THE NAKED APE
US, 1973, 85 minutes, Colour.
Johnny Crawford, Victoria Principal, John Hillerman.
Directed by Donald Driver.
The Naked Ape is based on a very popular book of the 1970s, a pop anthropology book by Desmond Morris.
This version was produced by Hugh Hefner – which indicates some of the tone that the material and treatment take. However, it is an exploration of human beings, what it is to be human, the comparisons with ape ancestry, and an emphasis on relationships and sexuality. The stars are Johnny Crawford who appeared in Rifleman on television and Victoria Principal (later in Dallas).
The film is episodic, not particularly well performed. However, there are some animation sequences intercut with the action which are both serious and humorous – with some touches of satire.
The film echoes a lot of the thinking and style of the late 60s and early 70s – and seems somewhat dated in many aspects now.
1. The popular status of pop psychology and anthropology? Magazine articles, best sellers? Films like this?
2. The overall impact in terms of learning, visual stimulation and suggestion of ideas? Of what value, film value? Elementary suggestion? Altering of attitudes? The reputation of this book, somewhat sensational, scientific, parody? Satire? Appealing to audience curiosity?
3. How filmable is this kind of book? (The ironic sponsorship by Playboy?) How predominant was the documentary style? satirical? An example of visual op art?
4. The skill of the evolutionary animation during the credits? The theme of unification of life in the universe? A presupposition for the rest of the film?
5. How successful in focussing on two characters? Johnny Crawford and Victoria Principal playing all these parts? Seeing them in the various situations, the presentation of every man and every woman?
6. The structure: the nature in the various episodes, illustrations? The museum situation and the guide, the war situation? Flashbacks, flashbacks within flashbacks? The episodes as though they were exhibits within the museum? The cumulative effect of all the episodes? Commentary by juxtaposition?
7. The war framework for Everyman, the implications? Themes of aggression and survival etc.? Animals in the jungle? The contrast with every woman as guide? How well did the principals have a chance to develop the various characters? The minor characters? other soldiers, people in the tour?
8. The quality of the humour, the nature of the satire? Exploration of themes of human aggression, sexuality, titillation, marriage, creativity, use of tools? How tellingly done?
9. Presuppositions about human nature, human values? Optimism, pessimism?
10. The commercial viability of such a film? Theatrical release, television appreciation?
