The King

In the 1930’s there came a story about a 50 foot ape and a damsel in distress. The horror/fantasy and adventure film version of beauty and the beast was a record setting box office success and made the horror film industry come to life. Starring Fay Wray as the damsel and directed by Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoesdack, the record setting film used unique camera techniques and a low budget for a successful horror film. The great success of the movie spurred on other horror films as well as the sub-genre of “giant beast” films in Japan.

Since the films first release, there has been several re-releases which bring in slight changes to the original cut. There has also been many different takes on the story. Peter Jackson, the director known for his film trilogy Lord of the Rings, gives King Kong a lot of credit for his wanting to be in the film-making business. He showed his love for this movie by his own remake of the original film.

King Kong undoubtedly deserves to be on the list of impactful impact. Its greatest impact was on the horror film industry. The movie utilizes suspense to tell the story of the beauty and great beast.

Simple Beginnings

Films began as silent, black and white motion pictures with nothing but music to listen to as the audience watched the scenes unravel. Due to the inability to have script in a movie, the filmmakers and actors had to use excessively dramatic expressions in order to convey the story. The first film was produced in 1885, and it simply portrayed a train arriving at the station. This was the kick start for many short films after and led to films such as The Birth of  a Nation, which was released in 1915 and was over 3 hours in length. The Birth of a Nation was the first film to display the true ability for the cinematic industry. The film made over 18 million dollars over 20 years which was the highest grossing film until Snow White and her dwarves waltzed into the industry. The Birth of a Nation had evident and oppressive racial implications, which was controversial then as well as now, but that does not negate the cinematic genius that the film was. The film makers used camera techniques which are still used today such as close ups and fade outs. With the films great success and ground breaking techniques, The Birth of a Nation easily makes its way into the list of influential films.

References: (http://www.filmsite.org/mostinfluentialfilms2.html)

 

The Movie Topic

I chose this topic because I enjoy watching and learning about movies. There is a lot of information on the film industry, and there is a lot that is put into making a film. The industry has an illustrious history of significant movies which shaped human thought and attitude. There are now movies coming out every week, all around the world, each putting itself into the histories of film making. The stories, and how they are told, is what catches the interest of the millions of viewers. Movies have negative and positive effects on our minds. They teach us in a discreet manner while keeping our interest.