King Kong (1976) | Movie Reaction | First Time Watching | DWAN!?!?

[@RodimusPrimal]

Fun fact, Peter Cullen who voices Optimus Prime did many of the gorilla growls in this movie. Also, my dad was at the base of the WTC when Kong's body was there. In HD he pointed himself out.

[@TheMormonSorceress]

Dang that guy has quite the vocal range.

[@terryhughes7349]

This was a good rendition of Kong. Love the scene when Jeff Bridges narrates the island history. John Barry soundtrack knocks it out of the park.

[@shanester1832]

I've been listening to that periodically. I would've definitely had it on vinyl in the day. It's a very solid score.

[@scottmoore1614]

As a child of the 70s, this film was huge. It came out after Jaws and before Star Wars. Great time to grow up. I always liked this version a lot.

[@williambryan3346]

@2:23 That’s Jack O’Halloran. He went on to play “Non”, General Zod’s partner-in-crime, in Superman and Superman II.

[@IanFindly-iv1nl]

I'll give THIS version one thing. Kong's death scene is a lot more dramatic and poignant here than in any other version, And pretty violent and gory too.

[@jimtatro6550]

I saw this theatrically in 1976 when I was nine years old. The ending made me cry my eyes out with the sound of the heartbeat.😂

[@shainewhite2781]

This was the very first version of King Kong I watched on the WB Network back in 1999. I loved every minute of it! This won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects at the 1977 Academy Awards, tied with Logan's Run.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I saw this in the theater, when I was 9. I remember thinking it was a lot of fun. I also remember thinking that Jeff Bridges looked so cool & Jessica Lange was really pretty, which was a relatively new thought for me to have about girls at that time🤣

[@ghostsquirrel8739]

This is my favorite version of Kong. I’ve always thought this movie doesn’t get enough credit.

[@DicnballzBitch]

This and Casablanca are the only DVDs I own

[@TboneTenEighties]

Yes I agree

[@paulconnett3654]

I watched as a child for King Kong. And I was not disappointed but Utterly Thrilled! And of course fell in Love/Lust with Jessica Lange.x (The Postman Always Rings Twice). But great acting all around..

[@chucksmash1]

Thanks for another awesome reaction video..! I saw this film in the theater with my parents when I was 6 years old. I was terrified of that giant snake, and those scenes gave me nightmares for months and months after seeing them. Also, while watching the movie, even being so young, I was quite struck by the beauty of Jessica Lange. My evil mom attempted to cover my eyes during the nude scenes, but my all-powerful dad shut her efforts down pretty quick, thankfully! Anyhow, looking back, it's still a fun movie, and now it's even better with the hilarious commentary of the two of you. Thanks again.

[@bri.g.5105]

lot of hate for this one but i always liked it and the universal studios ride they had for it.

[@darrenrunning5415]

Rick Baker, who played Kong, wanted King to look more like a real gorilla, but Dino de Laurentis insisted that Kong walk on two legs. If you want to see what the original King costume might have looked like, watch "Kentucky Fried Movie." The gorilla in the morning show segment is played by Rick Baker and his name is "Dino" as a swipe at de Laurentis.

[@theTemplar08]

Guy that says oil will be ready in 10,000 years played Odo on Star Trek deep space 9

[@3912James]

Also in Benson and one of the Police Academy movies.

[@QuayNemSorr]

This was the first version of King Kong I saw as a little kid. I cried my eyes out when Kong died.

[@McPh1741]

Did you ever watch the sequel 'King Kong Lives"?

[@kevmodee1866]

Me too.

[@Pikkuu]

"No one cry when Jaws die but when the monkey die, people gonna cry." - Dino de Laurentis

[@kevmodee1866]

@@Pikkuu well Jaws didn't fall in love, and didn't get invaded and kidnapped then exploited. He just brutally attacked and killed. Hardly a comparison bud!

