King Kong, originally released in 1933, has remained one of the most iconic and influential films in cinematic history. Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the story of a giant ape captured from a mysterious island and brought to civilization has been told and retold through multiple remakes. Despite its fantastical premise, King Kong has captivated audiences for decades due to its thrilling action sequences, groundbreaking special effects, and tragic storyline.
The endings of the various versions of King Kong are key to the narrative’s emotional resonance, often blending themes of love, tragedy, and the consequences of human ambition. This article will explore in detail how King Kong concludes, focusing on the endings of the 1933 original film, the 1976 remake, and Peter Jackson’s 2005 version. Each film’s ending reflects its respective era’s filmmaking and storytelling conventions but shares the same basic tragic outcome.
1. The Original 1933 King Kong
Introduction to the 1933 Film
The original King Kong from 1933 is a black-and-white film that marked a new era in special effects. Using stop-motion animation, the film’s depiction of Kong and his interactions with the human characters amazed audiences. The story revolves around filmmaker Carl Denham, who sets out to find and capture an enormous creature rumored to live on a remote island. Accompanying him is the beautiful Ann Darrow, played by Fay Wray, who becomes the object of Kong’s affection after the giant ape is captured and brought to New York City.
Build-up to the Climactic Ending
Throughout the film, Kong demonstrates both monstrous strength and an oddly sympathetic side. After being captured on Skull Island, Kong is brought back to New York, where Denham plans to make him the star attraction in a show. However, Kong’s captivity does not last long, as he escapes, causing mayhem in the city. He searches for Ann, whom he sees as the one familiar figure in an otherwise strange world.
Kong’s attachment to Ann becomes his tragic flaw. Despite the destruction he causes, his motivation is not entirely evil. His obsession with protecting Ann from harm and his confusion in the face of human cruelty make him a tragic character. As Kong scales the Empire State Building with Ann in hand, the audience is made to feel sympathy for the beast, even as his fate becomes increasingly inevitable.
The Tragic Climax: Kong on the Empire State Building
In the film’s climactic sequence, Kong climbs to the top of the Empire State Building, holding Ann in his hand. His powerful yet desperate attempt to escape the forces pursuing him is a high point of tension and emotional complexity. As biplanes circle around the building, firing at him, Kong fights back, swatting at the planes to defend himself and Ann. Despite his incredible strength and agility, the number of planes and their constant gunfire begin to wear him down.
This scene is more than just a display of Kong’s physical prowess; it is a moment that encapsulates the tragedy of his situation. The skyscraper, a symbol of human achievement, becomes a death trap for the giant ape, who is merely trying to survive in a world that does not understand him. The more Kong struggles, the clearer it becomes that his downfall is inevitable.
Kong’s Death
In the end, Kong is overwhelmed by the relentless attacks from the planes. Mortally wounded, he begins to lose his grip on the Empire State Building. In one of the most iconic shots in film history, Kong, with Ann in his hand, gently sets her down on a ledge before plummeting to his death.
The film closes with Carl Denham arriving at the scene of Kong’s death. When someone remarks that the planes got Kong, Denham famously responds, “It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.” This final line emphasizes the central theme of the film: Kong’s downfall was not caused solely by human technology or violence but by his uncontrollable attachment to Ann. In the end, his love for her led him to New York, where he met his tragic end.
See also: Where Can I Watch The New King Kong Movie?
2. The 1976 Remake
Introduction to the 1976 Film
The 1976 remake of King Kong directed by John Guillermin brings the story into the modern era of the time. The plot follows the same general outline as the original, with some notable changes to the setting and characters. The expedition to capture Kong is now an oil company venture rather than a filmmaking expedition. Jessica Lange plays the female lead, Dwan, and Kong is once again brought to the United States to be put on display.
This version of King Kong takes place during a period of technological and corporate expansion, with a focus on the relationship between humanity, nature, and exploitation. The film’s special effects, though an upgrade from the 1933 version, rely heavily on a man in a suit rather than stop-motion animation. The result is a different kind of Kong, one that is both more human and more tragic.
