Tarzan the Ape Man

1981
Approved
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

3.5/10

6.4K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:31

Jungle Adventure Adventure Drama

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

3.5/10

6.4K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

470

5,048

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 10 nominations total

Ivory King
(as Steven Strong)

Maxime Philoe

Riano

Leonard Bailey

Feathers

Wilfrid Hyde-White

Club Member
(voice)

Laurie Main

Club Member
(voice)

Harold Ayer

Club Member
(voice)

C.J. the Orangutan

Orangutan
(uncredited)

Tony Longo

Stunts
(uncredited)

Neal

Lion
(uncredited)

Director
- John Derek
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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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
[in the dark of night, they hear Tarzan yelling]
Parker: Oh, shut up, you boring son of a bitch!

Crazy credits
On the MGM logo, the MGM lion's roar is replaced with Tarzan's yell.

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 reviews79

Review

Featured review

5/10

The one thing Tarzan and Jane have in common - no underwear

The one thing that Tarzan and Jane have in common in this movie is that neither wears underwear. Tarzan is presumed by that loin cloth, but Bo Derek makes sure the audience knows it...no bra, wet see thru clothing, and sometimes totally nude, but certain parts still hid. Director John Derek had a great canvas with Bo to put on screen. She is simply stunning, and one of the most stunning actresses in movie history. That said, the movies she made were mainly stupid, including this one. Bo's style of making Jane innocent is sort of fun to watch, but this is a film that is best watched at home, where you can fast-forward through Richard Harris' parts, and much of the rest of it. This film is only for the Bo Derek-body watchers. She delivers in that respect. Only lately has Bo started making pretty decent films. But this film highlights her top-achievement in the 1980's - the bra-less wet-look, displayed in a way that makes it look oh, so natural.