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Greystoke - The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes Details

1983 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 684 members

GREYSTOKE is a spellbinding screen version of Edgar Rice Burroughs's 1914 classic tale. Tarzan (Christopher Lambert), the seventh Earl of Greystoke, is raised by a family of apes after he is lost as a child in the jungles of Africa. Captain Phillipe D'Arnot (Ian Holm), a Belgian explorer, discovers the adult Tarzan, now lord of .. Read more

Starring Christopher Lambert, James Fox, Ian Holm, Ralph Richardson
Director Hugh Hudson
Genres Drama

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Greystoke - The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes

GREYSTOKE is a spellbinding screen version of Edgar Rice Burroughs's 1914 classic tale. Tarzan (Christopher Lambert), the seventh Earl of Greystoke, is raised by a family of apes after he is lost as a child in the jungles of Africa. Captain Phillipe D'Arnot (Ian Holm), a Belgian explorer, discovers the adult Tarzan, now lord of the apes, and reintroduces him to the English language and to the British aristocracy. Tarzan becomes John Clayton and is taken to meet his elderly grandfather, the sixth Earl of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson), and his beautiful American ward, Jane Porter (model Andie MacDowell). Living in a grand estate instead of in the trees of the African jungle proves daunting for the struggling student of British formality, but he is protected by his loving and eccentric grandfather. Jane continues to teach him about life in British society and before long has captivated John, who must learn how to deal with the strong emotions of human love. John and Jane begin their courtship despite the disapproval of British high society and are eventually engaged to be married. In the wake of family tragedy, John is forced to face his responsibility to the Greystoke family, but he is unable to reconcile his mounting distaste for modern civilization. Ultimately, he finds himself torn between his animal and human families and is forced to make a profound decision about his future. Director Hugh Hudson's film features astounding special effects makeup (courtesy of Rick Baker) and beautiful photography of the remote jungles of Cameroon and the British countryside.

Starring Christopher Lambert, James Fox, Ian Holm, Ralph Richardson, Andie MacDowell
Director Hugh Hudson
Studio WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 11 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 27 Sep 2004
Production year: 1983
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Greystoke - The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    This claims to be the definitive screen version of Edgar Rice Burroughs's tale, but, despite a highly professional cast that includes Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm and James Fox, it is far too long and collapses badly in the middle. However, director Hugh Hudson creates a memorable Edwardian atmosphere, and the early scenes in the ape colony are moving and deftly handled. Christopher Lambert certainly looks the part, but is not a skilful enough actor to carry off the complexities of Tarzan's plight in this decidedly adult version of the tale. The film looks glorious — money was thrown at it — and, although the direction may lose its way, this is still stirring entertainment.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • An absurd attempt to treat the story seriously after 70 years of hokum, this meandering chronicle, cut down from something much longer and even less endurable, has men in ape suits, an eye for unpleasant detail, and Ralph Richardson sliding down the stair

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Greystoke - The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes

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  • Rated - 5 stars

    Brilliant

    I think that this is the best Tarzan film of all time, The acting is surperb.

    Get your hankies ready, girls

      • A customer from Crawley, England
      • Posted 15 Apr 2005 11:06

  • Most recent members' review of Greystoke - The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes

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  • Rated - 1 star

    A terrible mess

    If you're determined to write fair and balanced reviews, there are still going to be instances when 'A demented load of old crap' is the fairest phrase to hand. This is the first film in ages that I've had to fast forward to the end just in case anything interesting happened. It didn't. Christopher Lambert looks as though he might struggle through an advertisement for stupid pills. His face always looks as though he's about a second away from understanding the emotion he is attempting to express. The director was 'hot' off Chariots of Fire, which was evidently a one-hit wonder. The film has no dramatic impetus at all: after half an hour 'Tarzan' is discovered in the jungle. Then he goes home to Scotland. And that's it, except the film carries on for another hour.

      • BV from London
      • Posted 19 Dec 2006 14:07

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Rating breakdown

684 Member ratings
  • 100
65
  • 90
51
  • 80
97
  • 70
119
  • 60
160
  • 50
84
  • 40
56
  • 30
24
  • 20
21
  • 10
7

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      • GREYSTOKE is a spellbinding screen version of Edgar Rice Burroughs's 1914 classic tale. Tarzan (Christopher Lambert), the seventh Earl of Greystoke, is raised by a family of apes after he is lost as ...