KING KONG (1976) was the first of three movies to present an updated version of the KING KONG movie from the 1930s. The next big adaptation of KING KONG was Peter Jackson's take on the iconic character by providing a big CGI Kong while KONG: SKULL ISLAND would have an APOCALYPSE NOW version of KING KONG.

Some people remember it for King Kong while many young boys and men remembered it for actress Jessica Lange. Many people might have never watched this remake of KING KONG and only seen the most recent KING KONG from director Peter Jackson. It is a given that the special effects can be a little ropey at times in the 1976 KING KONG when it came to compositing. Otherwise, it is an enjoyable movie to watch and I watched the Television Cut, but I do wish Scream Factory provided a branching option where you could watch the Extended TV Cut as one piece instead of just being presented as its original two parts with recaps. It isn't a bad take on KING KONG, but I do think there is more life in the movie versions of KING KONG (the Peter Jackson one) and KONG: SKULL ISLAND than in this version.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Most of the extras are on the theatrical cut disc including several interviews produced by Reverend Entertainment for Shout Factory's release of KING KONG.
Unfortunately, the two main stars didn't record anything for this release and no archival interviews were included:
Two audio commentaries- one with Ray Morton and the other with Rick Baker

TOP OF THE WORLD- interview with Production Manager Brian Frankish and Assistant Director David McGiffert
WHEN THE MONKEY DIES, EVERYBODY CRIES- interview with production Assistants Jeffrey Chernov and Scott Thaler
MAYBE IN THEIR WILDEST DREAMS- interview with sculptor Steve Varner
SOMETHING'S HAYWIRE- interview with actor Jack O'Halloran
FROM SPACE TO APES- interview with Photographic Effects Assistant Barry Nolan about the effects and how they don't hold up very well
THERE’S A FOG BREAK OUT THERE- interview with Second unit Director Bill Kronick and how he got involved in the movie

Four image Galleries- Movie Stills, Posters and Lobby Cards, Behind the Scenes, and Newspaper Ads
Radio spots, 7 TV spots, and theatrical trailer.

There is a hour long panel discussion with some crew of the movie (and the daughter of Dino De Laurentis after an anniversary screening of the movie which can be found of the Television Cut disc.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Scream Factory delivers with another great blu-ray collector's edition with the 1976 KING KONG. It would make for a good triple feature with peter Jackson's KING KONG and KONG: SKULL ISLAND if you have all day (and bonus points if you also watch GODZILLA VS. KONG after the big KING KONG marathon).

This review is (c)6-11-2021 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com