Rating: 
Summary: There are some bad movies you have to see just to believe
Review: I remember watching the trailer for "Tarzan the Ape Man" and be so impressed by the shot of a half naked figure on an exotic beach. To this day I think that shot of Miles O'Keeffe as Tarzan, rising majestically from his crouch, is the single most impressive shot in a Trazan film in the history of the world. The problem, of course, is that despite the title this 1981 film from director John Derek is supposed to be showcasing his wife, Bo Derek, who plays Jane. You would think that have a great looking Tarzan in a Tarzan movie would be a good thing, but he ends up being only secondary eye candy in this film.Granted, "Tarzan the Ape Man" is a legendary bad film, but it is the sort of bad film that you really have to see to believe. You can have a lot of fun laughing at a movie. In terms of Tarzan films this goes back to the Johnny Weismuller approach; actually, it goes beyond, because this Tarzan says absolutely nothing, which would be the Elmo Lincoln approach I guess. More importantly, he looks like if he had to go hand-to-hand with a great ape he would end up standing at the end (compare him to Christopher Lambert in "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan," which is still the film version that best embodies the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel). The big irony here is that if Bo Derek said nothing the film would be greatly improved; the problem with this film is not so much the visual images as the lousy dialogue (this is symbolized by the fact that the film begins with Tarzan's yell replacing the roar of the MGM lion in the opening credit). Bo shared the Razzie Award for Worst Actress with Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest"; this film might have been bad but it managed to avoid winning any other awards, leaving those honors (or lacks thereof) to the likes of "Heaven's Gate" and Klinton Spilsbury in "The Legend of the Lone Ranger." Richard Harris plays Jane's father and tries gamely to bring some dignity and intelligence to the film, but Bo's babe in the woods act keeps bringing the film crashing down (when she starts crying about getting painted white near the end of the film is when I lost it). I had a friend who insisted that this was supposed to be a comedy, an outright spoof, and that nobody should be taken it literally. I have to disagree. They thought this was going to be a more sensual version of the Tarzan story, more like "The Blue Lagoon" for grown ups than anything else. However, the black & white films that Weismuller made with Maureen O'Sullivan in the early 1930s during the pre-Code era are still the sexiest Tarzan films ever made. As Bo Derek amply proves in this film, there is such a thing as showing too much skin. The rating for this film has to do with its unintended entertainment value and not its quality. Again, there are simply some films in the Bottom 100 of all time that you have to see to appreciate why they have found their appropriate place in cinematic history.
Rating:
Summary: There are some bad movies you have to see just to believe
Review: I remember watching the trailer for "Tarzan the Ape Man" and be so impressed by the shot of a half naked figure on an exotic beach. To this day I think that shot of Miles O'Keeffe as Tarzan, rising majestically from his crouch, is the single most impressive shot in a Trazan film in the history of the world. The problem, of course, is that despite the title this 1981 film from director John Derek is supposed to be showcasing his wife, Bo Derek, who plays Jane. You would think that have a great looking Tarzan in a Tarzan movie would be a good thing, but he ends up being only secondary eye candy in this film. Granted, "Tarzan the Ape Man" is a legendary bad film, but it is the sort of bad film that you really have to see to believe. You can have a lot of fun laughing at a movie. In terms of Tarzan films this goes back to the Johnny Weismuller approach; actually, it goes beyond, because this Tarzan says absolutely nothing, which would be the Elmo Lincoln approach I guess. More importantly, he looks like if he had to go hand-to-hand with a great ape he would end up standing at the end (compare him to Christopher Lambert in "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan," which is still the film version that best embodies the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel). The big irony here is that if Bo Derek said nothing the film would be greatly improved; the problem with this film is not so much the visual images as the lousy dialogue (this is symbolized by the fact that the film begins with Tarzan's yell replacing the roar of the MGM lion in the opening credit). Bo shared the Razzie Award for Worst Actress with Faye Dunaway in "Mommie Dearest"; this film might have been bad but it managed to avoid winning any other awards, leaving those honors (or lacks thereof) to the likes of "Heaven's Gate" and Klinton Spilsbury in "The Legend of the Lone Ranger." Richard Harris plays Jane's father and tries gamely to bring some dignity and intelligence to the film, but Bo's babe in the woods act keeps bringing the film crashing down (when she starts crying about getting painted white near the end of the film is when I lost it). I had a friend who insisted that this was supposed to be a comedy, an outright spoof, and that nobody should be taken it literally. I have to disagree. They thought this was going to be a more sensual version of the Tarzan story, more like "The Blue Lagoon" for grown ups than anything else. However, the black & white films that Weismuller made with Maureen O'Sullivan in the early 1930s during the pre-Code era are still the sexiest Tarzan films ever made. As Bo Derek amply proves in this film, there is such a thing as showing too much skin. The rating for this film has to do with its unintended entertainment value and not its quality. Again, there are simply some films in the Bottom 100 of all time that you have to see to appreciate why they have found their appropriate place in cinematic history.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad!