[@ch.s.6756]

Same here

[@3912James]

Despite being 9 in 1976....this King Kong movie version remain my absolute favorite. The soundtrack was equally as powerful as the movie.

[@PaleoFiles]

For what it is, this remake of King Kong is severely underrated

[@scottmoore1614]

I totally agree. It’s my favorite version behind the original with Fay Wray.

[@TboneTenEighties]

Absolutely yes

[@sebastianemond5313]

Also had the late Charles Grodin too.

[@Ken19700]

Kong is a guy in a gorilla suit

[@scottmoore1614]

@@Ken19700 Very well done for the time.

[@matthewdunham1689]

One of the most beautiful and talented actresses of all time! ❤

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

I was 9 when I first saw this, and I immediately fell in love with the iconic Jessica Lange. Decades later, I haven't stopped loving her.

[@shawnholland8251]

My mom showed me this film when I was young maybe like 8 or 9 I’m 24 now and it’s probably my favorite Kong movie

[@parallaxnick637]

My favourite story about this movie: Dino di Laurentiis's son had seen Meryl Streep in a play (this was before anyone knew who she was) and brought her in as a possible Dwan. Dino snorted in Italian, "Perché mi hai portato questa cosa brutta?" ("Why did you bring me this ugly thing?") She shot back in Italian that she understood what he had said and apologized that she wasn't beautiful enough for [dripping with scorn] *King Kong* .

[@ShadowSonic2]

I saw that Graham Norton episode, funny stuff!

[@CarloisBuriedAlive]

I like Streep and it was an incredibly rude comment by Laurentiis but a part of me feels like if she saw Kong as a beast that didn’t deserve beauty in this “beauty and beast” story then she probably wasn’t right for the part anyway lol And I say that with seriousness because Lange took the role seriously and used criticism for her performance to become a better actress

[@robertmcghintheorca49]

And just for fun, look at Meryl Streep at age 75, and then look at Pamela Anderson at age 57, and tell me who looks prettier.

[@jeffwright4491]

Saw this as a kid in the theater in 76...went for Kong and left with a huge crush on Jessica Lange. Still my favorite version of Kong.

[@Jordashian93]

I loved this movie and I cannot wait for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

[@davidcorriveau8615]

Ah Kong, I probably saw this on cable at some point in HS, so early 80's, film inspired a lifelong affection for Jessica Lange...

[@AdamLopez-m6c]

When the original came out on TV, I was very young and I asked my mom if the dancers were King Kongs babies and my step dad burst out laughing 😂

[@chotzrary]

😮😮😮😂😂😂😂😂😂 the image in my head while reading this had me LOL.

[@chucksmash1]

That's freaking HILARIOUS..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😂

[@kpj9535]

everyone thought Jessica Lang was brainless after this but then she made Tootsie and later Rob Roy and blew everyone away.

[@downunderrob]

After this she took time off and went to Acting school, learned her craft and came back a powerhouse.

[@shanester1832]

It's a risky move to play an airhead. It's something that sticks and lingers. Keanu Reeves still has some Ted stink on him 25 years later.

[@jediprettyboy]

The Postman Always Rings Twice is what got people to take her more seriously as a good actress. That was just before Tootsie. Losing Isaiah with Haley Berry is a good one as well.

[@hemlock399]

I really enjoy her performance in this film.

[@FrancisXLord]

Jessica Lange got a lot of flack from critics about her performance in this film, which I always thought was entirely unfair considering this was her first film. Some years later she would reverse critical opinion when she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Tootsie (1982).

[@anthonycairo9202]

This is by far my favorite King Kong movie. I remember back in the 80s when I was a kid I would watch this movie on VHS almost every night in my room.

[@blackpowder99]

I was like 5 yrs old , I remember this merch being the first shirt I picked out for myself, and I still love King Kong at 53.

[@ianblake815]

First comment of mine is that this is a great retelling ok King Kong. Second statement is that Jessica Lange is a real bombshell beauty in this.

