Topic > Comparative Analysis of the Original and Adapted Versions of King Kong

In 1933, an original film titled King Kong helped pave and shape the way the soundtrack industry is today. Max Steiner, who scored the original King Kong, introduced a non-diegetic score that complemented and strengthened the narrative, while establishing the methods and foundations that continually paved the film score. Both films have their own impact and respect, however both were introduced during two drastic times for sound films. Therefore, I will compare and contrast the two and see how both soundtracks fit into the films. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayThe original 1933 King Kong and the 2005 adaptation are seminal film scores of their era. The original came out during the first golden age of cinema, when sound cinema was just gaining traction. Directors of that era struggled with fundamentals, so many films contained only one or two diegetic cues between titles. Fast forward to 2005, we enter the era of big budget, blockbuster films with stunning cinematography, technology and special effects that help captivate audiences. The 2005 adaptation came after other popular big-budget blockbusters directed by Peter Jackson himself. Films like his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy. The two film soundtracks began with some controversy. For the 2005 remake, Howard Stone was initially hired to compose the score, but was later replaced by James Newton Howard due to differing creative directions for the score. On the other hand, Steiner's original film had budget problems. The animation department ended up spending most of the film's budget and ultimately left no budget for the film's soundtrack. Fortunately, famed producer Merian Cooper helped finance the rest of the soundtrack, and with his help, the results ended up being a great success, while also creating a film with a non-diegetic soundtrack. Both composers are able to use their respective technologies to create such beautiful orchestras. Howards Symphony Orchestra included bass, bassoon, cello, cello, flute, guitar, harp, horn, keyboard, oboe, percussion, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, all while also containing over 100 other musicians. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay As I stated before, both the original and the adaptation are staple film scores of their time. Both composers wrote beautiful film scores based on leitmotifs. The original used the early methods of opera and theater to create a completely new dimension other than the visual, which had never been done before. The adaptation followed the trend of big budget, epic blockbusters, and movie soundtracks to help captivate audiences during their cinematic experiences. Steiner implemented the fear factor for his audience despite the controversial animations, while Howard's score included emotional depth and alterations to the convincing animation. Max Steiner often described his original King Kong as a film made for music and proclaimed the beginning of his fame. With over 70 years between both films, both composers were able to create a unique interpretation of the same story using the methods and fundamentals supporting the.