King Kong (1976)

Friday, February 25 - Saturday, February 26, 2011

“Dino De Laurentiis’s $25-million remake of “King Kong” is inoffensive, uncomplicated fun, as well as a dazzling display of what the special-effects people can do when commissioned to construct a 40-foot-tall ape who can walk, make fondling gestures, is slightly cross-eyed, and smiles a lot.

“John Guillermin, the director, and Lorenzo Semple Jr., the writer, display real affection for old-time movie magic and nonsense that come through in spite of a physical production only slightly less elaborate than that of Elizabeth Taylor’s “Cleopatra.”

“What sort, exactly, is this movie? It’s a series of big, foolish but entertaining spectacle scenes, such as the natives of that uncharted Pacific island prancing around, doing pagan fertility dances that suggest 1950’s Broadway musicals. It’s the sight of the mighty Kong picking up Dwan (Jessica Lange) in the palm of his hand and washing her off under a jungle waterfall, then fiddling curiously with her bra. It’s Kong going amok in New York City, looking for Dwan, grabbing up a subway car and rattling it like a gourd, then trudging south to the World Trade Center, where he ultimately meets his fate.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times

• Country USA
• Language English
• Rating PG
• Year 1976
• Running Time 134 minutes
• Director John Guillermin

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.