Link (film)

Link

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1986
Founder	Richard Franklin (director), Everett De Roche (screenplay), Lee David Zlotoff and Tom Ackermann (story)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Horror film

Link is a 1986 British horror film featuring performances by Elisabeth Shue and Terence Stamp, alongside three primate performers: Locke portraying Link, Jed as Imp, and Carrie as Voodoo. The central figure, "Link," is an exceptionally intelligent yet hostile chimpanzee character, played by an orangutan, who reacts aggressively when his caretakers attempt to put him down.

The movie was directed by Richard Franklin with a screenplay by Everett De Roche, based on a story developed by Lee David Zlotoff and Tom Ackermann. The musical score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith. Filming took place in St. Abbs, Scotland, and both Shue and Goldsmith earned nominations for the Saturn Award for their contributions.

Franklin, recognized for his work on Psycho II, characterized Link as an "anthropological thriller," emphasizing its foundation in authentic behavioral research rather than fantasy elements, setting it apart from Hitchcock’s The Birds.

Plot

Dr. Steven Phillip carries out studies on human-ape relationships within his Victorian coastal mansion in England, where he keeps two chimpanzees and an orangutan. During summer break, Jane Chase arrives to assist him and is introduced to Link, the orangutan who is dressed in a butler’s attire.

When Phillip disappears—assumed to have traveled to London—Jane remains behind to look after the primates. Over time, the animals exhibit increasing aggression, seizing control of the residence and engaging in territorial disputes that lead to a final showdown with Jane.

Human actors

• Elisabeth Shue as Jane Chase, an American student of zoology in England who aids Dr. Phillip’s research.
• Terence Stamp as Dr. Steven Phillip, an anthropologist investigating chimpanzee intelligence at his English estate. The role was initially offered to Anthony Perkins, who declined.
• Steven Pinner as David, Jane’s boyfriend who comes to Phillip’s estate looking for her after losing contact.
• Kevin Lloyd as Bailey, a friend of Phillip’s called upon to euthanize Link.
• David O'Hara and Richard Garnett as Tom and Dennis, friends of David who assist in the search for Jane.
• Linus Roache (uncredited)

Ape actors

• Locke as Link, a 45-year-old orangutan trained in circus performance and modified with prosthetics and fur dye to resemble a chimpanzee; trained under animal specialist Ray Berwick.
• Carrie as Voodoo, a female chimpanzee known for her aggressive behavior; usually confined but occasionally freed.
• Jed as Imp, Voodoo’s offspring and Phillip’s primary research subject, noted for escaping captivity and killing other animals.

Production

In 1979, Richard Franklin acquired the rights to a brief story outline described as "a kind of Jaws involving chimpanzees." He revisited the concept after writer Everett de Roche introduced him to a National Geographic article by Jane Goodall focusing on violent behavior among chimpanzees.

Franklin referenced Goodall's documentation of inter-group conflicts among chimps—which challenged the belief that warfare was unique to humans—as the core inspiration for the film. This scientific accuracy shaped the movie into a thriller rooted in genuine animal conduct.

The screenplay was penned by Everett De Roche. Franklin attempted to secure Australian funding in 1981 but delayed production to direct Psycho II and Cloak and Dagger. Subsequently, he resumed work on Link.

Franklin described Link as possessing more suspense than outright horror, combining tension reminiscent of Psycho II with an English gothic atmosphere akin to Jane Eyre. He highlighted that the violence depicted aligns with typical chimpanzee actions—intense but without use of weapons.

Shooting

Produced in the United Kingdom for EMI Films, the movie was deliberately set in England to highlight the contrast between jungle savagery and traditional Old World civilization. Instead of relying on prosthetics or makeup to simulate apes, Franklin chose to feature actual chimpanzees, utilizing editing techniques to capture their authentic responses.

Franklin remarked that "technically, it proved simpler than anticipated," although he encountered pressure to employ actors in ape costumes—a suggestion he declined in favor of preserving realism. The intention was to portray the genuine capabilities of chimpanzees, setting the film apart from more fantastical or allegorical portrayals.

Filming wrapped up in July 1985, representing one of the last projects overseen by Verity Lambert during her tenure at EMI. Franklin pointed out innovative cinematic moments, such as a chimpanzee dragging a person through a mail slot, which introduced novel elements to the genre.

Release

The film made its debut at the Avoriaz Fantasy Film Festival in January 1986, where it received a special jury award. Ahead of its public release, Franklin voiced concerns regarding Universal's plan for a summer launch, advocating instead for a more cautious distribution approach to enhance the film’s reception.

In the United States, Cannon Group distributed a version shortened by eight minutes against Franklin’s objections; after Cannon acquired EMI, an additional five minutes were removed. Franklin compared this gradual reduction to "chipping away" at his creation, illustrating the difficulties in maintaining the film’s original vision.

Reception

Critical response was mixed, with an approval rating of 44% based on 18 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Franklin later reflected on the project as being "unsatisfying on nearly every level."

Alternate versions

The French edition is three minutes shorter due to the omission of the opening sequence but includes scenes absent from the international cut. In 2021, France saw the release of a 125-minute extended composite version that merges all footage from both editions.

Cancelled sequel

Prior to the film’s release, Franklin proposed a follow-up centered on an anthropologist caught in a chimpanzee conflict set in Africa. He emphasized that this would be a separate narrative, moving the story far beyond jungle settings. Nevertheless, because of Link's poor box office performance, plans for the sequel were abandoned.

External links

• Link at Letterbox DVD
• britishhorrorfilms.co.uk review
• Movie stills