King Kong (1933 film)/Awesome


 * King Kong (1933) is such an awesome spectacle that even today it stand up as one of the best films ever made and a Moment of Awesome not just for those involved in its production; nor just for Willis O'Brian creating Trope Codifier special effects and emotive performances that rival modern Serkis Folk in terms of character and performance; Nor for nearly single handedly saving the production company RKO Pictures from Bankruptcy during the height of The Great Depression. Between all it did, King Kong is a Moment of Awesome for the ENTIRE FILM INDUSTRY.
 * The 1933 version: the "shaking the log" scene. Take a good look at all the different elements of that scene, then remind yourself that only a decade before that scene was made, they hadn't even invented sound. And that's just one example where that occurred. The "Lair" scene before Kong battles the Plesiosaur has, using 3 different methods of compositing, one shot with mat paintings, 2 animated figures with miniature sets and live-acted figures (5 separately shot and projected, 2 actors, 2 set pieces, 1 stylistic element) all at different variable levels. Modern effects artists are in awe of that shot to this day.
 * Keep in mind, it took up to 15 hours to get a minute of film for simple sequence (The T-Rex fight in the original took 7 weeks to film). Worse, every shot had to be done as though they only had one take on it. The fact that they got this 18 inch puppet to trulyact is a miracle unto itself! Everyone who knew the head animator, Willis O'Brian, can see elements of him in Kong's performance.
 * One moment in particular would have to Kong's fight with the T.rex.