Customer Reviews

Greystoke:Legend/Tarzan, Lord

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This simply has got to be one of the best Tarzan films ever made. Yet I can't help feeling that this Tarzan film is merely
a great prelude of what could have been a great series of more
Tarzan films. Christopher Lambert was excellent as Tarzan/John Clayton and Andie MacDowell looked beautiful as Jane (dubbed by
Glen Close). The scene of the jungle explorers traveling down
a African river via tramp steamer reminded me of Disney World's
Jungle Cruise ride exactly. Beautiful cinematography and Rick
Baker's ape effects were fantastic. This Tarzan film seems to take place around the late 1890s - early 1900s, so the attention
to period detail was very well done. So if jungle adventure and
romance is to your liking, check out this terrific film. Enjoy.

A few days ago I sat down and watched Greystoke: The Legend Of Tarzan which I hadn't seen since its original release about twenty-five years ago.

My biggest complaint with this film is it's pacing in some spots. It just seems to drag unlike the way I remember it. Or perhaps I, too, have become accustomed to more contemporary films with generally quicker pacing on average. I know this film isn't strictly faithful to Edgar Rice Burroughs original novel, but it does have a look and sensibility that feels right. Christopher Lambert isn't a bad Tarzan, but I think they could have cast better and someone with a little more meat to his physique. I think the film also needed something else to the story other than Tarzan/John Clayton dealing with being torn between two worlds. In some respects this might seem a more realistic take on Tarzan, but perhaps it's a bit too much so and there isn't enough larger-than-life aspects to the character and his world. I'm also reflecting on the covers I've seen on some of the Burroughs' Tarzan novels and I'm inclined to visualize those when I think of Tarzan---a little more larger-than-life action.

This isn't a bad film, but I can see where it could have been better.

I really liked this film. The feel and atmosphere are just great. It really gives you that circa 1900's English age of scientific discovery Darwinian feel. The apes are good in it. Christopher Lambert and Ralph Richardson give strong performances. The bottom line being that this is a well made, entertaining movie.

Beautiful and touching story. Great images and good performances. One of the classics of the 80's.

"Greystoke - The Legend of Tarzan" could have been a classic. Lord John Clayton of Greystoke is shipwrecked in Africa with his pregnant wife. Shortly after she gives birth, they both die from an ape attack. One of the apes take little John, and raise him as her own. He grows up strong but wild and savage (now played by Christopher Lambert). One day he is happened upon by a French explorer. He is eventually returned to his family, but he finds it hard to fit in with "civilized" people. Along the way, he falls in love with Jane (played by Andie MacDowell, but her voice was dubbed by Glen Close, why they did this I'll never know?). It had a populor director (Hugh Hudson), an accomplished writer (Robert Towne), was beautifully photographed (especially in the jungles, it is just breathtaking) and based on one of the most populor books of the 20th century by Edgar Rice Burroughs. But it isn't that good. What happened? Well, the first hour or so there is no dialogue; but that is okay, because the physical expressions of the apes and Tarzan are pretty self explanatory. (By the way, he is never referred to as 'Tarzan'.) When he is 'rescued' and moved to England, nothing very adventurous happenes there. What happened to pirates coming out of the wood work trying to kidnap Jane? Where are the warriors from Opar? I'm sorry, "Greystoke" was pretty dull. The actors do ok, I guess. Ian Holm is alright, good in fact. Ralf Richardson looked like he was having a good time, and the relationship between he and his grandson rang pretty true. It is hard to tell if MacDowell was any good, with being dubbed over. But what about Tarzan? Christopher Lambert was actually good. I really liked his performance as the childlike savage. He played being in awe of the city wonderfully. He didn't talk a lot, but maybe that is a good thing. His acting tends to be a little wooden; in fact, in my opinion, he just happens to be in the right place at the right time, like this one and "Highlander". I read the novels and I think about how this movie could have been so much more. Still, it is a beautifully shot movie, and it dose play fair, so it is worth your time. If you can find it, watch the extended version, it is a little bit more action packed (loved how Tarzan took out the entire outpost!).

Baffling why this hasn't been released until now. I've been waiting for years!

This is a wonderful film full of beautiful scenery and cinematography. The creature effects don't quite hold up like they used to, but Rick Baker is still the best "monkey man" in Hollywood. Lambert gives a passionate performance as does Sir Ian Holm. Andie MacDowell's (Jane) voice is actually dubbed by Glenn Close!

This is a film not to be missed. It beautifully captures the spirit of the novel, doing so through captivating performances and lush, atmospheric locations. I happen to like the playfulness exhibited by the lead character and his grandfather. It poignantly illustrates the idea of someone who has been for all intents and purposes, suspended it time and is only now discovering their childhood, and human affiliation. I plan on purchasing the DVD as soon as it is released in June. I highly recommend it!

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!

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).

This movie tells a great story, with exceptional acting from the entire cast, believable apes, and with an important message. This is Lamberts best role.

Who is the stupid movie Exec. who hasn't released this film to DVD yet? I've been waiting years to replace my aging VHS copy, and my patience is wearing thin.