King Kong '33 is quintessential. I can think of no action movie that can match it. With that said, I still like other versions of the story, including sequels and offshoots. Kong beats within my primal pulse in so many ways and styles.
With that said, Shout Factory has just released the Dino De Laurentiis 1976, Paramount Pictures revamp, directed by John (Tarzan's Greatest Adventure) Guillermin and scripted by Lorenzo (Batman '66) Semple Jr. However, this Blu-ray release doesn't merely contain the theatrical cut, but the expanded, padded-footage edition, which was shown twice on NBC four decades ago. This extended version has never had an official, video cassette or disc release until now.
Though this official, initial remake didn't please everyone (Forest J Ackerman, Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison decried it a stinker), Dino Kong (as cinema buffs came to coin it) proved a mega-hit despite its lack of stop-motion animation and Kong fighting only one colossal creature, a giant snake. Still, due to its vigorous publicity, which commenced more than a year before its Christmas release, Dino Kong caused an avalanche of interest, tons of merchandise and a fervid, renewed interest in all things Kong, including its classic, '33 catalyst.
The (3-hr) "miniseries" cut includes about forty minutes of come-and-go inserts, none of which makes or breaks the production, but even so, having these bridges does give the story more of an epic feel, spicing up characterization and suspense for the long haul. (Keep in mind, the same approach has been applied to Peter Jackson's Kong '05, as well as the director's Tolkien adaptations, all to avid acceptance. The same can be said of Zack Snyder's Justice League. If it's okay to extend in those instances, why not in Dino Kong's?)
From a cheesecake-connoisseur vantage, Jessica Lang as Dwan (the reinterpreted, Monroe-ish Ann Darrow) is quite a captivating sight, in particular when Kong dips her in Skull Island's waterfalls or when she skips around in her short-shorts. (I read a review where a fellow complained that Lang's leggy appearance was too extensive, but the ample insertion of a beautiful babe is an unavoidable part of the Kong dynamic, as Fay Wray; Naomi Watts; Linda Miller; Helen Mack; Terry Moore; Charlize Theron; Claire Gordon; Joanna Kerns; Megan Timothy; Evelyne Kraft; Vanity; and Antonella Interlenghi have proven, even if a few of their great apes were but inspirations to the one who started it all. If one can't accept the beauty/beast, cheesecake component {and yes, Lang delivers it to the apt max}, why the hell bother watching?)
Rick Baker portrays Kong, and for some his interpretation isn't as awesome as a stop-motion or CGI version, but the makeup artist's performance is pretty darn expressive all the same. Compare Dino Kong to the Toho's men-in-monster-suit productions of the same period, which are just floppy, sloppy and silly. Dino Kong takes itself seriously in this respect, with Baker creating a well rounded persona, even if Semple's script does slip in some subtle snickers.
Carlo Rambali's much publicized, 40-ft robo-Kong stand-in is fascinating to watch, but alas there's little footage to chew on (in either cut): another reason why some give Dino Kong a thumps down. Nevertheless, when flanked by Lang, Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin and company, it all smooths out.
Oh, and Richard H. Kline's exotic cinematography and John Barry's mood-building score (abetted by Peter Cullen's resounding roars) are memorable additions, as is the picture's tense and poignant, Twin Towers conclusion.
Without question, this Blu-ray expansion suits Dino Kong just fine (and that it contains a ton of extras doesn't hurt at all), fortifying this release as a chest-pounding essential.
Now with Kong-mania again in full swing, and a new Son of Kong looming, perhaps Shout Factory will release a King Kong Lives collector's edition. Now there's a real, underrated rouser deserving of special treatment.
