The film received a mixed-to-positive critical reception upon its release , with many praising the film as a welcome return of Tarzan to the silver screen after 1981 's '' Tarzan , the Ape Man '' starring Bo Derek . '' Greystoke '' went on to receive three Academy Award nominations at the 57th Academy Awards ceremony for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Richardson , Best Writing , Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium , and Best Makeup . It became the first ever Tarzan feature film to be nominated for an Academy Award ; the later Disney animated feature film adaptation became the first one to win an Academy Award
57th Academy Awards
57th Academy Awards
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes