United States

An infant boy raised to manhood among savage apes, living by his wits and the law of the jungle...who returns to society and tries to claim his inheritance of humanity and privilege. This extraordinary collision of two worlds, one wild, the other civilized, is the true story of Tarzan - and at last it has been brought to life. Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes is the full title of Hugh Hudson's magnificent epic film. And those who think they know the Tarzan story will be in for a thrilling surprise. For Tarzan is Greystoke: John Clayton, seventh Earl of Greystoke, heir to one of Scotland's grand estates. Greystoke not only presents the boys savage upbringing with superb realism and astonishing detail, it also depicts the casual barbarities of the civilization he must master — and you may wonder which is really the crueler world. Director Hudson, whose Chariots of Fire won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1981, seems destined to follow in David Lean's footsteps with a succession of classic Films that also become major hits. Greystoke has all the Ingredients of both: lavish sweep, exotic settings, powerful drama and fine performances by an entire cast immersed in the magic of the story being told. Particularly effective are the jungle scenes, spectacularly filmed by cinematographer John Alcott (2001 - A Space Odyssey, Barry Lyndon). Actors blend indistinguishably with real chimpanzees and Christopher Lambert, the young actor cast in the starring role, beautifully communicates the conflict between human form and wild soul. Greystoke is the definitive Tarzan, the tale never told on film - and a film to delight the imaginations of young and old alike.