Tarzan the Ape Man

Tarzan the Ape Man reinterprets the classic tale through Jane Porter's perspective. Jane travels to Africa to visit her father and joins his expedition into the wild. She meets Tarzan, a man raised by apes who moves with a primal grace, and a complex bond grows between them as curiosity, danger, and attraction mingle. The story follows their fragile connection amid action set pieces and comic relief, while Jane weighs her modern sensibilities against the wilderness. When the expedition is captured by a hostile group, Tarzan steps in to protect his companion and the others. The tone favors humor and romance alongside jungle daring, keeping twists to a minimum. Their partnership tests norms and survival, weaving romance with danger today.

Directed by John Derek, this 1981 adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan stories stars Bo Derek as Jane and Miles O'Keeffe as Tarzan, leaning toward spectacle and romance rather than fidelity to the source, and it sparked debate among fans.

Box office receipts totaled 36,565,280 dollars worldwide, making it a respectable if not blockbuster performer for an action adventure of its era, and it found audiences beyond the United States. Its box office performance varied by region and audience widely.

The film stands out less for groundbreaking ideas than for its star driven appeal and the infamous behind the scenes attention it drew. Bo Derek's image, paired with John Derek's controversial approach to the project, left a lasting footprint in pop culture discussions of the era, and the era's gaze.

Critical reception was mixed, with praise for performances and humor offset by criticisms of tone and pacing. The film frames Jane's perspective against colonial era tropes, exploring power dynamics, gender roles, and the pull between civilization and the wild. Some critics also noted its playful tone blending action with humor.