Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981)

11% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
29% of users liked it
(3,413 ratings)

John Derek directed this 1981 vanity production of the Tarzan tale as a bon-bon for his wife Bo Derek. The Bo Derek version answers any questions viewers may have had concerning Tarzan and Jane's sex life. The film begins as Jane (Bo Derek)'s father Parker (Richard Harris) heads to the African… More John Derek directed this 1981 vanity production of the Tarzan tale as a bon-bon for his wife Bo Derek. The Bo Derek version answers any questions viewers may have had concerning Tarzan and Jane's sex life. The film begins as Jane (Bo Derek)'s father Parker (Richard Harris) heads to the African interior on the pretext of searching for hidden jungle secrets. He is actually looking for Tarzan (Miles O'Keeffe), whom he plans to kidnap and bring back to England dead or alive. Jane accompanies her manic father, along with his unassuming assistant Holt (John Phillip Law). Realizing that Parker is on his trail, Tarzan kidnaps Jane and it is love at first sight. Parker forges on, trying to capture Tarzan and save his daughter. But Tarzan finally saves the day when Jane is kidnapped by a band of African mud worshippers, who are preparing her to be sacrificed to the gods. ~ Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: John Derek
Written By: Tom Rowe
Genres: Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Jul 24, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jun 8, 2004

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
This opus will disappoint both Tarzan fans and Bo admirers.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Of course it's completely ridiculous, but at the same time it has a certain disarming charm.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
To describe the film as inept would be to miss the point, which is to present Mrs. Derek in as many different poses, nude and seminude, as there are days of the year, all in something less than two hours.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Painfully dull.
, Time Out
Judging by the amount of time everybody spends swimming, the African jungle resembles Hornsey Baths filled with oversized pot plants.
Tony Medley, tonymedley.com
Lots of untittilating nudity
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Truly forgettable, except for Bo's booty
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Frankly, a herd of elephants couldn't get me to watch this thing again.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Silliness abounds, so much so that the picture comes off closer to a comedy than the romantic action-adventure it was meant to be.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
This cinematic atrocity truly is one of the all-time worsts.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
not even funny as modern irony
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Nice to look at, but dear Lord...
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
about as erotic as a Shirley Temple musical

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dean !

I saw this a long time ago and thought it was ok then. Bo Derek covered in white paint and not much else for most of the film.
Wahida K

Jane showing Tarzan how to have Sex in 81. I dont know if one should call this Movie a Soft Porn. Two Nacked Adults running around in a Movie casually having sex doesnt make it even near to a soft Porn. Each to their own.
Cindy I

The story of the Lord of Greystoke as soft core porn. Junk.
jay n

Awful, cardboard adventure, Richard Harris must have needed the money badly.
Dean M

Bo Derek is the most famously erotic in this adventure film.
Moe E

OMG!!! Richard Harris must have been in dire straits to have agreed to this piece of dung! If there was ever any doubt that Bo Derek was not an actress, you'll be convinced within 15 minutes of the opening credits. Run away, fast!