Kong Island

Kong Island (original Italian title: Eva, la Venere selvaggia; translated as Eva, the Savage Venus) is a 1968 jungle adventure film (with a science fiction element) directed by Roberto Mauri (billed as Robert Morris). The film was promoted in the U.S. as King of Kong Island.

Kong Island
Italian theatrical release poster
Directed byRoberto Mauri
Written byWalter Brandi
Ralph Zucker
Roberto Mauri
Produced byWalter Brandi
Ralph Zucker
Dick Randall
Brad Harris
StarringBrad Harris
Esmeralda Barros
Marc Lawrence
CinematographyMario Mancini
Edited byNella Nannuzzi
Music byRoberto Pregadio
Distributed byBetter Television Distribution
Release date
29 September 1968
Running time
92 min
CountryItaly
LanguageItalian

Plot synopsis

The story takes place in the jungles of Kenya and its capital city Nairobi. Despite the English-language title, there is no island (and no "Kong"). Mad scientist Albert Muller is experimenting with small radio transmitters implanted in the brains of gorillas that control their minds. These are test subjects with the ultimate goal of doing this to humans.

Diana, the daughter of bar owner Theodore (no last name is mentioned), is abducted by apes under Muller's control during a safari. A rescue team led by mercenary adventurer Burt Dawson (Brad Harris) heads into the jungle to find her. Hostile natives attack his group, and Burt is captured along the way. After he escapes, Burt meets a legendary white jungle girl the natives call the Sacred Monkey (In the English dubbed version, he first calls her Eve, but later everyone refers to her as Eva).

Eva is a Tarzan-like orphan who grew up alone in the jungle. She wears only a leather loincloth, and her waist-length black hair covers her breasts. She does not speak English but can communicate with animals and has a pet chimpanzee. She has one of Diana's bracelets and eventually leads Burt to a cave where she is being held prisoner by Muller. This is where the final conflict and resolution takes place.

Unlike virtually every other film which features a jungle girl character, this story concentrates on Burt and his love interest Diana, with Eva confined to a marginal supporting role.

Cast
  • Brad Harris as Burt Dawson
  • Esmeralda Barros as Eve
  • Marc Lawrence as Albert Muller
  • Ursula Davis as Diana
  • Adriana Alben as Ursula
  • Marc Fiorini (credited as Mark Farran) as Robert
  • Aldo Cecconi as Theodore
  • Paolo Magalotti as Peter
  • Mario Donatone as Forrester
  • Gianni Pulone[1]

Legacy

Contrary to popular belief, this film has nothing to do with King Kong and does not take place on an island. The film is in the public domain.[2]

See also

References
  1. Poppi, R;  Pecorari, M. (1992). Dizionario del Cinema Italiano Vol. 3. Gremese Editore. Pg.203.
  2. "King of Kong island". desertislandfilms.com. Retrieved 20 January 2008.
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