The Most Dangerous Game (1932)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Drew S

  
  It's easy to forget how sensational this was for its time, partly because it's so hokey and partly because of the eminently graceless aging of the action genre. Still, I think it's a lot less dumb than King Kong, and though the first half of the film is dedicated to… More
  It's easy to forget how sensational this was for its time, partly because it's so hokey and partly because of the eminently graceless aging of the action genre. Still, I think it's a lot less dumb than King Kong, and though the first half of the film is dedicated to exhaustingly transparent conversations about humans and being primeval and stuff, the latter half is an at least interesting little bit of 30s action goodness. The Most Dangerous Game is a little too self-serious to embrace fully, but it's a very short watch and an important milestone in action movie history.

• AJ V

  
  A very nice film adaptation of the short story. Good actors, setting, and everything. It's really exciting, it brings the story to life.

• Cassandra M

  
  The Most Dangerous Game is a terrific old barn-stormer. A horror-thriller from the same talents that produced King Kong. Indeed, the movie re-used several of Kong's sets, and was conceived in order to get more value for money from Kong's colossal budget. It is, however, a… More
  The Most Dangerous Game is a terrific old barn-stormer. A horror-thriller from the same talents that produced King Kong. Indeed, the movie re-used several of Kong's sets, and was conceived in order to get more value for money from Kong's colossal budget. It is, however, a thrilling adventure in its own right. Kong Alumni Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong and Nobel Johnson turn up here (the film was shot almost simultaneously with Kong) but the British actor Leslie Banks steals the show as Count Zaroff, Russian game hunter who has grown bored with hunting animals, and now prefers to hunt "The most dangerous game of all". Banks is a hoot as Zaroff, perpetually stroking his scar and giving lustful gazes in the direction of Fay Wray. He's also splendidly wry in his exchanges with Robert Armstrong's drunken sot, and adopts a maniacal intensity during the hunt. Zaroff, occupying a remote island, has adjusted the navigation lights of a treacherous stretch of water to ship-wreck passing vessels. Those who escape the shark-infested waters and make it to the island are given rest, food and are eventually invited to spend a few hours in Zaroff's trophy room. Believe me, it's a good incentive for what Zaroff plans! They are given a days' head start, and then Zaroff begins hunting... Joel Mcrea makes an engaging hero as young hunter Bob Rainsford, who eventually out-thinks and outfights the nasty ol' Count. The later half of the movie, in which Mcrea and Wray are hunted through the jungle by the merciless Zaroff is brilliantly shot and edited. Max Steiner, the composer of Kong's classic score, here comes up with another memorable main theme. Zaroff even plays it at the piano. Irving Pichel, the goon from Murder By The Clock, co-directs with Kong director Shoedsack and delivers a rousing movie. I saw this as a DVD double bill with White Zombie, and had a splendid evening's entertainment!

• Randy T

  
  Joel McCrea and Fay Wray star in this 1932 classic about a shipwrecked big game hunter held captive by Count Zaroff (Leslie Banks), a madman who enjoys hunting and killing men for sport. A little schmaltzy by modern standards, but still a tremendously fun film to watch.

• Michael G

  
  A great movie that in many ways was ahead of its time. Fantastic direction (namely during she ship sinking and swamp scenes) and atmospheric sets steal the show. And of course Fay Wray running around the jungle in her nightgown never hurts. For a movie that's nearly 80 years old… More
  A great movie that in many ways was ahead of its time. Fantastic direction (namely during she ship sinking and swamp scenes) and atmospheric sets steal the show. And of course Fay Wray running around the jungle in her nightgown never hurts. For a movie that's nearly 80 years old it's kind of disturbing and a lot of things that bug me about movies from the 30s didn't really seem to apply here. Leslie Banks was great playing a total nutjob and Joel McCrea was basically the paint-by-numbers hero. It's a nice, quick watch too.

• Stella D

  
  joel mcrea is shipwrecked on an island where the evil count zaroff hunts men! also starring fay wray, who was working on merriam cooper's other project at the time, king kong. and this is the one from zodiac. one of the most copied films ever and still pretty damn cool

