GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, KING OF THE APES

UK, 1984, 143 minutes, Colour.
Christopher Lambert, Andie Mac Dowell, Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm, James Fox, Ian Charleson, Nigel Davenport, Richard Griffiths, David Suchet.
Directed by Hugh Hudson.

Greystoke: the Legend of Tarzan, King of the Apes is a quite spectacular and intelligent treatment of the Tarzan story. The novels of Edgar Rice Burroughs have provided the basis for many Tarzans over the decades. However, they have tended to be popular adventures.

This film was written by P.Z. Vazak, a pseudonym for writer-director Robert Towne (Chinatown, Personal Best, Tequila Sunrise) and Michael Osden. It was directed by Hugh Hudson (Chariots of Fire, Revolution). French actor Christophe Lambert is introduced. He continued to have a successful career, both in French and English-speaking films. The film is also one of the last of Sir Ralph Richardson, to whom it is dedicated. There is a strong English supporting cast led by Ian Holm. Andie McDowell's voice was dubbed by Glenn Close.

The period is excellently re-created, beautiful themes of homes inScotland combine with African landscapes from the Cameroons. There is a fine musical score and everything has been lavished on the film to make it an intelligent spectacle, exploring the idea of the noble savage, of the British Empire and civilisation, the presumptions of empire.

1. An interesting and enjoyable film? In the Tarzan tradition? Audience expectations, differences? The film's acclaim?

2. An American author and his perspective on an English setting? The presentation of Africa, of the British Empire? The international appeal of the film? The work of Hugh Hudson?

3. Scottish and English locations, sense of period, style and decor, manners? The contrast with Africa and its rugged beauty, the coast, the rivers, the jungle, the world of the hunters, the outposts of empire? The mood, the score? The use of classic composers including Elgar and Bocherini?

4. Special effects and stunts, the apes and make-up, the actors? The presentation of animals - with humanity?

5. The title, the emphasis on nobility and heredity? The non-use of the name Tarzan? The contrast with the Earl of Greystoke and the Lord of the Apes? The presentation of empire society, the nature of civilisation and manners contrasting with the wild? The civilisation of British society, educated
manners, behaviour, stylised and arrogant, the outside observer like the Belgians? The ending of empire? Presumption, cruelty, the using of natives, the exploitation of animals, the sense of superiority in the world? The idea of the noble savage yet considering him savage? The innate goodness? The
b background of Darwin and his theories, evolution in action, selection, survival of the fittest, nature read in-tooth and claw?

6. The humanity of the film and its perspective on humanity: soul and spirit, will and choice, love and compassion? Humans and animals, choices and freedom, but instincts, and victims?

7. The presentation of the balance of the two worlds and the interaction? John and his inability to stay in English society? Was the end inevitable?

8. The opening: the Earl and his style, a lovable old eccentric, his love for his family, John's decision to go to Africa, the stoic farewells, the staff, the salute and the kiss? Establishing the Greystoke background, the role of
the Claytons? The rain, the transition to the wreck? The wife and her grief, the husband and his help, the captain mad and reiterating that it was not his fault? The passing of the month s, the diary the house, surviving? The birth of the child, the wife and her death and opting out?

9. The jungle and its atmosphere, the visuals, the apes and their life, the dead ape, the cry of the boy, the invasion of the apes, the attack and John's death?

10. The credibility of the boy's growing up, as a baby with the apes, as a young boy, mimicking, at home with them, the dangers, the swimming, getting older, the wounds, the apes saving him and tending him, his urinating on them, the joking style in the jungle, at home with the animals, fighting the lord of the apes, ousting him? The panther and the food supply? His growth and survival?

11. D'Arnot: the expedition, his observation of the callous and presumptuous British, Captain Jack and his attitude, the shooting of the animals for sport, the naturalist expedition, Sir Evelyn and his control? The native attack, the deaths and their violence, D'Arnot being wounded, his staggering away, pulling the arrows out, hiding in the tree, his first vision of John, his being saved by him?

12. The rescue, the communication, the mimicry, John carrying him to safety, seeing the apes fight and John becoming lord of the apes, the razor, the mirror, the mimicking of the words and sounds, his training him for six months, seeing him in the jungle, his consciousness of the family, urging him to return? Their leaving, clothes, shaving, travel, the outpost bar and the types there, their hostility, on the edge of society?

13. The earl and his preparation to receive his grandson, Sir Evelyn's commentary - and its vanity about the role of the British? The arrival, the bond with Johnny, the introduction to Jane - and the memory of the ring given by John's parents? Sharing with his grandfather? The manners, the meals, the arrival of Charles Esk, his disdain, his English voice being mimicked? The imitation of the animals? Jane and her fascination? The dance, his enjoyment of the civilised dance but the animal noises? His learning, sharing with his grandfather, enjoying the fishing?

14. Jane and her place in the household, charming young woman, her relationship with Esk, his proposal and her refusal? John and his being civilised? Esk and the beating of the servant and John frightening him? The double heritage? Jane trying to help him be the Earl of Greystoke?

15. The dance, the exuberance, the earl and his age, the story of the tray and the stairs, his repeating it, hitting his head, his death in John's arms? The funeral? Philippe's arrival? John and his mating rituals with Jane? Decisions about the future?

16. The opening of the museum, Jane and John as fiances, the speeches, Sir Evelyn's demonstration of the exhibit, John cutting the ribbon, his nausea with the exhibitions, the discovery of the ape, setting him free, outside in the park, up the tree, Sir Evelyn giving the word to shoot, John's grief and his shouting, that this was his father?

17. Sir Evelyn and the philosophy of civilisation and John's proper place, presumptions about the aristocracy? John and his grief, riding the horses, the attack on Sir Evelyn? Philip agreeing that he should return? Jane's grief but able to let him go?

18. The return to Africa, Philippe's expressed hope, Jane's farewell, his going back to the jungle?

19. How well did the film work as a narrative? Exploration of themes?