King Kong

The Original King Kong

classified PG

Cinema Rediscovered 2017

Film

Please note: This was screened in July 2017

Director
Merian C. Cooper , Ernest B. Schoedsack
Cast
Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot
Details
103 mins, 1933, USA

Eight decades on since its original release this mighty monarch of monster movies still deserves its classic status. Full of iconic moments and one of the greatest endings in cinema history, this monstrous outpouring of creative energy remains indispensable entertainment. A beast of stop-motion filmmaking that’s still demanding our attention, join us for the one, the only, King Kong.

When documentary film producer Carl Denham sets sail with his film crew to the tropical outcrop of Skull Island for an exotic location shoot it’s because the island is home to a legendary giant ape, which he hopes to utilise in the starring role. But when the mighty Kong shows his sensitive side by taking a shine to Denham‘s leading lady, the beast shows he’ll go to any length – including battling with two dinosaurs, a giant snake, a flying reptile and a Tyrannosaurus rex, not to mention scaling the Empire State Building batting down a biplane as he goes, in search of his new found love.

It’s amazing to observe today how this low-rent monster movie pointed the way toward the current era of special effects, science fiction and cataclysmic destruction. Ageless and primeval, King Kong still somehow works - its very artificiality containing a creepiness that’s lacking in today's slick, computer-generated movie landscape. Back on the big screen, come and behold the eighth wonder of the world!

Presented on 35mm with thanks to BFI.

Feeling inspired by the film? Families can join us for a free drop-in workshop in the Café/Bar before the film (from 10:30 - 11:30) in where we'll be making King Kong masks!


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