Tarzan The Ape Man

Year of Release: 1981
Genre: Action / Adventure
Rating: R for Nudity and sexual content.
Director: John Derek
Starring: Bo Derek, Richard Harris, John Phillip Law, Miles O'Keeffe, Akushula Selayah, Steve Strong, Maxime Philoe, Leonard Bailey, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Laurie Main.

Date Of Revised Review: February 2008

When “Tarzan The Apeman” hit cinemas in 1932 the film was such a huge hit that it established 0lympic swimming sensation, Johnny Weissmuller, as a household name and movie superstar. Move things forward 50 years and we have a new Tarzan for a new generation, or more like a new Jane for a new generation. This critically mauled 1981 Tarzan remake, "Tarzan The Ape Man", has been considered by many to be the worst Tarzan film ever made but one thing is for sure it is certainly a fascinating curiosity piece for Tarzan fans. Although the film may not tell the Tarzan story like Edgar Rice Burroughs originally intended; it is nevertheless an interesting adaptation because it shifts the focus of the film from Tarzan to his beloved Jane. For some die-hard Tarzan fans this is what destroyed the film but for others, what can I say, Jane swinging around in a skimpy loin cloth on a vine, there will certainly never be another Tarzan film quite like it. Bo Derek, the pin-up girl of the 1970's & 1980's, fresh from her success in the Dudley Moore comedy "10" (1979) had the honor of becoming the new Jane.

“Tarzan The Ape Man” boasted the tagline “The most beautiful woman of our time in the most erotic adventure of all time”. Now, if only things could have pieced together more convincingly we may have had something! It is obvious in this tagline where the marketing is directed but Tarzan films have always been well-known for their action and adventure. While they were successful in boosting the eroticism, they certainly failed in the action and adventure department. This “Tarzan The Ape Man” would have to feature some of the worst action sequences ever seen in any Tarzan film. A slow-motion snake sequence featuring Tarzan battling a huge python is almost laughable to say the least and makes you want to cry-out-loud, “Gordon Scott where are you?” Tarzan’s rescue of Jane in the finale is also an absolute fizzer, but I won’t spoil it for you, you will have to see it to believe it. I could say more about the famous “Tarzan yell” but as we know Johnny Weissmuller will always be king of the jungle in that department.   

Bo's husband, John Derek, directed "Tarzan The Ape Man". After marrying Bo, the former 1950's teen idol, let acting take a back seat, so he could focus on his passion for photography and directing. John Derek went on to make four films with his wife, "Fantasies" (released in 1981 but shot in Greece in 1974 while Bo was only a teenager), "Tarzan The Ape Man" (1981), "Bolero" (1984), and "Ghosts Can't Do It" (1990). "Tarzan The Ape Man" is well photographed due to John Derek's expertise with a camera. The film is well known for its slow motion action sequences, the constant echo of Richard Harris' booming voice and of course a beautiful, scantily clad Bo Derek parading amongst waterfalls and beaches while a speechless Tarzan (Miles O'Keeffe) gapes in anticipation. It’s amazing the extent to which Harris’ voice was used. It almost poses as a background theme score for the film. Someone must have thought, we will ditch the jungle music and just use the voice. Big mistake, it gets tiresome after a while. Bo Derek and Richard Harris had previously worked together in the film "Orca: The Killer Whale" (1977), so this was to be their second on screen collaboration.

It is interesting to note that Miles O'Keeffe was not the original choice for Tarzan. Boxer/bodybuilder, turned actor, Lee Canalito was originally chosen for the role of Tarzan after his appearance as Sylvester Stallone's brother in the wrestling flick "Paradise Alley". Rumor has it, Bo had him dismissed and this opened the door for Miles O'Keeffe's introduction as the cinema's new jungle man. After his role as Tarzan, Miles established himself as an action hero in his own right and would go on to have a long career in B-grade action movies, most notably, portraying a Conan-like swordsman in a series of "Ator" adventure films. Despite some of its faults, John Derek's vision of "Tarzan The Ape Man" still has enough going for it to keep you interested; Bo, Miles, chimps, lions, elephants and of course some beautiful location scenery. With its 6 Razzie Award nominations (Worst Actress, Worst Actor, Worst Director, Worst New Star, Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay), not to mention Bo actually won the award for Worst Actress, “Tarzan The Ape Man” has had enough said about it over the years that it makes you want to see it or revisit it, just to find out what all the fuss is about. One thing is for sure, “Tarzan The Ape Man”, is certainly a unique entry in the long-running and ever-so-popular Tarzan genre.

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Bo Derek & Miles O' Keeffe DVD Collections:
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Click here for Miles O'Keeffe Movies on DVD

Other "Tarzan" Classics - Now Available on DVD

The Tarzan Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD]
Johnny Weissmuller swings as the jungle hero, and Maureen O'Sullivan is his true love, Jane, in six classic MGM Tarzan actioners. See how the pair first met in "Tarzan, The Ape Man" (1932); ivory hunters threaten their idyllic life in "Tarzan and His Mate" (1934); Tarzan must rescue Jane from poachers in "Tarzan Escapes" (1936); the tree-dwelling duo take in an orphan boy who they name...well, Boy, in "Tarzan Finds a Son!" (1939); gold seekers take Jane and Boy hostage in "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941); and when Boy is kidnapped and taken to America, the ape man takes the Big Apple by storm in "Tarzan's New York Adventure" (1942). 8 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono.

The Tarzan Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD]
Jungle hero Johnny Weissmuller moved from MGM to RKO for his next six swinging action sagas. First, "Tarzan Triumphs" (1943) over Nazis who attempt to conquer a lost civilization; the search for a plant that will yield a malaria serum leads Tarzan and Boy (Johnny Sheffield) back into conflict with German agents, in "Tarzan's Desert Mystery" (1943); Tarzan and Jane (Brenda Joyce) help defend a female tribe from some nosy archeologists, in "Tarzan and the Amazons" (1945); a bizarre African cult must contend with an angry ape man when they attack Jane and Boy, in "Tarzan and the Leopard Woman" (1946); the jungle king goes up against poachers out to repopulate a zoo, in "Tarzan and the Huntress" (1947); and Weissmuller plays Tarzan for the last time in "Tarzan & The Mermaids" (1948).

Tarzan: King Of The Jungle [DVD]
Five-disc set includes "Tarzan the Fearless," "The New Adventures of Tarzan," "Tarzan and the Green Goddess," "Tarzan's Revenge," "Tarzan and the Trappers," and the Shirley Temple short "Kid 'in' Africa."

Greystoke: The Legend Of Tarzan, Lord Of The Apes [DVD]
Faithfully adapted from Burroughs' first Tarzan novel, this film from director Hugh Hudson ("Chariots of Fire") follows the adventures of the jungle lord as he is orphaned as an infant, grows up among the apes, and returns to England to reclaim his heritage. Christopher Lambert, Andie MacDowell, Ralph Richardson star. Includes footage not seen in American theaters; 137 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.

Pick Of The Flicks - Recommended Links:
Tarzan The Ape Man (1981) at Hollywood Teen Movies
Bo Derek at Hollywood Cult Movies
Miles O' Keeffe at Hollywood Cult Movies

Tarzan Movie Collection (1918 - 1998)
Kings Of The Jungle at Hollywood Cult Movies

Muscle Men Of Peplum at Hollywood Cult Movies
Cinematic Tough Guys at Hollywood Cult Movies

Sword & Sandal Epics (Pre-1970)
Sword & Sandal Epics (Post-1970)
Action & Mayhem at Hollywood Teen Movies
Tony's Cult Movies, Blockbusters & Classics

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