Watch Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is a 1984 adventure drama film that tells the story of Tarzan's origins. The movie is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' novel Tarzan of the Apes and follows the journey of John Clayton (Christopher Lambert), a British nobleman who is the sole survivor of a shipwreck in the African jungle. He is then adopted and raised by a tribe of apes who he learns to live with and understand.

As Tarzan grows older, he becomes more curious about his past and his human origins. He then meets Jane Porter (Andie MacDowell), a young American woman who visits Africa with her father and becomes Tarzan's love interest. Tarzan's journey is also accompanied by his interactions with an older generation of Britons represented by his grandfather, the Earl of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson), and his fawning, imperious uncle, William (Ian Holm).

The movie explores the themes of identity, cultural conflicts, and self-discovery, following Tarzan's journey from his adoptive tribe to the discovery of his own human heritage. It is also a story of Tarzan's coming of age and transformation into a man who has to make his own choices and follow his own path. As he learns more about his past and encounters new challenges, Tarzan experiences a powerful internal struggle that tests his loyalty to his tribe, his love, and his own sense of identity.

What makes Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, stand apart from previous adaptations of the Tarzan story, is the way it presents the character as a complex human being, rather than a mere wild man of the jungle. The film aims to give a more nuanced portrayal of a man who is caught between two worlds and struggles to reconcile his nature with his duty towards his own kind.

The movie boasted a star-studded cast, with Christopher Lambert delivering a compelling and convincing performance as Tarzan, conveying the character's wildness, intelligence and complexity with ease. Andie MacDowell also delivers a strong performance as Jane, portraying her as a tough and smart character who is able to hold her own in the harsh African wilderness. The legendary Ralph Richardson adds depth and dignity as the Earl of Greystoke, the grandfather who has a profound impact on Tarzan's life.

The movie's production design and cinematography also deserves a special mention. The African landscape is beautifully shot, creating an immersive and realistic portrayal of the jungle environment. The apes, played by actors in elaborate costumes and make-up, are also well-executed, enhancing the realism of the film.

Overall, Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes, is a powerful and evocative film that manages to breathe new life into an old story. It brought a fresh perspective to the character of Tarzan and helped to establish Christopher Lambert as a Hollywood star. While it may not have attained the same level of popularity as other film adaptations of Tarzan over the years, it remains a classic and critically acclaimed movie that deserves more recognition, as well as an audience who appreciates the deeper themes and significance of its story.

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is a 1984 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 62.