Link, der Butler

Richard Franklin is a self-proclaimed Hitchcock fan (he made "Psycho II", after all), and you've got to hand it to him, "Link" is more artfully directed than the average mid-80s horror film, with some nice camera movements and some even nicer transition shots. It moves slowly, though, and some characters seem to be introduced only to pump up the body count. Elizabeth Shue, in only her second role, is admirable in the way she holds her own against the naturally scene-stealing chimpanzees. (**1/2)

To me, this film feels very mysterious in many ways. But that's what made this film fun to watch.

A young girl in uni is a scientist and she moves over to an old, run down house with a Doctor called Dr. Phillip. He is studying the races of the Chimpanzees. He lives with two of them called Imp & Voodoo and he has a butler Orangatanga named Link. One morning though he goes missing and Voodoo is dead. The girl (which I forgot her name) then tries to locate the professor/doctor and then there is a sense of anger in Link.

The plot takes on very well from what I have said. I watched this film at the start of the year, wondering what I would get out of it. I chose to watch this film for two reasons. 1. There where Monkeys and I think monkeys are great in any sorts of films what so ever, and 2. I just like horror. So with these combinations this is why I watched it.

I love the suspense that this film gives off once the doctor has gone missing. When this occurs your mind starts to have any vision about what could have happened to him.

Besides the fantastic plot, I think that chimps did a job well done, it must have taken hours for them to be trained! I also like all the music from the great music composer, Jerry Goldsmith. He was able to blend in the music really well.

Even if the deaths aren't as what you expect (Bloody, gory, which none of us like anyway), you will get a shocking kick out of this film.

I believe that this film deserves an 8.3/10, not a 5.6/10.

Although this was not academy award material,i thought 'link' was an enjoyable and educational movie. I saw this movie when i was 16 years old,and had no idea that chimpanzees were so strong. After watching the film, i studied a book at the library about them,and was amazed at the things they can do. Most people don't realize just how large they can be. Many chimpanzees in the zoo can weigh 175lbs as adults, which is the same as a human. They are over a foot shorter than we are, but they have denser bone and muscle,which makes them heavier. Interesting animals.

A young Elizabeth Shue plays Jane Chase,an American student studying at the London Institute of Sciences,who accepts a holiday job as housekeeper for anthropology professor Steven Philip at his house on the remote Cornish coast.Steven has three trained chimpanzees named Link,Voodoo and Imp.When professor mysteriously vanishes Jane is left alone in the house with Link whose behaviour has become increasingly more menacing."Link" is a surprisingly effective killer ape flick.It offers some great shocks and the monkey Link looks very sinister.The score by Jerry Goldsmith is splendid.Unfortunately the explanation of Link's murderous behaviour is not particularly clear.Director Richard Franklin has also made "Patrick","Road Games" and "Psycho II".8 out of 10.

I think this was a break-through movie for Elizabeth Shue. It was the first time I heard of her as an actress. I think I saw the movie back in 1988, but it made quite an impact on my young impressionable mind. After watching the movie, I had a real fascination with primate intelligence. The psycho-sexual interaction between Shue and the monkeys stayed in mind all this time. In particular, I remember quite vividly the bathroom scene. It was strange from me to see that back then. And, everytime I see anyone take a bath or shower with a pet in the bathroom on a movie or commercial, I think of that scene.