Mighty Joe Young

Released Jul 27, 1949

1 hr. 34 min.

Fantasy

List

91%

22 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jill Young (Terry Moore) has raised Joe, her gentle pet gorilla, since he was a baby. When a Hollywood, Calif., nightclub owner (Robert Armstrong) travels to Africa and notices the amazing animal, he pursuades Jill to send Joe to Hollywood. But Joe grows restless performing for crowds and finally breaks free from captivity, wreaking havoc on the city. To save Joe from the authorities, who want him dead, Jill must create an elaborate plan to send him back to Africa.

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Zinjx W

This film is not better than "King Kong", but it certainly does not lack pace and tension, as well as a really nice filmed ending that is tinted in red. Really good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Lucas C

Mighty Joe Young is my second favorite King Kong movie. I love the Characters and the special effects are great. Its another masterpiece and I highly recommend it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/18/23

Full Review

Red T

A Classic Adventure Monster Movie. The acting is very well done especially by Jill Young and Max who gives a much better performance than in King Kong. The cinematography is very good along with very well done special effects that hold up beautifully. The music is well done also, just a bit over the top. The editing is very good being the only problem is the ending sequence feels a bit out of place and a bit too long perhaps but still well done. It does feel like it comes out of nowhere a bit. The pacing is lightning quick perhaps a bit too quick honestly but well done still. This is a great film that anyone who is a fan of Kong, Monster Movies or Practical Special Effects should give this a watch, You'll Love it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

steve d

Fun but unexceptional.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

dave s

Clearly, the problem with Mighty Joe Young is the fact that you've seen the same story elsewhere…and by the same director, strangely enough. Let's see…a greedy American entrepreneur travels to an exotic locale and removes a large gorilla from its natural environment in order to put it on display for the paying public to make his fortune, only to have the gorilla get ticked off at being mistreated and unleash havoc and mayhem on all involved. Ignoring the fact that it is a King Kong rip-off, the special effects by Ray Harryhausen are fantastic and the performances by Terry Moore as Joe's handler and Ben Johnson as the love interest are excellent. If the weirdness of the blazing orphanage at the end can be ignored, it's passable entertainment, despite the lack of originality.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Although not as ambitious and spectacular as 1933's King Kong, this more child-friendly film certainly stands on its own. With remarkable practical effects and elaborate sets, the picture is lively and charming.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

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Ernest B. Schoedsack

Director

Terry Moore

Jill Young

Ben Johnson

Gregg

Robert Armstrong

Max O'Hara

Frank McHugh

Windy

Douglas V. Fowley

Jones

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

It's fascinating corn.

Jul 25, 2019

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

We're left with poorly developed human characters in sometimes laughable, often unmotivated situations, making the film essential for stop-motion enthusiasts but difficult to recommend otherwise.

Rated: 2.5/4

Feb 20, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Between a lengthy chase and a devastating fire, the final half-hour delivers the goods, and Willis O'Brien (assisted by Ray Harryhausen) earned the Best Special Effects Oscar for his efforts.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 26, 2021

Full Review

Alan Ng

Film Threat

Sure, we're never fooled into thinking Joe is a real gorilla, but we get an emotional performance nonetheless.

Rated: 7.5/10

Feb 22, 2021

Full Review

Ellen MacKay

Common Sense Media

More of a historic novelty than an action film.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2011

Full Review

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

Rated: 3/5

Dec 8, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

Jill Young (Terry Moore) has raised Joe, her gentle pet gorilla, since he was a baby. When a Hollywood, Calif., nightclub owner (Robert Armstrong) travels to Africa and notices the amazing animal, he pursuades Jill to send Joe to Hollywood. But Joe grows restless performing for crowds and finally breaks free from captivity, wreaking havoc on the city. To save Joe from the authorities, who want him dead, Jill must create an elaborate plan to send him back to Africa.

Director: Ernest B. Schoedsack
Screenwriter: Ruth Rose
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co: RKO Pictures
Genre: Fantasy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 1949, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 23, 2016

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