King Kong (1976 film)
Remake of the 1933 giant ape film.
In 1976, an American adventure monster film titled *King Kong* was released, directed by John Guillermin. This movie is a reimagining of the 1933 original, which tells the story of a colossal ape that is caught and brought to New York City to be put on display. The cast includes Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange. Carlo Rambaldi handled the mechanical effects, while Rick Baker contributed the makeup effects and also played the role of King Kong. This film is a standalone remake, not part of a numbered series.
The concept for this remake came about in 1974 from Michael Eisner, then an ABC executive. He pitched the idea separately to Sidney Sheinberg, CEO of Universal Pictures, and Barry Diller, CEO of Paramount Pictures. Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis quickly secured the film rights from RKO-General and hired television writer Lorenzo Semple Jr. to write the script. John Guillermin was chosen as director, and filming ran from January to August 1976. Prior to the film's release, Universal Pictures sued De Laurentiis and RKO-General, claiming a breach of contract, and tried to develop their own version of *King Kong*. In response, De Laurentiis and RKO-General filed separate countersuits against Universal, but all legal actions were settled in November 1976.
The movie came out on December 17, 1976, receiving mixed reviews from critics but performing well at the box office, earning $91 million on a budget of $23–24 million. It won a noncompetitive Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. A follow-up, *King Kong Lives*, was released in 1986.
The plot follows Fred Wilson, an executive at the Petrox Oil Company, who organizes an expedition based on infrared images showing a hidden island in the Indian Ocean, concealed by a permanent cloud bank. Wilson believes the island holds a massive oil deposit. Jack Prescott, a primate paleontologist, sneaks onto the ship and tries to warn the team not to go, citing a final message from earlier doomed explorers about "the roar of the greatest beast." Wilson locks Prescott up, suspecting him of being a spy for a rival company, but later hires him as the expedition's photographer. Prescott spots a life raft carrying an unconscious woman named Dwan, who later explains she is an aspiring actress whose director's yacht exploded. Kon
- Release date
- December 17, 1976
- Director
- John Guillermin
- Budget
- $23–24 million
- Box office
- $91 million
- Genre
- Adventure monster film
- Country
- United States
- Notable awards
- Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
Lore & Background
The idea to remake King Kong was conceived in 1974 by Michael Eisner, then an ABC executive, who separately proposed it to Universal Pictures CEO Sidney Sheinberg and Paramount Pictures CEO Barry Diller. Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis quickly acquired the film rights from RKO-General and hired television writer Lorenzo Semple Jr. to write the script. Filming lasted from January to August 1976. Before release, Universal Pictures sued De Laurentiis and RKO-General alleging breach of contract, and attempted to develop their own remake; countersuits were settled in November 1976.
The plot follows Fred Wilson, an executive of the Petrox Oil Company, who leads an expedition to a hidden island based on infrared imagery. There, a giant ape named Kong is captured and taken to New York, where he escapes and famously climbs the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
Reader's Guide
King Kong (1976) is significant as a major remake of the classic 1933 film, updating the story for a contemporary audience and capitalizing on the then-ongoing energy crisis by replacing the filmmaker with a petroleum corporation. The film was a solid box office success, grossing $91 million against a $23–24 million budget, and won a Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It was also nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. The production was marked by legal disputes between Universal Pictures and De Laurentiis, which were resolved before release. The film's legacy includes launching the career of Jessica Lange and influencing later entries in the King Kong franchise, including a sequel, King Kong Lives (1986). Its use of the World Trade Center as a climactic setting became iconic, though the film received mixed reviews from critics.
Did You Know?
- The film won a noncompetitive Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
- Rick Baker portrayed King Kong and also handled makeup effects.
- The climax was set on top of the newly constructed World Trade Center.
- The film's budget was $23–24 million and it grossed $91 million at the box office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is King Kong (1976)?
It is a standalone American adventure monster film released on December 17, 1976, directed by John Guillermin. The movie reimagines the 1933 giant ape story rather than continuing a numbered series.
Who played King Kong in the 1976 film?
Makeup artist Rick Baker both created Kong's appearance and performed as the ape inside the suit. Carlo Rambaldi separately handled the mechanical effects for the creature.
How does the story of King Kong (1976) end?
The narrative follows the familiar arc in which the colossal ape is captured and transported to New York City to be exhibited to the public. Kong's story concludes with his death after the spectacle of his captivity.
Who stars in King Kong (1976)?
The principal cast includes Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange. The film was produced on a budget of roughly $23 to $24 million.
Why is King Kong (1976) important to fans?
The project was conceived by Michael Eisner back in 1974 and became one of the most expensive monster films of its era. It went on to earn approximately $91 million at the box office, proving the 1933 legend still had massive commercial appeal.
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