Climax on the World Trade Center
The 1976 remake replaces the Empire State Building with the newly constructed World Trade Center towers. The climax plays out similarly to the original film, with Kong escaping captivity in New York and scaling one of the towers while holding Dwan.
Just like the original, this Kong is attacked by military forces—this time, helicopters. The sequence mirrors the tragedy of the original film but updates it for a 1970s audience. As Kong swats at the helicopters, desperately trying to protect himself and Dwan, the audience once again feels a mix of fear and sympathy for the giant ape.
Kong’s Death in the 1976 Remake
Kong’s death in this version is equally heartbreaking. After being shot repeatedly by the helicopters, Kong weakens and falls to his death from the World Trade Center. The shot of his massive body lying broken on the ground is reminiscent of the 1933 version, but the use of modern skyscrapers and military helicopters gives it a contemporary feel.
In this remake, the theme of beauty and the beast remains central. The relationship between Kong and Dwan is more explicitly romantic, with Kong’s attachment to her framed as one of love and desire rather than simple curiosity. As with the original film, Kong’s death is both tragic and inevitable, a commentary on the destructive consequences of human greed and exploitation.
3. Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong
Introduction to the 2005 Film
Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake of King Kong takes the original story and expands upon it with modern filmmaking techniques and a more detailed backstory. This version is more faithful to the 1933 film, with Jack Black playing a more modern version of Carl Denham and Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow. The film features state-of-the-art CGI effects that bring Kong to life in a way that was previously impossible.
Jackson’s version delves deeper into the emotional relationship between Kong and Ann. Kong is portrayed as more than just a beast; he is a sentient creature with feelings and a sense of loyalty. This adds a new layer of tragedy to the story, making his death even more emotionally resonant.
Climax on the Empire State Building
In this version, the climactic sequence once again takes place on the Empire State Building, a nod to the original 1933 film. The emotional tension is heightened as Kong, pursued by biplanes, climbs the building with Ann in tow. The visuals are stunning, with sweeping shots of the New York skyline and Kong’s desperate attempts to protect Ann from the planes.
One key difference in the 2005 film is the way the relationship between Ann and Kong is portrayed. Ann, in this version, comes to care for Kong and sees him not just as a monster but as a misunderstood creature. As he fights off the planes, her emotional anguish is palpable. This version of Kong’s death is made even more tragic by the fact that Ann does not want him to die. She sees him as a friend, someone who protected her, and her screams as the planes attack Kong add to the emotional weight of the scene.
Kong’s Death and Final Moments
Kong’s death in the 2005 film is visually stunning and emotionally powerful. As in the previous versions, Kong is overwhelmed by the planes, and after a long and exhausting battle, he succumbs to his wounds. The camera lingers on his face as he falls from the Empire State Building, showing his sadness and exhaustion in his final moments.
Jackson’s film ends with the same famous line: “It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.” However, this version adds a layer of emotional complexity, as Ann’s feelings for Kong are more developed. The beauty that killed the beast is not just Ann’s physical beauty but her kindness and humanity, which made Kong vulnerable in a world that had no place for him.
Conclusion
Across its various versions, King Kong tells the story of a creature caught between two worlds. His immense power is contrasted by his vulnerability, and his tragic end is a reminder of the consequences of human ambition, exploitation, and the misunderstanding of nature. While the specific details of his death may differ from one version to the next, the core themes remain the same: the beauty and the beast, the tragedy of misunderstood monsters, and the inevitable downfall of those who challenge the natural order.
Each iteration of King Kong has updated the story to reflect its era’s cultural and technological landscape, but the ending remains a consistent and powerful moment in cinematic history. Whether on the Empire State Building or the World Trade Center, Kong’s death is a defining moment that leaves audiences reflecting on the cost of human ambition and the beauty in tragedy.
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