🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Paul Leder
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror
- Release year: 1976
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 2.2/10 (2.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A disgruntled guy in a cheaply-made ape suit escapes a boat, battles a very dead shark, flips off the military, and then slowly wreaks havoc on Seoul while accidentally starring in the funniest ‘bad’ movie ever.
🍿 A*P*E: Detailed Plot Synopsis
An Unwanted Discovery
Off the coast of South Korea, a massive 36-foot gorilla is being transported on a freighter. However, the colossal primate manages to break free from its confinement, causing an explosive rupture on the ship. The ape then plunges into the ocean, setting the stage for an unexpected rampage.
Rampage in Seoul
After escaping the ship, the ape makes its way to the shores of Korea, immediately wreaking havoc on the surrounding areas. Coincidentally, American actress Marilyn Baker (Joanna Kerns) is in the country filming a movie, finding herself caught in the escalating chaos as the giant creature begins its destructive journey through Seoul. The military, led by the foul-mouthed Colonel Davis, quickly mobilizes to contain the threat.
Marilyn’s Abduction
As the ape continues its path of destruction, targeting miniature-like buildings and encountering various obstacles, it eventually finds and kidnaps Marilyn Baker. The giant ape carries her through the city, seemingly developing an unusual attachment to her. Her reporter boyfriend, Tom Rose, relentlessly pursues the story and attempts to rescue her from the ape’s grasp.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- The Ape (Unknown): The titular 36-foot gorilla that escapes captivity, rampages through Seoul, and kidnaps an American actress.
- Marilyn Baker (Joanna Kerns): An American actress filming in Korea who becomes the captive of the monstrous ape.
- Tom Rose (Rod Arrants): A determined reporter and Marilyn’s boyfriend, who actively pursues the ape to rescue her.
- Col. Davis (Alex Nicol): A foul-mouthed American military colonel leading the efforts to neutralize the rampaging ape.
- Capt. Kim (Nak-hun Lee): A Korean military captain collaborating with Colonel Davis in the operation against the giant ape.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tom Rose: “He was just too big for a small world like ours.” – The final line of the film, delivered by the reporter reflecting on the ape’s death and its place in the modern world.
- Marilyn Baker: “Be gentle with me, big guy.” – Said by the kidnapped actress to the ape while he holds her in his hand, a surprisingly calm and bizarre plea during her ordeal.
- Col. Davis: “To hell with the press, I’m going to smoke this cigarette!” – A memorable line delivered by the foul-mouthed military colonel, showcasing his cynical and exasperated personality.
- Officer: “Let’s see him dance for his organ grinder now!” – A sarcastic remark made by a military officer during the chaotic final confrontation, mocking the ape’s destructive actions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $23,000 (estimated)
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 A*P*E Reviews
Personal Review
Honestly, I went into `A*P*E` expecting a train wreck, and oh boy, did it deliver in the most spectacular way! It’s not just a bad movie; it’s an *experience*. I found myself openly laughing at the screen, especially during that iconic scene where the ape just casually flips off the camera – pure gold! And don’t even get me started on the ‘fight’ with the dead shark; it’s the kind of baffling cinema you have to see to believe. If you’re looking for something genuinely terrible that circles back around to being hilarious, grab some friends and a beverage, because this one is a wild, unintentionally funny ride. It’s definitely earned its spot as a ‘so bad it’s good’ classic in my book.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of ‘so bad it’s good’ movies”
- “Enthusiasts of cult cinema and B-movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy films ripe for ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’ style commentary”
- “Giant monster movie fans looking for an unconventional, humorous experience”
- “Those curious about notorious filmmaking disasters”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Extremely poor special effects”
- “Repetitive and grating musical score”
- “Frequent profanity (particularly from the Colonel character)”
- “Unintentional comedy that may be frustrating for those seeking genuine monster horror”
- “Brief, implied sexual undertones in dialogue (from a film-within-a-film context, not the ape’s actions)”
- “Scenes of animal violence (though very fake-looking)”
- “Loud and shrill screams from the lead actress”
Professional Reviews
- Film Fails Digest: “A*P*E isn’t just bad; it’s a cinematic experience that redefines ineptitude. The infamous gorilla suit, the toy-like effects, and a plot that barely holds together create a laugh riot. It’s a must-see for connoisseurs of glorious B-movies, offering more unintentional comedy than genuine thrills.
- The Midnight Movie Oracle: “Prepare for a masterclass in how *not* to make a monster movie. A*P*E delivers a 36-foot ape who acts more like a frustrated stagehand than a terrifying beast, complete with impromptu dancing and rude gestures. It’s less a film and more a communal experiment in how much absurdity a viewer can endure while still having a blast.
Audience Reactions
Viewers found the ape’s infamous middle finger salute to the military a hilariously shocking and unforgettable moment.: Most agreed the film’s abysmal special effects, from the flimsy gorilla suit to the toy-like miniature sets, transformed it into a masterpiece of unintentional comedy.
The bizarre ‘fight’ sequence between the giant ape and a very dead shark left audiences in stitches over its sheer absurdity.: Many appreciated ‘A*P*E’ as a quintessential ‘so bad it’s good’ movie, perfect for a group watch and endless mockery.
Overall Consensus: A*P*E is universally panned by critics as one of the worst films ever made, yet it has achieved cult status among bad movie aficionados for its jaw-dropping ineptitude and abundance of unintentional comedy.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was shot in 3-D, which explains some of the unusual camera angles where objects are thrown directly at the lens (or the audience).”
