all my grandkids love to watch it. They call it the big monkey movie. They get tranzed up and remain quite and still which is good for me. I knew I had to purchase this dvd. So,I first thought of Ebay. Like usual, Ebay had several auctions for this movie. It has been so nice to play this dvd whenever my grandkids are over and they need to be settled down.