King Kong Escapes (1967) Review
- Frank Laudato
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Monster Appearances: Giant Sea Snake, Gorosaurus, King Kong, Mechani-Kong
King Kong Escapes (1967) stands out as one of the most unique films in King Kong’s long cinematic history. Sure, King Kong had already made his Tokusatsu debut against Godzilla in King Kong vs Godzilla (1962), but Toho decided to give it another swing this time Kong was the sole headliner. Even though there was no Godzilla, this film still featured plenty of monsters.
Ofcourse the highlight was Mechani-Kong, the first mecha kaiju, predating even Mechagodzilla. The film also featured a Giant Sea Snake, and the debut of Gorosaurus, who would go on to become a reoccurring Monster Island inhabitant and ally of Godzilla throughout many of the Showa-era Godzilla films.
With over-the-top villains like Dr. Who (not that one) and Madame X, King Kong Escapes leans hard into the tokusatsu style that kaiju fans know and love, but it takes the campiness up a notch because this film isn't just a standard King Kong movie it's an adaption of Toei Animation's 1966-67animated series, The King Kong Show.
Mechani-Kong gives Kong a rival that is one of our favorites. While it may not be as widely known Mechagodzilla, Mechani-Kong holds an important place in kaiju history as the first mecha version of a Kaiju. Decades later, this mechanical clone of King Kong still remains a fan-favorite, both for its design and its place in kaiju history. While King Kong Escapes may not be the most serious kaiju film, its kaiju action and cast make it a must-watch for fans of classic monster movies.
In our video review, we revisited the English dub of King Kong Escapes, breaking down the film’s plot, its many plot holes, and what make this movie such an entertaining watch.
During our visit to Kaiju Brooklyn 2025, we had the pleasure of meeting Linda Miller, who played Lieutenant Susan Watson in King Kong Escapes. She was incredibly warm and kind. We brought over a King Kong Escapes print to have signed from artist Nick Shev, and she was genuinely excited when we told her he was also at the convention, so much so that she asked us to escort her to his table so she could meet him in person.
Walking her to Nick’s table and acting as her guide through the con for those few minutes was a true honor. Getting to meet someone who was part of such an important chapter in kaiju history and a film we both grew up adoring was incredibly special. We also spoke with her about what it was like working on King Kong Escapes, and she shared that it was an absolutely wonderful experience and she adored her time in Japan.
Be sure to watch the full video review, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and let us know your thoughts on King Kong Escapes in the comments!
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