Tarzan the Ape Man
Tarzan the Ape Man

Movie spotlight

Tarzan the Ape Man

1981
Movie
115 min
English

The Tarzan story from Jane's point of view. Jane Parker visits her father in Africa where she joins him on an expedition. A couple of brief encounters with Tarzan establish a (sexual) bond between her and Tarzan. When the expedition is captured by savages, Tarzan comes to the rescue.

Insights

IMDb4.4/10
Director: John DerekGenres: Adventure, Romance

Plot Summary

Jane, the daughter of a British anthropologist, travels to Africa to join her father. While exploring the jungle, she encounters Tarzan, a wild man who was raised by apes. Despite their different worlds, Jane and Tarzan develop a passionate connection, leading to a forbidden romance that challenges societal norms and the dangers of the untamed wilderness.

Critical Reception

The 1981 film "Tarzan the Ape Man" was met with significant criticism, primarily for its gratuitous nudity and focus on the sensuality between Jane and Tarzan, often at the expense of plot and character development. While some may have appreciated the visual aesthetics or the performances of its lead, the film is largely remembered as a commercial attempt to capitalize on the popularity of its star, Bo Derek, rather than a faithful or critically acclaimed adaptation of the Tarzan legend.

What Reviewers Say

  • Critically panned for its exploitative nature and weak storyline.

  • Often cited for its excessive focus on sexualization rather than adventure.

  • Considered a disappointing and shallow interpretation of the Tarzan mythos.

Google audience: Audience reception for "Tarzan the Ape Man" (1981) is largely negative, with many viewers finding the film to be more interested in showcasing the physical attributes of its lead actress than in telling a compelling story. Common complaints include a lack of substance, a weak plot, and an overemphasis on gratuitous nudity, leading to a consensus that the film is more of a soft-core exploitation piece than a genuine adventure movie.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a more faithful adaptation, but was significantly altered during production to capitalize on the burgeoning sex symbol status of star Bo Derek.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Not as bad as they say**_ I appreciate John Derek's "Tarzan the Ape Man" (1981) because it's so unique and it does inspire the awe of nature, whether scenic, animal, human or romantic. The plot of the film focuses on Jane Parker (Bo D...