[@McPh1741]

In all the King Kong versions, I've never understood why they put a door on the wall big enough for him to fit through. I think "Kong Skull Island" was the first movie not to do that.

[@ScooterBond1970]

I think there's some fan theories about that. When they were first building the wall Kong would (obvs) have full run of the place, and he happened to be inside the wall when they "finished" it so they had to make a door to let him out. Doesn't explain why they didn't patch the door afterward tho.

[@robnorman1365]

@@ScooterBond1970 finally someone agrees with me , peter jacksons king kong he has more of draw bridge than a big door ideal for big monsters to enter hahaha

[@gregjarnigan3515]

I got offered a role as a soldier in 'King Kong Lives,' but my Mom didn't tell me they called. So pissed at her.

[@MrGpschmidt]

*Not JAWS - that's Jack O' Halloran who played the mute villain in the first 2 SUPERMAN films. *48 plus feet tall (wow you're very bad at basic math). Rick Baker, the acclaimed make-up artist, is the man in the gorilla costume (sadly the ginormous robotic Kong is literally onscreen for only a few minutes outside its hands and arms w/Jessica Lange etc. - the robotic Kong basically kept malfunctioning not unlike Bruce in JAWS and couldn't be used - Kong was created by Carlo Rimbaldi who would also create E.T.). This is Lange's film debut - she had a tough time on the film physically - at one point while in Kong's palm the other hand nearly broke her spine (!). This is one of my fave films when I was a kid (saw it in theatres w/my family and even bought the vinyl soundtrack; Lange became one of my lifelong crushes). When it made its TV debut on NBC it was one of the first world events to use surround sound stereo (!!) for the medium. Re: the native ceremony - no the headdress is not meant to be 'blonde' - when they saw Dwan they knew she'd make a unique sacrifice for Kong and he'd be very pleased (as its uttered in the first film 'blondes are kinda scarce 'round here'). The theatrical version shows Kong stomp Charles Grodin and you don't see his crushed corpse; the TV version shows his hat. There was also supposed to be more dinosaurs/creatures on Skull Island but they could only use the snake and only a few scenes were included. If you haven't seen the 1933 original you so need to remedy that as well as Peter Jackson's epic remake. And how could you not cry at the end of this film?

[@deadbynightupbylunch]

Fun Fact: Peter Cullen (the voice of Optimus Prime) provided the vocals for King Kong. Not so fun fact: During one of the recording sessions he injured his vocal cords so much doing the roars he coughed up blood.

[@larryparks1520]

[@ColeSlaw-rg1gd]

The full-figure mechanical ape wasn't used much on screen because it was still the EARLY days of animatronics and they were a bit crude and limited at THIS point. The technique hadn't yet developed to a point where something like THAT could be effectively pulled off. It was groundbreaking but overambitious and not feasible for the time. Same thing pretty much with Jaws - another movie from about the same time period featuring an early animatron that ended up getting its screen time reduced due to limited function.

[@DudeMcGuybro]

"or King Kong standing on top of the Twin Towers!" Oh.

[@dennytate26]

I usually don't like watching reactors with more than one person, they mostly just take up to much time talking to each other, but you guys are a great team and are so funny together

[@YouMeTheMovies]

Thanks Denny!

[@MoMoMyPup10]

They do the same thing, and even here with trying to figure out where they saw an actor before this. But there are solos out there that don't need a partner -- they do the talking of three people

[@robertbermudez4526]

​@@YouMeTheMoviesreact to disney 1998 remake of mighty joe young then react to peter Jackson's king kong 2005 and finally react to congo 1995 film please happy Easter

[@livingcorpse5664]

"He's got a thing for blondes" "Yeah but how would they know?" If I had to guess, they weren't the first visitors the island has had. Probably shipwrecks in the past or explores who all died.

[@ScooterBond1970]

My counter-guess would be something we like to call Uniqueness Value. The natives have (likely) never seen a blonde white woman before and are fascinated by her; Kong, by extension, has also never seen a blonde white woman and they assume he will be equally fascinated.

[@cesarnarro6013]

Maybe it was on his Tinder profile 🤓

[@Mr.Aficionado87]

This was the first version I ever saw - so warts and all - it still holds a special place in my heart. The Kong facial animatronics on the suit are great, the location photography is stunning and John Barry's score is beautiful. I also have come to appreciate the tongue -in-cheek approach with the dialogue. Was thrilled when Shout Factory FINALLY gave it a proper HD release !

[@PrimeSportsNetwork]

We all know this is a man in a monkey suit, but I still prefer it to the CGI version because when you look at his eyes you know they are real, which makes this Kong feel more real to me overall.

[@jaymanuel3396]

This is the Kong I grew up with. Loved Bridges and Lange, the effects and especially the music score.

[@MirrorDomains]

So many good things in this version! Jessica Lange and Jeff Bridges knock it out of the park, plus I really liked the soundtrack!

[@tonyloyd3350]

This one was my favorite movies when I was a kid! My mom still brings up that the 1st time I cried at a movie was when Kong dies. I love Peter Jackson's as well, but this is still the best for me

[@qwaurk985]

I remember going to see this as a toddler with the family. It was an experience with all kinds of merchandise in the lobby. My brother had a poster that he had for years. I still have the stuffed Kong I got that night. It will always be my favorite Kong movie.

[@BlankSpace83]

„Finally a Woman on the boat!“ 😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheMrSarcastic]

Either Dawn’s mother was dyslexic, or Kong wanted a Queen Dwan.

[@Facehugger-LV-426]

Man I love this one. As a kid we had to buy the VHS tape version two or three times due to me watching it so much. This and the 80's Godzilla, unfortunately that one is lost in licensing hell from what I've heard.

[@Packard63]

I remember watching this in the cinema back in 1976 when i was 12. For that time the effects were fantastic....... especially on the big screen.

[@brianoconnell6459]

Hah! I knew that actor looked familiar, Rene Aubejenois, AKA Odo on Star Trek DS9, Father Mulcahey in the movie "M.A.S.H.", the reporter bonged out on LSD in Where the Buffalo Roam, and many many more roles. He played Bagley, the guy making fun of mustache dude for "Not scoring the big one".

[@0PsychosisMedia0]

He was on the TV show Benson as well...I think.

[@sweetteatruckin3202]

❤ childhood favorite

[@sweetteatruckin3202]

But didn't age well

[@ptittannique5621]

"Skip ads" -- Hah, good one!

[@willv7868]

I was so excited when this came out. I was in middle school in 76. I still have the collector cards that came out at that time. I don't know if they're worth anything though.

[@travismorris9303]

Jessica Lange in this movie 😍❤❤

[@suproliver]

Rene Auberjonois is also in this movie. He's best known for playing the shape shifter Odo in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine! -OG

[@oldhollywoodfan8009]

OMG when Jessica Lange said “don’t put me down, don’t put me down, they’ll kill you”!💔 My tears started! Then when she was crying and screaming at the pilots “you’re killing him!!!”💔 Ugh my heart broke! And then when he rolls off! Breaks my heart still to this day!💔

[@NazaLoca]

I saw this King Kong movie when I was right (32 now) and it's my favorite and still love it👌🏻

[@chrisgrove7829]

As others have mentioned, this was also my first foray into King Kong as a kid. Because of this film, for the longest time, I thought that all gorillas were 50 feet tall and walked upright:)

[@seanspalding9296]

I seem to remember that the week of 9/11/2001, this version was scheduled to be on one of the cable TV channels. Then the attack happened, and that channel didn't air the movie. I know for sure at that time there was a theatrical movie preview for a Spider Man movie where he strings up the bad guys between the Twin Towers. That preview got pulled and a new one ran in its place.

