Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A baby raised by apes learns French, inherits a castle, then quits to become an ape again.

🍿 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Shipwreck and Jungle Birth

In 1885, John Clayton (Paul Geoffrey) and his pregnant wife Alice (Cheryl Campbell) are shipwrecked off the coast of Africa. They manage to build a treehouse to survive, but Alice succumbs to fever after giving birth to their son, John Jr. The baby’s cries soon attract an ape named Kala, who has just lost her own infant.

Kala’s Adoption and Tarzan’s Upbringing

Ape leader White Eyes kills Clayton. Kala rescues the infant, raising him as her own and naming him Tarzan. Tarzan, played as a child by Danny Potts and later by Eric Langlois, struggles to fit in with the apes. His human traits, like swimming, eventually prove advantageous. The jungle presents constant dangers, teaching the young Tarzan survival skills.

Discovery and Return to Civilization

Years later, an adult Tarzan (Christopher Lambert) discovers the ruins of his parents’ treehouse, finding clues to his origins. He later encounters Capitaine Phillippe D’Arnot (Ian Holm), a shipwrecked explorer. D’Arnot gradually teaches Tarzan language and reveals his noble lineage, convincing him to return to England and claim his inheritance as Lord Greystoke.

Life in Victorian England

Tarzan, now known as John Clayton, struggles to adapt to the rigid social structures of Victorian England. He meets his grandfather, the Sixth Earl of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson), and forms a bond with the Earl’s ward, Jane Porter (Andie MacDowell). Jane helps John learn customs and etiquette, but his wild instincts often clash with societal expectations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Clayton (Christopher Lambert): Raised by apes in the African jungle, John Clayton struggles to reconcile his wild upbringing with his inherited title and responsibilities as the Earl of Greystoke in Victorian society.
• Miss Jane Porter (Andie MacDowell): A young woman and Lord Greystoke’s ward who finds herself drawn to John Clayton, teaching him civilized customs and eventually falling in love with him.
• Capitaine Phillippe D’Arnot (Ian Holm): The Belgian explorer who discovers John Clayton living among the apes and takes it upon himself to civilize him and return him to his ancestral home.
• The Sixth Earl of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson): The aging Earl of Greystoke, who welcomes his long-lost grandson, John Clayton, back to England with a mix of affection and bemusement.
• Lord Charles Esker (James Fox): A stuffy member of the British Aristocracy, is the rejected suitor for Jane’s hand and an antagonist towards John Clayton upon his arrival.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Capitaine Phillippe D’Arnot: “Dinner is serving. No! Arrived, dinner has arrived is a slightly better translation.” – D’Arnot humorously translates the cannibals’ words to Sir Evelyn Blount.
• John Clayton: “He was my father!” – John cries out in anguish after Silverbeard (the ape who raised him) is shot.
• John Clayton: “One half of me is Greystoke. The other half is wild!” – John fiercely declares his divided nature to Blount, explaining his inability to fully integrate into civilized society.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $45,858,563
• Worldwide Gross: $45,858,563

💥 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being completely mesmerized by ‘Greystoke’ when I first saw it. The jungle scenes felt so real, and Christopher Lambert’s portrayal of Tarzan as a man caught between two worlds was incredibly moving. I especially loved the scene where he visits the natural history museum and is horrified by the treatment of animals. It really made me think about what it means to be civilized. The ending, while bittersweet, felt true to the character’s journey. The music too contributed to the experience. A movie that has stayed with me for years.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic literature adaptations”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about identity and belonging”
  • “People who like visually stunning period pieces”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including animal deaths and fighting”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Themes of animal exploitation”
  • “Some scenes may be emotionally disturbing”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “Greystoke offers a visually stunning and refreshingly serious take on the Tarzan legend, though its pacing and split narrative might not appeal to all viewers. Christopher Lambert delivers a captivating performance, and Rick Baker’s ape makeup is truly remarkable. A memorable, if imperfect, cinematic experience.
• Empire Magazine: “A lavish and ambitious retelling of Tarzan, ‘Greystoke’ impresses with its stunning visuals and strong performances, particularly from Ralph Richardson. However, the film’s slow pace and over-reliance on melodrama detract from its overall impact. A noble effort that ultimately falls short of its potential.

Audience Reactions

The ape makeup and jungle scenery were incredibly realistic and immersive.: Viewers praised the film’s unique take on the Tarzan story, appreciating its serious tone and stunning visuals.

The first half’s portrayal of Tarzan’s life with the apes was great and really engaging: Viewers agreed that the first half was really well filmed and contained great attention to detail

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning and thought-provoking take on the Tarzan legend, though its slow pace and split narrative may not appeal to all viewers. Regarded as the most accurate adaptation of the books.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Makeup)- 1985

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Robert Towne, initially credited as the screenwriter, removed his name from the project due to disagreements with director Hugh Hudson. He was credited under the pseudonym P.H. Vazak, which was the name of his pet sheepdog.”
• “Andie MacDowell’s voice was dubbed by Glenn Close due to director Hugh Hudson’s dissatisfaction with her Southern accent.”
• “The ape suits were designed by Rick Baker, a renowned makeup artist known for his work on ‘An American Werewolf in London’ and ‘Planet of the Apes’. The detailed and realistic ape costumes were a significant achievement for the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes?

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes can be found on various streaming platforms and for purchase. Check Amazon Prime Video for rental or purchase options. You may also find it available on platforms such as Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD are widely available for purchase at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, you might like these similar films:

• The Jungle Book (2016): A modern, visually stunning adaptation of a classic story about a boy raised in the jungle by animals.
• The Emerald Forest (1985): Similar themes of a child raised in the jungle who struggles to adapt to civilization and feels a stronger connection to the wild.
• Brother Bear (2003): An animated feature film that deals with themes of nature, transformation, and understanding different perspectives, much like Tarzan’s journey.

🛒 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Related Products

• Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, Vol. 1: 1967-1969: Experience the classic Tarzan comic strips by Russ Manning, capturing the adventure and excitement of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s iconic character.
• Tarzan (The Centennial Series): Own a beautifully designed hardcover edition of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s original Tarzan novel, perfect for collectors and fans of the series.
• The Jungle Book (Blu-ray): The Jungle Book is a timeless adventure set in the jungles of India, featuring Mowgli, a human boy raised by wolves, and his friends Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther.
• Tarzan: Lord of the Jungle (1976): A nostalgic nod to the classic animated series. A great way to have a different view on Tarzan and the jungle he protects.

🎧 Soundtrack

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by John Scott
• “The Forest” – performed by John Scott

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

TARZAN ACTORS (1918-2016) THROUGH THE YEARS

Ever wonder who played Tarzan before and after Christopher Lambert? This video shows all the actors who took on the role, and it’s fascinating to see how the character has changed over the years. I was surprised by some of the early Tarzans!

Christopher Lambert for Greystoke march 1984

Want to hear Christopher Lambert talk about preparing for his role in Greystoke? This is a rare interview from 1984. You gotta hear his thoughts on bringing Tarzan to life; it’s super insightful!

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