If you think you know Tarzan, check out Tarzan the Ape Man (1981), a version that flips the perspective to tell the story through Jane Parker's eyes. This film is not the Tarzan you know; it's a romantic movie focusing on the relationship between a wild man and a civilized woman, with scenes that became legendary in cinema. But is it worth your time? Let's find out.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Jane Parker (Bo Derek) travels to Africa to find her father, James (Richard Harris), a elephant hunter living in the jungle, along with Harry Holt (John Phillip Law). During the journey, Jane encounters Tarzan (Miles O'Keeffe), a strong, speechless wild man. Several meetings lead to a passionate sexual relationship. When Jane's group is captured by a native tribe, Tarzan must come to the rescue.
Acting and Characters
Bo Derek as Jane is the film's selling point, with her braided hair look becoming an icon of the 80s. But her acting is quite simple, focusing more on smiling and running than deep emotions. Richard Harris as Jane's father does well as a tough elephant hunter. Miles O'Keeffe as Tarzan looks good with muscles, but his facial expressions and body language are limited, making Tarzan seem more like a mannequin than a lively wild man.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
John Derek, the director and Bo Derek's husband, chose to film in Sri Lanka instead of Africa, resulting in beautiful tropical jungle visuals but lacking realism in terms of wildlife and local culture. The camera constantly captures Bo Derek in the most flattering angles, as if it's a music video or advertisement. The score by Perry Botkin Jr. has an African vibe but is not outstanding.
Editorial Analysis
This version of Tarzan the Ape Man was highly controversial in its time because the love scenes between Tarzan and Jane were considered too explicit for an adventure film. But what the film presents is Jane's perspective, viewing Tarzan as a sexual object rather than a fearsome wild man. Thus, the film feels more like an erotic fantasy than a realistic adventure. If you accept it as a woman's fantasy about a wild man, you might enjoy it. But if you expect a Tarzan film focused on action or depth, you'll be disappointed.
Verdict
<p>If you're a fan of 80s romantic films with beautiful visuals and don't mind a thin plot, <strong>Tarzan the Ape Man</strong> might please you. But if you expect a realistic Tarzan with intense action, skip this and watch another version.</p>
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Beautiful tropical jungle visuals
- +Bo Derek is naturally stunning
- +A unique perspective different from other Tarzan versions
👎 Cons
- −Thin plot, focusing more on sexual relationship than adventure
- −Miles O'Keeffe's acting is too limited
- −Lacks realism in terms of wildlife and culture
Top Cast
FAQ
No, it is not suitable for children due to love scenes and some violence.
Only one, but there is an unofficial sequel; no direct sequel to this 1981 version.
This version is told from Jane's perspective and focuses on the romantic relationship between Jane and Tarzan rather than adventure.