• Eric H

  
  Were it not overshadowed by it's producer/director team of Merian C Cooper and Schoedsack's "King Kong" two years later, this movie would probably get a lot more recognition. It's influence has been palpable and elements of it's story can be seen in… More
  Were it not overshadowed by it's producer/director team of Merian C Cooper and Schoedsack's "King Kong" two years later, this movie would probably get a lot more recognition. It's influence has been palpable and elements of it's story can be seen in everything from "Predator" to "The Hunger Games". Made at the height of the great depression, audiences may have found the tale of a rich megalomaniac using others for his entertainment quite poignant. As the twisted count, Banks is superb, even if his accent is more Scottish than Russian. Why he didn't make more genre appearances is baffling, given this was the era of "Frankenstein" and "Dracula". During WWI he suffered an injury which paralysed the left half of his face, a wound he exploits to add a sinister edge to the character. McCrea gives an early indication of the all-American star he would go on to become while Wray lays down the foundations of becoming cinema's first great scream queen. Kong's leading man Robert Armstrong has an amusing role as a drunk. Has there ever been more impressive set design than the great horror movies of the thirties? The attention to detail here is outstanding, a practice that's sadly been lost in these greenscreen times. Even the door knocker on Banks island fortress is creepy as hell, a miniature representation of a giant beast holding a woman in his monstrous hands. Did they have Kong in mind when designing this? Yes, the two movies were actually shot back to back. Were I a rich collector of movie memorabilia, this item would most definitely be mounted on my front door. Banks' island resembles the more famous Skull Island from Kong, all creeping vines and rubber bats flying in the background. This is no coincidence, the same jungle sets were utilised for both pictures. To get the most from such production design takes a skilled cameraman, and Henry W Gerrard does some thrilling work here. He began in silents so knew the importance of a strong image. Action sequences of the era are often quite clunky but Gerrard's roving camera adds to the excitement. There are some fantastic tracking shots through the jungle, the foliage brushing against the lens and really putting you in the scene. Sadly he passed away three years later on the cusp of greatness having just lensed "Of Human Bondage". Running at a brisk 63 minutes, today's film-makers could learn a lot from this movie's pacing. There's not an ounce of fat on this script. If Peter Jackson remade it we'd probably get an inexplicable three hour version.

• Chris B

  
  While not as grand a production as "King Kong", that was shot at the same time but took another year due to editing and the ground breaking special effects, pushing It's release to 1934. "The Most Dangerous Game" utilized not only many of the stars and cast;… More
  While not as grand a production as "King Kong", that was shot at the same time but took another year due to editing and the ground breaking special effects, pushing It's release to 1934. "The Most Dangerous Game" utilized not only many of the stars and cast; including the producer, composer, and director but also the same set as well! Having seen the original "King Kong" recently it was fun seeing the set being used for another film. The sets were extravagant and contained enough variety to add to both films and not make either feel restrained or repetitive. While critically, and in my opinion, "King Kong" is by far the bigger and superior film, "The Most Dangerous Game" is a fun and highly entertaining adventure/horror film that is timeless. The themes are deeper than the film fully explores but It's a wonderful watch and at 62 minutes it flies by thanks to the suspense. Highly Recommended!

• William G

  
  Efficient adaptation of classic tale is not without its gleefully cheesy moments.

• Simeon D

  
  Classic horror film from the maker of King Kong that expresses anyone's worst nightmare through solid performances and foggy scenery. My 8th grade teacher made us read the short story, which was fantastic, then let us watch the film. In the film there are some Hollywood… More
  Classic horror film from the maker of King Kong that expresses anyone's worst nightmare through solid performances and foggy scenery. My 8th grade teacher made us read the short story, which was fantastic, then let us watch the film. In the film there are some Hollywood drawbacks, such as a love interest and a comic relief, that make this anything less than perfect. 99/100

• MJS M

  
  This film was made by producer Merian C. Cooper right before he went on to make King Kong, and it could maybe be said to be an extended version of the parts on the island in King Kong before the giant monkey or dinosaurs show up. This is basically a glorious B-adventure movie. A… More
  This film was made by producer Merian C. Cooper right before he went on to make King Kong, and it could maybe be said to be an extended version of the parts on the island in King Kong before the giant monkey or dinosaurs show up. This is basically a glorious B-adventure movie. A sixty-three minute romp with a flawless hero taking on a dastardly villain who?s basically a mad scientist. The whole thing is straight up pulp, but good pulp. The jungle looks pretty good, the personalities are colorful. It?s an enjoyable flick, nothing more.

• Sunil J

  
  An interesting, twisted adventure movie.

• Christopher B

  
  Yeah, so both me and the Zodiac killer love this film! Big Deal! Classic premise. Whether it be this or Surviving the Game or Hard Target or many of it's ilk, I love the whole "Human Being Hunted" genre. This one is fantastic and really works as a atmosperic gothic… More
  Yeah, so both me and the Zodiac killer love this film! Big Deal! Classic premise. Whether it be this or Surviving the Game or Hard Target or many of it's ilk, I love the whole "Human Being Hunted" genre. This one is fantastic and really works as a atmosperic gothic horror piece. Great villain too.

Read all 13 featured audience ratings