Film Review: King Kong

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The original film of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack's King Kong (1933) was an absolutely classic story that was remade and became a base to construct other versions off of it. Although the Kong plot has remained the same and is a memorable journey to relive in newer versions, one of the things that has changed over the years is the controversy around certain context. Race is a factor in this movie that is depicted rather illicitly, at least when watched today. "It is, by today’s standards, ridiculously racist, though Michlig notes it was more reflective of common attitudes in the 1930s than any political statement." (Zakarin, 2017) A production in that time with such extreme racial compartmentalization could be considered sane, but nowadays is cringe worthy. 

Fig. 1: King Kong Movie Poster
The African islanders where Kong lives, are presented as outcasted savages in a foreign and far away territory. The uncertainty and racist fear towards the African people is encouraged by the white Americans (The supposedly good guys in the film) whereas today, actions like that would be potentially frowned upon by a lot of viewers. The only white woman on the island; Ann, (Fay Wray) Is fought over and forcefully taken by the tribesmen, followed by them giving her to Kong, who is the dominant ape on this island, and a king to these people. Coincidentally, Kong is also black, whether this is intentional in regards to being symbolic to race, it sure isn't hard to question it. Kong is the predatorial monster who has an obsession over this white woman and an urge full of rage to have her in his hands to himself. Considering Ann is the only human he isn't trying to kill in the film, and furthermore rips off her clothes and sniffs his finger in one scene, (See Fig. 2) it's very likely that black sexual aggression is being portrayed strongly in this film in parts.

Fig. 2: King Kong Movie Still
The racial factors in this film aren't just circled around how the African tribesmen are depicted, Kong is obviously another whole big one himself. Kong is a giant ape, but represents a lot more than just a fictional monster created for entertainment. "The Black creature is fetched from the ‘uncivilized’ jungle and terrorizes the ‘civilized’ White city inhabitants." (M, 2012) He also represents the racist superstitions towards black people and at the same time, worryingly could have been encouraging these ideas and the presumptuous discrimination back in that time. "The captured monster is brought over to America to be displayed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. The capture and shipping of Kong has semblances of Slave Trade." (M, 2012) He is a king in his own territory, but has no king stature when amongst the Americans in their own city, New York. Once he breaks out of the chains and mercilessly rampages through the city, the shackle remains on his wrist, up to his final moments when he is surrounded and shot down to the ground by fighter planes. The shackle on his wrist symbolizes the captivity and the idea that once owned, ultimately he still won't get his freedom even if he does cause a bit of destruction. There are numerous factors revolving around race in this film, some obvious and some not as clear, but it is undoubtedly highlighting controversy about race that was present at that time in the world. "Perhaps the nicest thing that can be said about the racial politics of the original King Kong is that they reflect the tenor of the times, which were, alas, very racist." (Rabin, 2017)

Illustration List.
Figure. 1. Rhea B, King Kong movie poster.
(Accessed on 13/10/17)
Figure. 2. Berry R, King Kong movie still.
(Accessed on 14/10/17)

Bibliography.
(Accessed on 13/10/17)
(Accessed on 13/10/17)

Comments

  1. Jackie16 October 2017 at 01:30

    Another interesting and well thought through, review Frankie :)

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