- “Reportedly filmed in just two weeks with an estimated budget of $23,000, which contributes to its notoriously low production values.”
- “The title ‘A*P*E’ is an acronym for ‘Attacking Primate MonstEr’ and was also a deliberate pun on the popular TV show ‘M*A*S*H*’, which was set in Korea.”
- “RKO Pictures, owners of King Kong rights, sued the producers of A*P*E, forcing them to change the original title (‘The New King Kong’ or ‘Super Ape’) and include a disclaimer in advertising stating it was ‘not to be confused with King Kong’.”
- “The infamous scene where the ape fights a shark involved a real, dead baby shark that was reportedly purchased from a local Korean fish market.”
🖥️ How to Watch A*P*E?
A*P*E, the infamous 1976 giant monster flick, is primarily available through digital rental or purchase on various platforms. You can often find it to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. Given its cult status as a ‘so bad it’s good’ movie, it may also appear on specialized streaming services or free ad-supported channels that feature classic B-movies. Physical media releases, such as DVD or Blu-ray, might also be available through retailers like Amazon.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed A*P*E, you might like these similar films:
- King Kong (1976): This film was a notorious cash-in on the highly anticipated American remake of King Kong, leading to legal action and a forced disclaimer.
- Mighty Peking Man (1977): Another infamous giant ape film from Asia, known for its similarly low-budget special effects, campy tone, and often paired with A*P*E in ‘bad movie’ marathons.
- Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959): Often cited as one of the ‘worst films ever made,’ appealing to fans of unintentionally hilarious cinema due to its bewildering plot, poor acting, and absurd special effects.
- Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974): A representative of the Japanese kaiju genre from the same era that A*P*E attempts to emulate, offering a look at how established monster movie tropes were handled by more experienced studios.
- The Room (2003): A modern benchmark for ‘so bad it’s good’ cinema, sharing A*P*E’s reputation for baffling creative decisions, amateurish execution, and an uncanny ability to generate unintentional laughs.
🛒 A*P*E Related Products
- A*P*E (A*P*E* Theatrical Cut & 3D Restored Version) Blu-ray/DVD Combo: Experience the notorious cinematic disaster in its baffling original 3D glory, alongside the standard theatrical cut. This collector’s edition includes new interviews with cast members (who dared to speak), commentary tracks from bad movie experts, and a featurette on the challenges of filming with a man in a gorilla suit.
- A*P*E “The Finger” Collectible Figurine: A highly detailed, limited-edition resin figurine capturing the iconic moment the A*P*E defiantly flips off the camera/military. A must-have for fans of obscure cinema and memorable movie blunders. Stands approximately 7 inches tall.
- Seoul Smash: A*P*E Arcade Retro Game (Digital Download): A pixel-art, 8-bit retro arcade game where you control a rampaging ape (who looks suspiciously like a guy in a suit) through miniature cityscapes, destroying cardboard buildings and battling toy tanks. Features hidden ‘flipping the bird’ power-ups and a ‘dead shark’ bonus round.
- A*P*E (A*P*E*) Official Movie Poster Reproduction: High-quality reproduction of the original theatrical release poster, showcasing the 36-foot gorilla in all its dubious glory. Printed on premium archival paper, ideal for framing and displaying your appreciation for legendary B-movies.
🎧 Soundtrack
A*P*E features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Main Title Theme” – performed by Bruce MacRae
- “Ape Disco Boogie” – performed by Bruce MacRae
- “Chaos in Seoul” – performed by Bruce MacRae
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
A*P*E (1976) is primarily known as a notorious ‘so bad it’s good’ cult film, often cited as one of the worst movies ever made. It gained infamy for its extremely low budget, laughably poor special effects (including a visible zipper on the ape suit), illogical plot points, and the memorable scene where the giant ape gives the middle finger to a helicopter.
Yes, A*P*E is widely considered a blatant King Kong ripoff, released in 1976 to capitalize on the hype surrounding Dino De Laurentiis’s King Kong remake. It shares a nearly identical plot of a giant ape escaping captivity, rampaging through a city, and kidnapping an actress, even leading to legal action that forced the filmmakers to include a disclaimer: ‘Not to be confused with King Kong.’
Yes, Joanna Kerns, best known as Maggie Seaver from the TV series ‘Growing Pains,’ stars in A*P*E (billed as Joanna DeVarona). This film marked her debut. Her role as the American actress Marilyn Baker, who is abducted by the ape, is a significant part of the movie’s plot, and her performance, including her shrill screams, has become a notable aspect of the film’s camp appeal.
Yes, A*P*E was originally filmed and intended for a 3D release, specifically using a process called ‘Space Vision 3D.’ While the 3D effects were rudimentary and often used for cheap gags (like objects flying directly at the camera), it contributed to the film’s unique, if often mocked, viewing experience.
A*P*E is infamous for several hilariously bad scenes. Key moments include the ape wrestling with an obviously dead or rubber shark in a pool, the ape wearing what appears to be high-top tennis shoes, its bizarre ‘disco dancing’ movements when shot, and most famously, the giant ape defiantly flipping the middle finger at a military helicopter. The overall use of miniature sets and toy vehicles also adds to the film’s campy reputation.
🔥 Bonus Content
Brandon’s Cult Movie Reviews: A*P*E
Ever wondered just how bad a King Kong rip-off can be? Brandon Tenold hilariously dissects the infamous ‘A*P*E’ (1976) in this review, and honestly, you won’t believe some of the moments he points out!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.