[@scorpiouk5914]

Grew up watching Jessica Lange. She plays crazy pretty well. But she is a great overall actress. Some of my favorite movies of hers are lesser known movies. "Country" (with Sam Shepherd ", " Crimes of the Heart's (with Sam Shepherd, Sissy Spacek and Diane Keaton) and "One Thousand Acres" (with Michelle Pfeiffer).

[@bug5317]

Back when I was a kid this movie was on TV a LOT. I LOVED Kong so much and would cry cry cry cry cry every time! Probs why I love Kong more than Godzilla. So good!

[@davisphillips993]

“When Jaws dies, nobody cry. When Kong dies, everybody cry.” -Producer Dino De Laurentiis

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

What's weird is that I worked at a theater showing the godawful sequel "King Kong Lives". They had a giant inflatable Kong on top of the building and it freaked me out when I first saw it. What a waste.

[@dad_jokes_4ever226]

Its not jaws from James Bond its the mute henchman of General Zod in Superman 2

[@MLJ7956]

'Non' from Superman 1 & 2 (and the Terror from 'Hero & The Terror' with Chuck Norris) was played by Jack O'Halloran...Jaws from James Bond movies 'The Spy Who Loved Me' & 'Moonraker' and the construction boss 'Happy Gilmore' was Richard Kiel....

[@nickstark8640]

Meryl Streep auditioned for the role of Dwan and was ultimately turned down. According to Meryl she wasn’t chosen because of her looks. She wasn’t beautiful enough she said.

[@LenOliver-yz6os]

I can believe that Meryl cant hold a candle to Lange when it comes to hotness.

[@martinbraun1211]

🖖🖖🏻🖖🏼🖖🏽🖖🏾🖖🏿

[@Raven5150]

so the DUDE just has PTSD from seeing what they did to long makes since why he so not bothered any more

[@mikechevy9307]

Saw this in 1976 at age five. Jessica Lange made me feel things I did not understand.

[@rodchavoya]

that explains why I'm into blondes!

[@bigbow62]

--> and this movie was based off the original... King Kong (1933) The King of all King Kong movies ! You gotta start with the original classic man 🙂👍

[@YouMeTheMovies]

We've seen it.

[@scottwilson3741]

Great reaction guys. I used to have the discs of this movie for my Viewmaster (anybody remember those?) I also remember the commercial when this was going to air on network tv. The narrator was like, King. Kong. LOVES. Jessica. Lange. There was an emphasis on the word loves lol

[@greyinvader]

Damn. Jessica Lange was smokin hot in the 70s.😮

[@suproliver]

I think it's really cool that you guys tend to watch movies that other First Time watchers never do. Like Superman: The Movie, Conan, Beastmaster, Red Sonja, and now the 70s version of King Kong with Jeff Bridges. This film was awesome for its day. But who can compete with modern effects?? It's like Christopher Reeve Superman effects to Henry Cavill Man of Steel effects. Not comparing the actors. Just the effects. Of course, there's just no contest. 2013 effects will trump effects from 1978. It's gonna be the same with this movie comparing it to the Peter Jackson King Kong or the Legendary Kong: Skull Island monsterverse film. I'm guessing that's why First Time watchers don't bother. But I think it's important to view the old to appreciate the new. You guys do that. Kudos 👌on you for doing so! -OG

[@Dontuween]

This was to be one of two King Kong movies in the late 1970s. Universal was to do the other version, set back in 1933, with stop-motion by Jim Danforth, but that fell through. Universal would eventually release their King Kong movie in 2005 with Peter Jackson.

[@cleonmagabeefy8500]

I loved it, thank you again😊😊😊

[@ek9509]

I actually just found out that your husband (The Kaiju Cowboy) reviewed the original Merian C. Cooper film from 1933. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nITCXneAdrBgqqM. Now you both need to check out Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake, and we should be covered with all the three main films.

