King Kong [DVD]

The original king kong one word Brilliant.

Most people browsing this review will have seen the film on TV more than once. I've loved it since I was a child, and I'm working on the basis that you like the film enough to be considering which version to buy, so rather than discussing the merits of the film itself, I'll discuss why I chose to invest in a special edition DVD.This special edition is a US import which isn't available on Region 2. But if you're really interested in the film and its production, the Region 1 DVD is the right choice, even at a price.The film is almost eighty years old, and any movie from so long ago will have technical limitations. Nothing has been done to render the sound and vision artificially clean, and this is the right approach. So to date it's the best available version.The picture quality is probably as good as it's going to get. Some sections are still grainy, but for the most part the images are clearer than I've ever seen them on TV transmissions. It helps you appreciate the sheer skill and effort that went into creating the special effects in the early 1930s.Likewise, the sound quality is as clear as you're likely to get. The dialogue is clear, the sound effects' impact improved and the cleaned-up music score ilustrates the action properly - it seems better mixed and less tinny than TV viewings in my recollection (it has been some time since it was transmitted in the UK and my home cinema equipment has also improved since then).So, you're watching a very old film from early in the sound era, and from the earliest days of special effects. It's just in the best form that can currently preserve the essence of that classic.The extras however are what distinguishes this from the European equivalent release. The film commentary, in large part from Ray Harryhausen, is interesting on a technical level, and the inserts from contemporary interviews, including from Fay Wray, are worthwhile. It's the second disc, which seems only to be available on Region 1 however, which is of most value. As well as an interesting documentary on Merriam Cooper, there is an excellent documentary on the film's production.This includes fascinating insights from Peter Jackson and the Weta team who reconstructed the lost spider-pit sequence (also a standalone extra), and also interesting insights into the cancelled Creation, whose special effects fed into King Kong. The whole lengthy documentary provides excellent context. All DVD extras should ideally increase your appreciation for the film itself, and these do.

Bought it for my husband who was pleased with the quality considering the film was originally made in the 1930's.Very easy to purchase and swift delivery.

Legendary Movie Producers Ernest B Schoedsack & Merian C Cooper's Classic Fantasy epic King Kong The one and only original from 1933 Gets another eagerly awaited Blu-ray release. we all know The story seen The movie not much point adding another review on That Except To say it's Fay Wray at her screaming best Robert Armstrong in The role of a lifetime as big game Hunter Turned movie producer Carl Denham who gets more Than he bargained for when he decides To shoot His next movie on The long lost forgotten Skull island. And perhaps we should mention The star of The movie The Giant ape Kong. like many of you I suspect I Do own The region1 Digi Book release that came out a couple of years ago now of The 1933 classic and a Truly memorable release That was perhaps now you are wondering why purchase another release. what got my interest in This Italian release billed as The ultimate edition in amongst The extras They were including The 1925 silent epic The Lost World. as we all know now without The Lost World we really would not have King Kong Today. This release Though not in Blu-ray offers a remarkable DVD print Transfer of The silent classic Italian subtitles Do appear but can easily be removed from The Disc's Main Menu. Next up is an interview with a very ageing Fay Wray interesting to note she as lost none of her memories on The making of The movie and her anecdotes on The movie are now really priceless. clips from The unfinished Creation can be viewed as a separate extra Though some of stop motion creatures on view Turned up in The Kong sequel Son Of Kong. finally we get again all in DVD format The colourized version of King Kong This however is The only extra in Italian No English subtitles are listed for it still it can be viewed as an interesting curiosity. Great to see Fay Wray's famous blonde Hair you can see why old Kong had The Hot's for her in The movie. But Kong is a black and white movie Through and Through. None of These extras featured on The region 1 release but they give us nearly all Cooper's & Schoedsack work connected with King Kong. Disc1 one gives us The original movie in Blu-ray and like The region one release it is an outstanding release for a film of its age and yes it does include The censored lost footage That was restored back To Kong a few years back. I can tell you it Does Not include The famous missing spider pit sequence I mean Then we really would have The ultimate edition any great movie is worth another copy in your collection The combined Extras with The region 1 release give us The films History and Heritage This release comes Highly recommended.

A genuine classic which wears its 70 odd years well. Given the technology of the time the special effects are truely brilliant. Kong's battles with the pre-historic creatures of Skull Island are breath- taking. The Skull Island set is wonderfully atmospheric, you can almost smell the decaying vegetation.Cooper build's suspense wonderfully, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the fearsome island inhabitants are the most terrifying thing there. The wall dividing the island is the last boundary between civilisation and fantasy world where Kong is King.Denham as portrayed by Armstong is the very personification of capitalism and greed and Cooper's message is that excess greed leads to tragedy. Kong is a monarch in his own realm, when he is transported to democracey as represented by contemporary America, the clash of ideologies produces mayhem.The film gives us some of the most iconic images of cinema history, the bound Wray helpless in her initial confrontation with Kong mirrored by the bound Kong on the New York stage. The Ape's eyes peering menacingly through the train wreck and of the course probably the most famous cinema image of all, Kong roars defiance from the Empire State summit.Forget Jackson's version which would be nothing without the many benefits of computer generated special effects and depends on shock and graphic images for effect. This is the definitive Kong, one of the greatest movies ever made and I heartily recommend it.

Listen, the first half hour of this movie ranges from laughable to just plain bad."I think I love you...""But Jack, I thought you hated women.""You aren't women."But once you get to the island, and you see the (admittedly very offensive) villagers in all their insane glory, then Kong appears, and the quest to save Fay Wray, I mean, it just soars.I watched this a lot when I was a kid, so maybe my judgment is being clouded by nostalgia, but it was such a fun movie to revisit.Also, I think I'm more blown away by how they pulled off the sets they did more so than the stop-motion monsters. I mean there are so many wides in this movie that I still am not sure I know how they pulled off.

Llego sin problemasSi viene en español latino subtitulos tambiénLa imagen restaurada en HDTítulo indispensable para cualquiera queSea un amantes del séptimo arte

This is a movie that all should see.

Très beau film pour l’époque. A voir !!

Anche se oggi devo fare un bello sforzo per immedesimarmi con i film di quest'epoca é indubbio che questo film ha rappresentato all'inizio degli "effetti speciali" é una perla Dell epoca per cui anche se oggi appare "banale" a quel tempo era come mandare il 1 razzo in orbita con un pc con i floppy disc.. Per cui fu veramente qualcosa di incredibile, fortunatamente è ststo possibile reperirlo anche se credo non ci sianogli stessi contenuti speciali della versione a due dischi uscita anni e anni fa, però meglio di nulla..