Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)

60% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(14,511 ratings)

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original, with a 1980s-sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa, Lord Jack Clayton (Paul Geoffrey) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice (Cheryl Campbell) attempt to survive in the hostile… More Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original, with a 1980s-sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa, Lord Jack Clayton (Paul Geoffrey) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice (Cheryl Campbell) attempt to survive in the hostile environment, but both die shortly after the birth of their son John. Abandoned in the wilderness, the orphaned John is adopted by a family of rather highly evolved apes, and raised as one of their own. Years later, John-now known as Tarzan, and now played by Christopher Lambert-comes across a party of white hunters. Rescuing one of the intruders, Belgian Captain Phillipe D'Arnot (Ian Holm) from a horrible death , Tarzan is taught to speak English by the grateful D'Arnot. Coming across the remains and possessions of Tarzan's parents, D'Arnot discovers that the Lord of the Jungle is actually the Earl of Greystoke. Brought back to England, Tarzan is introduced to society, where his crude, apelike manners offend everyone--except the likeable (and painfully senile) 6th Lord of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson, in his final film role) and Greystoke's American ward, Jane Porter (Andie McDowell, whose Southern-fried voice is dubbed by Glenn Close). Disturbed at the notion of Tarzan's inheriting Greystoke manner, his more greedy relatives begin plotting against him. But it is Tarzan himself who decides that he cannot adapt himself to England-especially after a painful reunion with his ape foster father, imprisoned in a science-lab cage. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Hugh Hudson
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Art House & International

In Theaters: Mar 30, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Jun 8, 2004
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Luis Martinez, Cinenganos
Beautiful. A real view of an ape man clashing with the civilization.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
vivid and involving
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a character study, pure and simple; a rather far-fetched character study, but about as close to Burroughs' basic intentions as we're likely to see on the big screen.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
It's a different approach and will not satisfy viewers intent on seeing thrilling fights and derring-do.
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central
...Oftentimes punishingly stately
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
A bit too rigid to offer the proper degree of high adventure synonymous with the Tarzan trademark yet full of memorable sequences and strong performances.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
one of cinema's great disasters

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

A chidlhood favorate
Dean !

Quite an entertaining live action Tarzan film. One more for the kids though.
Michael S

A great film with equally great scenery. Greystoke has become awefully forgotten, despite the fact that it's miles better than director Hugh Hudson's very overpraised( and multi-oscar winning) Chariots of Fire.
xGary X

A more literary and intelligent treatment of the Tarzan story, the quality cast and well fleshed out characters make for a far more fulfilling film than the usual Dr. Dolittle/swinging/yodelling combo.
Dean M

Christopher Lambert seemed like a great acting discovery at the time, it is now clear that the role of someone half-ape, half-man was perfect for him.
Sean S

Tarzan comes to England. A little slow for a movie about the King of the jungle.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Ralph Richardson as Sixth Earl of Greystoke

            Ian Holm as Capt. Phillippe D'Arnot

            James Fox as Lord Esker

            Christopher Lambert as John Clayton/Tarzan

            Andie MacDowell as Miss Jane Porter

            Cheryl Campbell as Lady Alice Clayton

            Ian Charleson as Jeffson Brown

            Nigel Davenport as Maj. Jack Downing

            Nicholas Farrell as Sir Hugh Belcher

            Paul Geoffrey as Lord Jack Clayton

            Richard Griffiths as Capt. Billings

            Hilton McRae as Willy

            David Suchet as Buller/Prince Max Von Hesse

            John Wells as Sir Evelyn Blount

            Paul Brooke as Rev. Stimson

            Glenn Close as Miss Jane Porter

            David Enden as Captain

            Tristram Jellinek as White

            Roddy Maude-Roxby as Olivestone

            Andrea Miller as Governess

            Deep Roy as Primate Sequences

            Kiran Shah as Primate Sequences

            Philip Tan as Primate Sequences

            Mak Wilson as Figs Tarzan's Follower

            Patsy Pollock
            
            Alisa Berk as Kala Primate Mother

            Harriet Thorpe as Iris

            Eric Langlois as Tarzan at Age 12

            David Forman as Primate Sequences

            John Alexander as White Eyes Primate Leader
See full cast