This is a most amazing documentary about Merian C Cooper, the man who created King Kong. Cooper's statement that he was King Kong was made when he described his life to the man who was helping put together his (unfinished) autobiography. It was not an idle boast since Cooper did more than 20 other normal people, from fighting in three wars, escaping from a Russian prison camp, making movies, running an airline, having a family, and on and on and on. This documentary about his life is a wonderful look at man little known to most people. Thats due, as one person says, to the fact that he was doing so much you could never get a hold of him. Done for Turner Classic Movies and on the new DVD release of King Kong, this is a must see documentary for anyone who loves movies, regardless of if you like King Kong or not. This is the story of a man that changed the face of not only the movies, but the world we know today. What he did, what he developed influences how we see the world and what we think America is (This goes for everyone in the world who has ever seen any of his films as well). This is a movie that will move you and make you wonder why someone hasn't made a movie about Cooper himself since it has more drama than 99% of the movies ever made.
The only flaw in the film, and the one thing that prevents me from giving it a 10 out of 10 is that after the film deals with King Kong the film loses sight of Cooper the man, instead focusing on his technical achievements. Cooper's life should have been told in twice the 57 minute running time. Its a minor flaw, that doesn't diminish the "Oh Wow!" factor, however it does increase the "I want more" factor by several degrees.
See this film.