King Kong’s axe is one of the most iconic weapons in movie history. The oversized stone axe wielded by the giant ape in the original 1933 King Kong film left a lasting impression on audiences. But just how big is King Kong’s legendary axe?
The Origins of King Kong’s Axe
In the original 1933 film, King Kong’s axe was conceived by special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien as a way to showcase the ape’s colossal size and strength. The massive weapon helped establish King Kong as a larger-than-life movie monster.
Kong’s axe went on to become an integral part of the character’s identity, reappearing in remakes and sequels over the decades. The axe defined Kong as a primal yet sophisticated creature, using tools and weapons like a human would.
The Axe’s Size in the Original 1933 Film
In the original black-and-white film, Kong’s axe was intended to dwarf even his own immense frame. Animation models confirmed it stood over 12 feet tall when held upright by the ape.
Based on Kong’s official height of 50 feet in the 1933 film, this means the axe was approximately 1/4 as tall as Kong himself. If Kong stood as tall as a five-story building, his axe would be the height of a one-story house.
Kong’s Height in the 1933 Film
In the 1933 film, animator Willis O’Brien officially designated Kong’s height at 50 feet tall.
This height advantage allowed Kong to tower over his human co-stars and convincingly battle large dinosaurs on Skull Island. It also lent credibility to scenes of Kong climbing the Empire State Building.
At 50 feet tall, Kong’s proportions were exaggerated from a real gorilla’s, but still seemed plausible to 1933 audiences as a fantastical lost world monster.
The Axe Head Height
Based on behind-the-scenes photos of the Kong model animation rig, the axe head alone stood over 12 feet tall next to Kong:
This means the stone axe head was a fourth as tall as Kong’s full 50 foot height in the film.
Matched with a proportionally thick wooden handle, the axe overall created a daunting silhouette that reinforced Kong as the king of Skull Island.
The Axe’s Size in the 2005 Remake
In Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong remake, Kong’s signature weapon got a size upgrade befitting the film’s modern special effects.
The enlarged 2005 Kong stood at a full 25 feet tall. To keep Kong’s axe suitably huge for a giant ape, it was scaled up to almost 20 feet long from end to end.
Kong’s Height in the 2005 Film
In Jackson’s remake, Kong stood 25 feet tall, according to the film’s official publicity materials.
This more modest height increase over the 1933 Kong helped the new Kong blend into actual jungle environments and interact more fluidly with the human cast.
But at 25 feet tall, the new Kong still towered intimidatingly over people and most real-world animals.
The Axe Head Height
In the 2005 film, Kong’s engraved stone axe head alone spanned almost 15 feet in height based on behind-the-scenes measurement charts:
With the long wooden handle attached, the full axe length exceeded 18 feet from tip to tip.
This was scaled to appear suitably enormous clutched in Kong’s 25-foot-tall hands, while also seeming plausible as a functional tool.
The Symbolic and Literal Weight of Kong’s Axe
In both the 1933 original and 2005 remake, King Kong’s giant stone axe carries tremendous symbolic weight as an icon of his raw strength and fierce personality.
But just how heavy would Kong’s axes be in real life?
Estimated Weight in 1933 Film
Based on its carved rock head and proportionally thick wooden handle, some estimates put the 1933 Kong’s axe at close to 2 tons or 4,000 lbs:
| 1933 Axe Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Axe head height | 12 feet |
| Axe head width | 4 feet |
| Handle length | 6 feet |
| Handle width | 1 foot |
| Estimated total weight | 4,000 lbs |
That’s heavy enough to crush a car and matched Kong’s own supposed 10,000+ lbs weight.
Estimated Weight in 2005 Remake
The enlarged 2005 version of the axe was likely even heavier, with estimates at nearly 8 tons or 16,000 lbs:
| 2005 Axe Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Axe head height | 15 feet |
| Axe head width | 6 feet |
| Handle length | 12 feet |
| Handle width | 2 feet |
| Estimated total weight | 16,000 lbs |
This appropriately titanic weight matches the 2005 Kong’s own 25,000+ lbs size and modern movie expectations.
The Many Uses of Kong’s Axe
Throughout King Kong films, comics, and more, the great ape puts his oversized axe to many creative uses:
- Battling and killing dinosaurs on Skull Island
- Destroying military planes and vehicles
- Hurling it at attacking airplanes
- Cutting through chains and restraints
- Smashing buildings and obstacles
Kong’s axe serves as both an intimidating threat and versatile tool for the often heroic titan.
Battling Dinosaurs and Beasts
Kong primarily employs his axe for melee combat with the many prehistoric creatures and giant monsters he encounters across decades of films.
The axe lets Kong go toe-to-toe with beasts many times his size, such as the mythic snake-like creature in King Kong Lives.
Fending Off Attacks
When attacked by swarms of airplanes in New York City, Kong swings his axe defensively to destroy the puny craft.
He also heaves it with powerful throws when out of reach of his enemies.
Escaping Captivity
Kong breaks free of chains, cages, and other restraints by hacking at them with his formidable axe.
This allows him to escape and rampage after being captured and exploited by human opportunists.
Conclusion
As Kong’s signature weapon and ally, the giant stone axe is nearly as iconic as the ape himself. It sums up his formidable strength yet simple motivations and needs.
Whether 12 feet or 20 feet tall, Kong’s axe convincingly suits the scale of each incarnation of the iconic movie monster.
Both a symbol of Kong’s power and an extension of his primal personality, the oversized axe never fails to make a huge impression on screen.