← Back to results
King Kong
1976 134 min United States of America PG 12+
★6.8
Adventure, Fantasy, Horror
Director: John Guillermin
🎭 Based on
«King Kong»
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Teaser
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
Description
An oil company expedition disturbs the peace of a giant ape and brings him back to New York to exploit him.
Budget:
$23M
US Gross:
$52.61M
Worldwide:
$90.61M
Starring
Jeff Bridges
Actor
Charles Grodin
Actor
Jessica Lange
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1977
— Special Award
Academy Awards 1977
— Special Achievement Award
Golden Globe 1977
— Best Debut Actress
Academy Awards 1977
— Best Sound
BAFTA 1977
— Best Production Design
Golden Globe 1977
— Best Debut Actress
Key opinion
The 1976 remake of King Kong remains a polarizing entry in the franchise, frequently compared unfavorably to the 1933 original while finding defenders who appreciate its unique 1970s character. Critics are deeply divided on its technical execution and tonal shifts, with debates centered on whether the film is a charming period piece or a flawed, pedestrian production.
| Acting | The film benefits from a strong central cast, with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange providing compelling performances that anchor the human drama. | |
| Theme | The decision to replace prehistoric creatures with a giant snake and shift the focus to environmental and corporate critique is viewed as a bold, interesting reimagining of the source material. | |
| Production | Opinions on the visual effects and cinematography are polarized; some praise the practical artistry for its tactile, non-CGI quality, while others find the blue-screen work and technical choices jarring and aesthetically unconvincing. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is a point of contention, with the three-hour runtime perceived by some as a well-sustained, thrilling spectacle and by others as an overlong, exhausting experience. | |
| Adaptation | Viewers disagree on the film's success as an adaptation, with some valuing its attempt to modernize the myth and others dismissing it as an unnecessary remake that lacks the soul and menace of the original. |