Review: I saw Tarzan the Ape Man on HBO or Cinemax when I was a teenager and it is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I'm not a prude and I have nothing against nudity in movies but there really should be more to a movie then nudity and there should be a plot!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best underrated movies ever!
Review: I saw this Trazan movie when it first came out in 1981, I was just 9 years old and I loved it! I think Bo Derek is very beautiful as Jane and Miles O' Keeffe is one of the best looking Trazans I have ever seen. The movie is a bit erotic but it is all in good taste and fits in well with the story such as Jane taking a swim in the logan. Bo is a natural beauty and I dont find any smut in this film. It is told from Janes point of view, that makes it different. As amazing as Bo and Miles are to look at,the lacation in the jungle where they filmed has lots of beautiful fottage. It is slow moving at times and Trazan could have learned to talk but remember he lived in the jungle his entire life, he's even afraid of Jane when they meet. Over all I think this is a great movie. I have no idea why its not more popular. I love it!!Bo is my Hero!!!
Rating:
Summary: On a scale of 1 to 5 stars, this one deserves minus infinity
Review: I've been going to movies for more than 40 years now, and this one is surely the worst I ever paid to see. A friend who lusted seriously after Bo Derek dragged me to see Tarzan, the Ape Man, for which I have never forgiven him. Bo is certainly a stunning woman, and after I saw 10, I thought she might be a promising actress too. But then I saw Tarzan the Ape Man, and was disabused of that notion forever. This film lacks any redeeming value whatever, except unintentional laughs. As Tarzan, Miles O'Keeffe may be a hunk, but that begs the question, "A hunk of what?" (I vote for granite.) But the ineptitude of Derek & O'Keeffe pales against the ridiculous scenery-chewing of Richard Harris, giving what must be the worst performance ever by a big-name actor. Harris' big moment comes when he says to Derek, "That...APE...that...BEAST...wants...YOOOUUUU!!!" As for Derek and O'Keeffe, THEIR big moment comes when they stand up to their necks in the water of a lagoon. O'Keeffe, who never speaks during the entire film, stares at Derek with the glazed look of a stuffed gorilla. Derek, eating a banana (YIKES!), says in her kewpie-doll voice, "I probably shouldn't tell you this (munch, munch), but I'm a virgin." If this sounds like your kind of movie, be my guest. But don't say I didn't warn you.
Rating:
Summary: Trash can be a great thing!
Review: loosen up & keep an open mind so that you can enjoy a movie for what it is, instead of what you think it should be!
Tarzan the ape man is basically, a colorful and animalistic sexual fantasy realised on 35mm film.
This movie wants you to escape into its lush jungle setting and pretend that it is you with the loin-cloth on.
It succeded in doing what it wanted to do; to tease you.
This is not a Disney movie. This is not an action movie.
This is an erotic drama.
If you can dig that, I think you'll enjoy this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Sexy Ape Man!
Review: Many actors have portrayed the ape man over the years, but none with the sexuality that O'Keeffe brings to the role. This movie has often been lamented as being the worst Tarzan movie in the bunch, but I diagree. In my opinion, O'Keeffe has the most "tarzanesque" features and portrays the ape man with a modern spin despite the Derek's keeping him mute. But who cares with that body and tiny loincloth? It seems ashame that we have a perfect ape man in an admittedly less than perfect story. Imagine how good this movie could have been with a proper screen play? If only they would have put O'Keeffe in another Tarzan movie--it's just not. Anyhow my advice watch Tarzan the Ape Man for Miles O'Keeffe and his incredible body.
Rating: 
Summary: Tarzan is a babe
Review: Miles O'Keefe played an excellent Tarzan! I think the whole cast was perfect. I have been looking to purchase this movie since it first came out. Love it!
Rating:
Summary: BO-ring!!!!
Review: Possibly one of the worst movies ever made, Bo and John manage to massacre the Tarzan legend while wreaking cinematic havoc with this unbelievably bad waste of celluloid. Where to begin....the lousy script, the poopy cinematography, the atrocious acting....I can't think of enough adjectives to describe how bad this actually is. As for erotic - forget it. Jane should have boffed the ape instead. Jane and papa head through the jungle, delayed by her repeated falls into the river. Despite the time period, when women were supposed to be modest, Jane doesn't seem to know what underwear is. Yeesh. I can't believe people actually paid to see this tripe. If you must watch it, rent it and save some $. You'll be glad you did
Rating:
Summary: Bo-ring!
Review: The mega sexy Bo Derek salvages an otherwise slipshod depiction of the book.
|
