Most Dangerous Game, The (1932)

Most Dangerous Game, The (1932)

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“I was thinking of the inconsistency of civilization. The beast of the jungle, killing just for his existence, is called savage. The man, killing just for sport, is called civilized. It’s a bit inconsistent, isn’t it?”

Synopsis:
A shipwrecked man and woman (Joel McCrea and Fay Wray) must find a way to escape from an isolated island owned by a human-hunting madman (Leslie Banks).

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Deserted Island
  • Escape
  • Fay Wray Films
  • Hunting
  • Joel McCrea Films
  • Mental Illness

Response to Peary’s Review:
Based on Richard Connell’s beloved short story, this “classic thriller” — set on a “remote island”, and “shot much like a silent movie” — is primarily known as the predecessor to its more famous counterpart, King Kong (1933), which borrows “many [of its] visuals” and features the same leading lady (Wray). While I agree with Peary that it contains many “exciting, quickly paced action sequences”:

I was frustrated by how substantially The Most Dangerous Game‘s script strays from the original story (which has long been a personal favorite). Nonetheless, The Most Dangerous Game has much to recommend it, including atmospheric, mist-filled jungle sets; heart-stopping action scenes; and Leslie Banks’ powerhouse performance as the “crazed hunter… who uses a stranded human couple… as his prey.” As Peary notes, this “would be ideal to watch with [The] Island of Lost Souls (1933).”

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Leslie Banks as Count Zaroff
  • Atmospheric sets

Must See?
No, but it’s worth a look.

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One thought on “Most Dangerous Game, The (1932)”

  1. Not a must.

    FFs may want to give it a look for historical reasons, but I can’t muster up much enthusiasm (though I wouldn’t mind hanging out in the Count’s mansion).

    I don’t think I’ve read the original story since high school, but I find this film version on the ho-hum side. There is a bit of excitement near the end, when the Count is hunting McCrea and Wray – but that comes with a few unintended giggles, as does the denouement.

    The one scene I genuinely find effective comes when Wray first attempts to explain to McCrea about the danger they’re in – while Banks is playing piano.

    The premise has potential for a much scarier film adaptation.

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