King Kong (1933) Review | Godzilla Island Archive

Note: This review was published in 2014 on Godzilla Island. Views and opinions may be outdated changed.

The Plot:

The film starts off with filmmaker Carl Denham in need of an actress for his new movie, which he plans to shoot on an uncharted island. Because of Denham’s reputation for filming dangerous animals in exotic locations, no talent agency is willing to lend him an actress.

Denham soon runs into Ann Darrow, a beautiful woman down on her luck and in financial need. He offers her a job, and together they set sail on a ship he has chartered called The Venture. During the voyage, Ann and the ship’s first mate Jack Driscoll quickly fall in love after spending time together.

One foggy night, the ship sails into shallow waters, forcing the crew to drop anchor. The next morning, they awaken to find they’ve arrived at the mysterious island no one believed actually existed.

Denham reveals that he intends to film a legendary being known as Kong, who is worshiped by the island’s natives. Later that day, Denham, Ann, Jack, and part of the ship’s crew go ashore to explore. They come across a massive wall protecting a tribal village at its base. Denham begins filming, but one of the tribesmen spots them.

The crew steps out and begins to communicate with the tribe. The shaman, who had been conducting a ritual ceremony, claims that Denham and his crew have tainted the sacred rite by watching it. The chief notices Ann’s blonde hair — something no one on the island has seen before — and offers six of their women in exchange for her, intending to give her to Kong as his bride. Denham and Jack refuse and promise to return the next day to make peace.

Back on the ship, Jack and Ann finally confess their love and share a kiss. But later that night, the tribesmen secretly board the ship and kidnap Ann while she’s alone, gazing at the stars. When her disappearance is discovered, the entire crew rushes to the island to rescue her.

At the village, the tribe ties Ann to an altar outside the massive wall and sounds the gong — summoning Kong. The giant ape emerges from the jungle, intrigued by the sight of the blonde woman. He breaks her restraints and carries her off into the jungle.

Jack, Denham, and several crew members set off after Kong. Their journey is filled with danger — a Stegosaurus attack, a deadly encounter with a Brontosaurus in the lake, and a horrifying fall into a ravine after Kong shakes them from a log bridge. Jack narrowly survives, continuing his pursuit through the jungle.

Meanwhile, Kong battles a Tyrannosaurus Rex in one of the most iconic monster fights ever put to film. After a brutal struggle, Kong defeats the dinosaur by tearing open its jaws. He carries Ann to his mountain lair, fending off more prehistoric creatures, including a giant snake-like Elasmosaurus and a Pterodactyl.

While Kong is distracted, Jack rescues Ann and they escape down a vine, jumping into the water below. They make their way back to the wall, where Denham is waiting. Denham proposes capturing Kong with sleeping gas bombs and taking him back to New York to make a fortune.

Kong soon breaks through the wall, destroying the village, but Denham’s plan works — the mighty ape falls unconscious under the effects of the gas.

Cut to New York City: Denham proudly presents King Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World. Jack and Ann attend the premiere, but the camera flashes from reporters enrage Kong, and he breaks free. Chaos follows as Kong rampages through the city, seizes Ann, and climbs the Empire State Building.

Airplanes circle the skyscraper and open fire. Kong manages to take down one plane before succumbing to his wounds. He gently sets Ann down before falling to his death. Denham looks up and delivers the film’s most famous line: “It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.”

My Thoughts:

This movie quietly reached its 80th anniversary last year, and it truly remains a timeless classic. King Kong (1933) will forever be known as one of the greatest monster movies ever made.

What amazes me most is how they managed to pull off the special effects in the 1930s. Sure, the effects don’t compare to today’s standards, but for 1933 they’re still unbelievably impressive.

I love how the movie starts as a slow, dramatic adventure, then completely shifts gears once Ann is kidnapped. From that moment on, it’s a nonstop monster-packed thrill ride filled with action, dinosaurs, and suspense. And when we return to New York, it slowly eases back into a dramatic and tragic ending. There’s really nothing more to say about this film other than watch it. This is a piece of cinema history that every movie fan should experience at least once.