Project X (1987)

A young inductee into the military is given the task of looking after some chimpanzees used in the mysterious "Project X". Getting to know the chimps fairly well, he begins to suspect there... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writers:

Lawrence Lasker (story), Stanley Weiser (screenplay),

Stars:

Willie, Okko, Matthew Broderick

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Willie	...	Virgil
Okko	...	Goofy
Karanja	...	Goliath
Luke	...	Bluebeard
Harry	...	Ginger
Arthur	...	Winston
Clafu	...	Spike
Lucy	...	Razzberry
Lulu	...	Ethel
Mousie	...	New Recruit
Matthew Broderick	...	Jimmy Garrett
Helen Hunt	...	Teri
William Sadler	...	Dr. Carroll (as Bill Sadler)
Johnny Ray McGhee	...	Robertson
Jonathan Stark	...	Sgt. Krieger

Storyline

A young inductee into the military is given the task of looking after some chimpanzees used in the mysterious "Project X". Getting to know the chimps fairly well, he begins to suspect there is more to the secret project than he is being told.

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Plot Keywords:

project | sign language | chimpanzee | military | everglades | 

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Taglines:

Together, they fought the U.S. Air Force.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

17 April 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mystikos pilotos X

Filming Locations:

Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$18,532,286 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amercent Films, American Entertainment Partners L.P., Parkes/Lasker productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As the emotional sounds that chimps make do not in any way resemble those of humans, it was decided to create their vocalizations using actors. Every chimp sound in the picture, other than one very brief outburst, is ADR. The role of Goliath, the giant ape, was voiced by the African-American actor 'Arthur Burghart', who played Dr. Jack Scott on "One Life at a Time" and the smallest female chimp, Daisy, was voiced by 'Annie Lockhart' of "Battleship Gallactica" fame. Norman B. Schwartz was the vocal effects director.

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Goofs

When Virgil is with the animal dealer in Africa, South American macaws are visible in the background.

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Quotes

Jimmy Garrett: Let's get the hell outta here.

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Connections

Referenced in NCIS: Los Angeles: Greed (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Shock The Monkey"
Written and Performed by Peter Gabriel

User Reviews

This obscure gem has got everything!

We have the most charming and endearing non-human character in the history of cinema. Lassie, Benji or even Toto couldn't hold a burning piece of blue wax to the impossible not to love Virgil. We have two lead actors with enough charisma to hold their own, while maintaining the quiet humility necessary not to upstage the simian lead. We have many genuine laughs and just as many heartfelt tears. We have characters, human and non, that we love and care about. We have genuine and sincere passion and emotion. We have a powerful political statement and a film that's actually about something.

My affection and personal attachment for the musical, THE PRODUCERS is well known by everyone who knows me well. However, this not so well known gem is truly Matthew's shining masterpiece!