Synopsis

In the mountains of Central Africa, Jill Young shares a lifelong bond with Joe, a fifteen-foot gorilla whose peaceful life is threatened by poachers. Jill and zoologist Gregg O'Hara bring Joe to a California animal sanctuary, hoping to protect him and raise awareness of his plight. When Joe's safety is endangered again, his strength and loyalty are tested in a dangerous struggle for freedom.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is a remake of the 1949 RKO adventure, which won the Academy Award for Best Special Effects. The 1998 version was released by Walt Disney Pictures on December 25, 1998.

• Joe was created through a combination of practical and digital effects. Rick Baker's team built three hydraulic versions of the gorilla, along with smaller-scale suits used for forced-perspective shots.

• Creature performer John Alexander wore a radio-controlled animatronic suit for much of Joe's screen time. Verne Troyer portrayed Joe as an infant.

• Dream Quest Images and Industrial Light & Magic shared the digital-effects work. ILM developed digital fur capable of moving naturally during Joe's running, climbing, and jumping sequences.

• The visual-effects work earned the film an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 71st Academy Awards.

• The name Gregg O'Hara combines the names of two characters from the 1949 film: Gregg Johnson and Max O'Hara.

• Terry Moore, who played Jill Young in the 1949 film, appears in a cameo at the gala sequence alongside stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, who worked on the original movie.

• During filming on July 2, 1997, cinematographer Donald Peterman and camera operator Ray De La Motte were injured when a camera crane broke and fell. Production paused for two days.