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IMDbPro

Tarzan the Ape Man

  • 19811981
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
3.4/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Bo Derek in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
Theatrical Trailer from MGM
Play trailer2:31
2 Videos
27 Photos
AdventureDrama
While on an African expedition with her father, Jane Parker meets Tarzan, and the two become fascinated by each other.While on an African expedition with her father, Jane Parker meets Tarzan, and the two become fascinated by each other.While on an African expedition with her father, Jane Parker meets Tarzan, and the two become fascinated by each other.
IMDb RATING
3.4/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
    • John Derek
    • Tom Rowe(screenplay by)
    • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
    • Gary Goddard(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bo Derek
    • Richard Harris
    • Miles O'Keeffe
    • John Derek
    • Tom Rowe(screenplay by)
    • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
    • Gary Goddard(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Bo Derek
    • Richard Harris
    • Miles O'Keeffe
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 72User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 24Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos2

    Tarzan, The Ape Man
    Trailer 2:31
    Watch Tarzan, The Ape Man
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 39
    Video 15:49
    Watch Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 39

    Photos27

    Bo Derek, Miles O'Keeffe, and C.J. the Orangutan in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and C.J. the Orangutan in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and Miles O'Keeffe in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and Miles O'Keeffe in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Miles O'Keeffe in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and John Derek in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek, Miles O'Keeffe, and C.J. the Orangutan in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and Richard Harris in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and Miles O'Keeffe in Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek at an event for Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek at an event for Tarzan the Ape Man (1981)
    Bo Derek and Dudley Moore in 10 (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bo Derek
    Bo Derek
    • Jane Parker
    Richard Harris
    Richard Harris
    • James Parker
    Miles O'Keeffe
    Miles O'Keeffe
    • Tarzan
    John Phillip Law
    John Phillip Law
    • Harry Holt
    Akushula Selayah
    • Africa
    Steve Strong
    • Ivory King
    Maxime Philoe
    • Riano
    Leonard Bailey
    • Feathers
    Wilfrid Hyde-White
    Wilfrid Hyde-White
    • Club Member
    • (voice)
    Laurie Main
    Laurie Main
    • Club Member
    • (voice)
    Harold Ayer
    Harold Ayer
    • Club Member
    • (voice)
    C.J. the Orangutan
    • Orangutan
    • (uncredited)
    Tony Longo
    Tony Longo
    • Stunts
    • (uncredited)
    Neal
    Neal
    • Lion
    • (uncredited)
      • John Derek
      • Tom Rowe(screenplay by)
      • Edgar Rice Burroughs(based upon the characters created by)
      • Gary Goddard(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      During a scene involving Jane attempting to get away from Tarzan, Miles O'Keeffe found himself face-to-face with Neal a full grown African lion, who took on the part of the gallant gentleman saving the damsel in distress. Neal, escaping his holding pen, dived into the fray, apparently more intent on protecting Bo Derek than attacking Miles O'Keeffe (it was noted that the two-hundred-pound man wasn't injured by the five-hundred-pound cat). The handler was on the scene almost immediately and stopped the interaction. Although neither human star was injured, rumor had it that Miles O'Keeffe thereafter made a habit of checking the security of the holding pen whenever other scenes of "violence" toward Bo Derek were done, citing a deep respect for Bo Derek's formidable self-appointed bodyguard.
    • Goofs
      There are no wild Orangutans in Africa. They are native to Borneo and Sumatra.
    • Quotes

      [It's night. We hear Tarzan yelling]

      Parker: Oh, shut up, you boring son of a bitch!

    • Crazy credits
      Tarzan and Jane play with an orangutan throughout the end credits.
    • Alternate versions
      CBS edited 17 minutes from this film for its 1983 network television premiere.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Michael Landon/Bo Derek (1981)

    User reviews72

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    4/10
    Very Camp
    This is the best film the Derek couple has ever made and if you think this is a recommendation then you haven't seen any of the others. There are the usual ingredients: it is just as poorly acted as their other efforts, we can watch Bo disrobing or auditioning for wet T-shirt contests quite frequently, the story is just laughably idiotic, and the film takes itself much too seriously. And then: Orang Utans in Africa?

    But it has a few things going for it. Bo looks great, the production values (sets, costumes, etc.) are quite good, and this greatly enhances its camp value. In a strange way it is actually quite funny, simply because it tries to be serious and fails so badly.
    helpful•28
    4
    • SMK-4
    • Dec 16, 1998

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 24, 1981 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Sri Lanka
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • Svengali Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 55 minutes
      • Mono

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