Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981)
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11% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
28% of users liked it
(3,483 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… 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
- Directed By
- John Derek
- Written By
- Tom Rowe
- Genres
- Action & Adventure
- In Theaters
- Jul 24, 1981 Wide
- On DVD
- Jun 8, 2004
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
This opus will disappoint both Tarzan fans and Bo admirers.
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, Time Out
Judging by the amount of time everybody spends swimming, the African jungle resembles Hornsey Baths filled with oversized pot plants.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Of course it's completely ridiculous, but at the same time it has a certain disarming charm.
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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.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Painfully dull.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Bo Derek
as Jane
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Richard Harris
as Parker
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John Phillip Law
as Holt
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Miles O'Keeffe
as Tarzan
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Wilfrid Hyde-White
as Club Member
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Akushula Selayah
as Africa
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Steven Strong
as Ivory King
- Laurie Main
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Harold Ayer
as Club Member
- Steve Strong