[@davidge5856]

PLEASE watch a double feature of King Kong Lives and the Mark Wahlberg film The Big Hit back to back. They have almost nothing in common, but surprisingly, Kong plays a role in both, lol.

[@donaldcordner1936]

I thought Jessica Lange was great in this movie. I saw it on TV for the first time as a kid, and granted, I was besotted with how beautiful she was, but still. Every time I see this movie, I always think she did a great job. Now, Mrs. Movies ... about the "plow" joke. Tisk Tisk young lady. But, I'm sure you've given Mr. Movies a lot of fuel for thought tonight. Ahem.

[@MrAitraining]

Oh when I was kid seeing this and Jessica Lang 😍

[@Arcannabis]

I saw the black and white one first, then this one when I was like 7 or 8. Loved both, but I have to say, Peter Jackson’s adaption is my all time favorite.

[@PerryCJamesUK]

Always reminds me of the King Homer section in the Simpsons Treehouse of Horror. Women and Seamen don't mix!

[@zardox78]

I think people are just more annoyed by Dwan as a character. I mean Jessica Lange did her job as an actress. Dwan is just frustratingly stupid, the way she's written to be. It does make you appreciate Naomi Watts' character (whatever her name was) in the Peter Jackson version. She was smart. She caught on really quick to the fact that it paid to be on Kong's good side. And then she refused to be part of the big exploitation show. You like her more simply because she's written to be likable.

[@gswithen]

Jessica Lange. My first time seeing boobie. I was 9. Good times. Went to NYC shortly thereafter and visited The Twin Towers with my Dad.

[@grabtharshammer]

Wedding ceremony? or Sacrifice ceremony? - could be both ... ... aren't they the same thing?

[@rogerhallii8352]

I was 9yo when this came out. I first saw it on TV early 80's. Is this why I like white girls? Jessica Lang.

[@jocelynastheart2732]

When Cong falls off the world trade center and you yelled watched outtttt bellow I spit out my coffee LOL!

[@Raven5150]

The famous line beauty killed the beast was in the original verson but long stepped on the man who was supposed to have said it but he wasn't the right character anyway sorry the 33 verson is better

[@ktown64]

I prefer the original 1933 King Kong and the Peter Jackson version.

[@TheLecherling-hu1vu]

Animatronics were in their infancy when this flick was made. In fact Jaws was the only other movie at the time that used it, and that movie had problems with it too.

[@Raven5150]

There is an old Japanese Godzilla vs long movie that is not bad but man in ape suit vs man in lizard suit is what it is, corny? Yes but still good

[@davidbecker2536]

The original kind Kong was the best it was black and white in it was fantastic the year 1933.

[@mwflanagan1]

Interesting that this movie came out about the time of Pet Rocks - any statement being made by using the name Petrox Petroleum?

[@mauriceedwards9588]

I think I saw this in Malta while on holiday I was shocked at Jessica Lange nudatiy I was only 8 or 9 at the time.

[@pdbordelon]

The dialogue in this movie is so cheesy - but I wouldn't have it any other way!

[@georgewaterman1925]

30 years since you last watched beethoven?! I think we need a beethoven week!

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome reaction of my favorite King Kong movie!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@feldweible]

THIS is without peer as the worst of the King Kong origin films.

[@johndawhale3197]

Best thing about this movie is the poster...and Jessica Lange.

[@willlyon7129]

You should react to the 2005 version of King Kong.

[@lillyaltland4359]

Jessica Lange was so gorgeous in this, King Kong did nothing wrong.

[@KalanMiller]

Jessica Lange was hot in this movie. She was in her prime at the time

[@jeffluoma3594]

Love this movie. I had a huge crush on Jessica Lange.

[@NickMeagher-em1bs]

I remember seeing this as a kid, and i cried a bit when Kong died