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Greystoke - The Legend of Tarzan

Greystoke - The Legend of Tarzan

List Price: $14.98
Your Price: $13.48
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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Cool, but not as cool as it could be...
Review: First I have to say that this editorial reviewer above this is an idiot. He obviously never read the Tarzan books because in actuality the man that teaches Tarzan language and brings him back to society is a Frenchman. They did not just make this up for the movie, though they did make up a few other things.
I am a huge Tarzan fan, mostly the first 4 books, (there are 24 total.) This movie is most definitely the closest in relation with the book, but it still does not quite do it justice. The beginning is very well done, and Christopher Lambert (I think) does an excellent job of playing Tarzan, he's more like the Tarzan in the book and less like the Tarzan that Hollywood has concocted. It's pretty and holds your attention, but in the end is a bit of a dissapointment. It captures the spirit, but I still feel like I've never seen the Tarzan story captured perfectly on film. I think I'll just have to do it myself one day. It's fun to watch and good to see if you're a fan of the books just to get a glimpse of another person's interpretation. (And they've got Bilbo playing Tarzan's buddy! How funny!)

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: How the hell can they only rate this movie PG?
Review: Good God, do they think they put enough blood in this movie. They should've rated it R!!! Ya hear me, R!!!!!! R!!!!!!!!!!!! In fact I think I gave it more stars than it deserves.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: AT LONG LAST!!!!! But What About The Special Features?
Review: GREYSTOKE is without a doubt the best Tarzan movie ever made (though I must admit, the Disney version came pretty close). Not only is it the most loyal to Edgar Rice Burrough's original novel, but it's the only adaptation to contain real drama. GREYSTOKE has an epic scope and musical score, and a cast of fine actors, including Sir Ian Holm, Sir Ralph Richardson, Andie MacDowell (though she was dubbed over by Glenn Close), and Christopher Lambert in his very first movie, and what a way to start! With his eyes alone, he expresses an emotion that many actors can't even muster with their entire bodies. Add to that some of Rick Baker's best make-up work ever, and you've got yourself a doozie of a movie. In short, GREYSTOKE is a classic, much neglected by modern viewers.

I have been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. But alas, this movie was no where to be found on the DVD format. Well, the long wait is finally over. Though I was hoping for a Two-Disc Special Edition release, this is goods enough. I just hope that it has SOME special features. Or, maybe they could just work on the movie and include a commentary track. For instance, they should definitely release the extended version available on VHS, and return Andie MacDowell's original voice track. And of course, give the movie a new digital transfer with Dolby Digital 5.1, or maybe even DTS!

Just having this movie on DVD will be good enough for me. That said, Warner had better not screw this one up!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: an unlucky masterpiece
Review: Hudson seems to have been inspired by Burne Hogarth's notorious comic book adaptation of the legend as well as by Bourrough's original book. The visual richness of the atmosphere and the facial expressions of the apes were definitely striking for me when I watched the film for the very first time. I watched it for the 4th time today, and everything was still impressive. I don't think Lambert ever did a better acting throughout all his career. Everything from the screenplay to the voices excells perfection, but there is something "unlucky" with this film I think: It never attracted the attention it deserved as far as I know; and the reason to this is, most probably, the great gap between it and the earlier Tarzan movies, which may have mislead the expectations of the audience. This film is a masterpiece. It's clear, touching and rich...

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Movie review
Review: I always thought this was an interesting movie, very touching in some parts, particularly, in the whole of Ralph Richardson's performance, and in the relationship between John (Tarzan) and his grandfather and John and the explorer who rescues him. Not being overly familiar with Robert Towne's other work, aside from Chinatown & Personal Best, or his trials & tribulations in trying to get this film made, I had no expectations of "greatness". Could it have been a better film? Well, I think the fault must lie with the director. Chariots of Fire is a very stiff film, and "Greystoke" which I believe was his follow-up after the huge success of Chariots, suffers from this also. But its performances do help in lifting it away from that. I think of the movie as more of a romantic soap opera than anything else, and a pretty enjoyable one too. Apparently, the filmmakers aspired for more (a "message" perhaps), but what they ended up with was basically a historical romance, and on that level, it's a very good movie.


Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I think that this was a great movie.
Review: I don't know what kind of movies the other guy watches, but I think that this was a great movie, for it's time and now. A must to see.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Greystoke - The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
Review: I felt the film gave an adequate portrail of the book written by E.R. Boroughs. Christopher Lambert depicted Tarzan as one would imagine a human growing up in the jungle. His french accent gave credence to the original story where Tarzan, was taught the spoken language of French by Lt. D'Arnut. The scene with the ape attacking and killing his family is not romanticised - It appears as a wild animal jealously defending his territory against intruders. Tarzan's relationship with the apes that raised him is touching and the jungle scenes are fantastic. As well as are Christopher Lambert's portrail of Tarzan's difficulties adapting to the restrictions of "civilized" society. The film takes a number of "artistic licenses" in numerous places - which is a shame as the original story would be easily depicted in flim. The acting was very good and the sets fantastic! Overall the film would be worth viewing as the story moves fast enough to keep your interest, and it [film] will make you re-think who is really the savage beasts - man or animal (who is living by the most basic laws of nature - driven by survival and not greed)?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I Just Don't Get Why They Call It A "Missed Opportunity."
Review: I love those classic MGM Tarzan flicks with Johnny Weissmuller (classics all the way), and the 1999 animated Tarzan was IMHO the last great Disney film. But GREYSTOKE is without a doubt my favorite Tarzan film of all time. Not only is the only live-action adaptation to capture real emotion and drama, but it is also the most realistic. This is mainly due to the vastly underrated Christopher Lambert in the title role. He is absolutely amazing to watch, especially in his reactions to the new English surroundings. The supporting cast is first-rate, as well. You have Sir Ian Holm as the explorer who finds Tarzan, Andie MacDowell in her film debut as Jane, and the late, the great Ralph Richardson as Lord Greystoke. Add onto this a gorgeous musical score, stunning African jungle backgrounds, and some of Rick Baker's best make-up work ever, and you've got one helluva good motion picture.

I just can't believe how many people regard this movie as one of those "what-could-have-been" disasters. I hadn't seen the film in years, so when I picked up the DVD, I was prepared to think the same thing do to my older age and higher expectations as a film buff. Well let me tell you, it's even better than I remembered it! If the film did indeed have a troubled production, it certainly doesn't show on-screen. It's a beautiful movie, and required viewing.

The new DVD ain't too shabby, either. The picture looks great and the sound is very clear, if a bit lacking in surround. However, being the film's 20th Anniversary, I would've expected quite a bit more extras. All we get is a director's commentary, which is incredibly boring. But for such a low price tag, it's not a bad buy.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This Movie Should Be on DVD!
Review: I never read the Tarzan book that this movie is based on but I saw this movie and I thought it was good and this along with Highlander is one of Christopher Lambert's best movies! The talented and handsome Christopher Lambert did a great job playing Tarzan and the rest of the cast was good too. Andie MacDowell who played Jane in what I think was her first movie had her voiced dubbed over by Glenn Close apparently because the makers of this movie decided Andie's accent was too southern and having seen Andie in other movies I think she is a good acctress and her voice has always sounded fine to me and as much as I like Glenn Close I always wonder what the movie would have been like if they hadn't had her dub her voice over Andie's. I also wonder why this movie isn't on DVD yet and I hope that they will put the movie on DVD soon (Widescreen).

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: New twist on a tired genre
Review: I really enjoyed this movie! I first saw it when I was a teenager, and I thought Tarzan was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. The movie makes an interesting story from a worn-out genre that has been told time and time again in Hollywood. Nice acting. Gorgeous cinematography!


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