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| Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes | 
 enlarge | Director: Hugh Hudson
Actors: Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm, James Fox, Christopher Lambert, Andie Macdowell
Category: Video
Buy New: $9.95
Buy Used from $9.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  (49 reviews)
Format: Pal
Language: German (Original Language)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: VHS Tape
EAN: 4012878114044
ASIN: B00004RM1T
Theatrical Release Date: March 30, 1984
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
One of those legendary missed opportunities, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is a movie that should have been great but wound up the victim of conflicting egos and wrong-headed choices. Based on a screenplay by Robert Towne (who took his name off it when he wasn't allowed to direct) and directed by Hugh Hudson (riding high on the basis of Chariots of Fire), the film tried to rethink the Tarzan legend of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and boy, did it have to: By casting French-accented Christopher Lambert as Tarzan, the filmmakers had to transform his white-hunter mentor Ian Holm into a Frenchman to explain those inflections in Tarzan's monosyllabic speech. The film has some amazing jungle footage and a truly touching relationship between Tarzan and the apes--but it gets pretty silly when Tarzan gets to London and hooks up with Sir Ralph Richardson, as his grandfather. -?Marshall Fine
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| Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 social commentary about how some people are as apes January 3, 2009
Well, the overture at the beginning of the film is boring.
The photograph that appears does not look as beautiful as
some photographs you may have seen of the Carmanah Valley
in British Columbia, Canada. And the next few scenes of
the apes is also boring and unnecessary. These additions to
the movie which begins after these scenes appear to have been
added to discourage people from giving the movie a chance.
When the movie begins we see a family embarking on a safari,
vacation, picnic, etc. Things quickly go south. The male
infant's parents die, and he is adopted by a female ape.
Then there are scenes of a boy growing up. At some point,
he starts wearing underwear. (Technically speaking, a loin
cloth is a cummerbund. The loins of a man, his large
intestines, resemble the folds of his brain. A lot of people
do not know this, it would seem.)
Another expedition follows, and soon, Tarzan is discovered by
a man who becomes a father figure to him, teaching him English,
and encouraging him back to civilization. They try to charter
a boat with dire consequences. The scene is reminiscent of
Sodom and Gomorrah burning to the ground.
Already a stark contrast is made between sociable apes and humans
who take pleasure in committing evil acts, abusing other humans.
This movie is a way of preaching 'animal rights' to young people,
as well as making the point that it is wrong to look upon others
as if they were a resource to be used to consume upon their carnal
lusts. Slavery is condemned in this movie.
A poignant scene is one where Tarzan sits at a river bank, knitting,
making himself a net, and he says to his grandad, "I like fishing,
granddad". His grandfather is holding a fishing pole. Using a fishing
pole is a solitary activity, you fish for yourself. It is competitive.
Whereas a fishing net suggests a communal activity, a concern for the
welfare of others who cannot fish for themselves. Just as Tarzan
shared food with the apes, so he demonstrates the same social concern
for others. The predatory society is condemned. The film asks the
question, Are the apes more human than some humans?
The film in this respect has a comical aspect in the midst of tragedy.
 My Favorite Tarzan September 2, 2008
I grew up with the Tarzan movies and TV show and read all the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels and this one, "Tarzan, the Legend of Greystoke" is my very favorite of all of them. The storyline and actors are all superb. You can't beat it.
LOOK OUT FOR THAT TREE!!! July 25, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have been on a Tarzan kick ever since I bought my 70's cartoons I grew up with
TARZAN: HA-HA-HA N'KEEMA
Anyway I thought I'd tell ya about this little gem GREYSTOKE THE LEGEND OF TARZAN. This is probably the best adaption of Tarzan(wait I love Johnny as well just this script was very strong) Of course you know the story. Tarzan
and his family who are dead are marooned in the jungle and Tarzan is raised
by the Apes to grow up and become LORD OF THE JUNGLE what I really loved about this film is the time it takes to develop Tarzan and not just have him swinging on a vine the first 10 min. This movie is not for kids for their are scenes of neck breaking-urinating-and blood shed(though in truth the kids will love it...Look at ROBOCOP that was a hard R rating and became a cartoon the next year on Sat.mornings???) I really liked the directing acting and script to this film and if anyone ever was a Newbie to Tarzan(shame-shame-shame on you) then I would recommend this first hand...Oh! Yes TARZAN THE APEMAN from Johhny Weissmuller too! Just stay
away from TARZAN THE APEMAN (81) "cough"
So buy GREYSTOKE you will go Ape over it :/
Greystoke, the Legend of Tarzan July 20, 2008
I suppose one of the "themes" to this film, was that love has no limits, and anyone can be a father, or mother, but not anyone can be a Daddy and Mommy. And that family dosn't necessariy mean "blood," but means that wherever there is love, and support, respect and kindness..that can be a real family. Christopher Lambert certainly made a sexy Tarzan, made me wonder about the "animal" in all of us. Also, the theme of using animals for testing whatever, the cruelty of it. How human beings can be so clueless and so smug, in dealing with other species of living beings. Also, that animals aren't just "animals", they are living beings with feelings and emotions, and are capable of love. Sure, it's "just" a movie, but even in movies, I believe certain truths are put out there. This film is a little hokey in some parts, but I loved it.
Outstanding history March 8, 2008
Wow, I was mesmerized with this movie - have seen it more than once, and my kids did too. Andie McDowell is wonderful anyway, then add the other great actors and the historical flavor - then the moral and ethical issues each character is dealing with. Wow.
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