Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Compelling docu about a human-chimp relationship.
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Lucy, the Human Chimp
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
LUCY, THE HUMAN CHIMP is a documentary about the journey of a chimpanzee raised by humans, and a person who helped her recover. In 1976 Janis Carter was a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma working in their primates study group when professors and psychologists Maurice and Jane Temerlin hired her to help care for their 11-year old chimp named Lucy. The primate, who, as a social experiment, had been raised to live as a member of the their family since she was two days old, was now too big and aggressive to be living with them in their suburban home. The Temerlins, with Janis' help, eventually moved the chimp to the Abuko nature reserve in The Gambia so that she could learn basic survival skills and be released into the African wild. But Lucy had never lived as a chimpanzee, so Janis gave up her life in the United States to remain in The Gambia until Lucy could learn to survive in the jungle. With the help of archive footage, actor re-enactments, and interviews with Janis Carter, the presentation offers details details about the events that transpired, and how the inexperienced graduate student gave the domesticated animal a chance to live an independent life.
Is It Any Good?
The compelling documentary offers a gentle and poignant narrative about Lucy the chimp and Janis Carter, whose bond led to Carter's life-long career in chimpanzee rehabilitation. Central to the story is Lucy's unique journey, and how she was slowly able to transition from living with, and completely relying on, humans, to living among her species and enjoying an independent life in the wild. But parallel to this is Janice Carter's unique experience living alone for years with Lucy and three other chimps in the River Gambia National Park, during which time they served as her family. Lucy, The Human Chimp offers its share of interesting, happy, and sad moments, but does so in a way that makes it worth watching.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ethics of raising a chimpanzee as a human. What kind of harm can be caused to the animal by doing this? Could the Temerlin's experiment be conducted today?
What lessons does Lucy, The Human Chimp offer about the relationship between animals and humans? How can these lessons be applied in our own relationships with animals?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 16, 2021
- Cast : Alex Parkinson , Jacinta Mulcahy , Matthew Brenher
- Director : Alex Parkinson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : HBO Max
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance
- Run time : 68 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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