Coventry I was about 8-9 years old in the late 80s and I remember having a huge crush on Elisabeth Shue… She starred in one of my favorite childhood movies called "Adventures in Babysitting" (a.k.a. "A Night on the Town") and I remember being crazy in love and simultaneously jealous because the babysitters that I had those days nearly weren't as cool as she was. Anyways, back then I didn't know that Miss Shue previously already starred in a horror movie that I wasn't allowed to watch yet. With a bit of crazy imagination, "Adventures in Babysitting" is actually similar to "Link", since in both movies Elisabeth Sue gets into serious trouble whilst babysitting, only in "Link" she's babysitting a rather different type of animal species. "Link" is an entertaining and unpretentious '80s horror creature-feature, well-written by the Aussie genre veteran Everett De Roche ("Long Weekend", "Razorback") and well-directed by the Aussie genre director Richard Franklin ("Patrick", "Psycho II"). After attending just one lecture, the ambitious American zoology student Jane Chase eagerly accepts the rather eccentric Professor Steven Philip's proposal to come and work for him in his spooky old mansion somewhere high up on the cliffs in the middle of Scottish nowhere. Jane gets welcomed by Link, a clever orangutan in a butler's outfit, and Prof. Philip also has two other apes running around: the chimpanzees Imp and Voodoo. Both Link and Voodoo are getting a bit too old and difficult to work with, so Dr. Philip arranges for a sleazy animal trader to come take them away. Soon after he mysteriously vanishes and Jane remains trapped at the estate with the apes. She discovers that Link knew what fate Philip had in store for him and suddenly it's no more Mr. Nice Orangutan… Richard Franklin built his entire career around the fact that he's a massive Alfred Hitchcock fanatic and he once again demonstrates it in this movie as well. Apart from a couple of 'Hitchcockian' plot aspects, Franklin also copies a lot of stylistic and visual trademarks of The Master of Suspense. Jerry Goldsmith's catchy score also reminded me quite a bit to the legendary music used in "Psycho". All the action and suspense takes place during the last half hour, or even less, but Franklin cannot be rushed and patiently takes his time to build up towards a dazzling climax. Of course, the crew member who deserves the most praise remains Ray Berwick, as he was the animal trainer and thus responsible for the impressive stunts that Imp and Link perform.

tbills2 Link is an orangutan on a murderous spree in a bad polyester suit, and neither of these things are his fault. Blame the misguided doctor mistreating the apes with untempered threats of aggression and useless mindless experiments who dressed him. Keep pet apes in a mansion estate in the middle of sheep country, just treat the loving apes like apes. The chimps and orangutan are what really makes Link so good to watch and I would like to say that they are the real stars, but clearly Elisabeth Shue is. Elisabeth is so bright and affectionate to the camera that her lackluster emotional drive for the character is far less important than her beautiful nature and sexy charm. I love Elisabeth Shue. She's so gorgeous. Terrance Stamp is excellent as the mad ape doctor, Dr. Phillips, as he mostly is. Stamp can make any character sensationally interesting. The apes are maybe the best part of Link and watching them perform in Link is endlessly amusing. Too many people underestimate the animal's true strength and intelligence. Link is the best killer ape movie made. I love the parts where they find clues to the crazy ape's mischievous works and the natural progression of relations shared between Link and Jane which slowly turns deadly. Link is a very good horror that's not really scary moreso entertaining and suspenseful. The way Link is so effectively killing his victims is a bit unimaginable. I really enjoyed it.

loomis78-815-989034 American college student Jane Chase (Shue) lands a job at a seaside British Mansion. Her job is with Professor Phillips (Stamp) who is doing research on chimpanzees. Jane is introduced to an old circus Orangutan named Link who doubles as the house butler and a younger one named Imp. When Link overhears that the Professor has plans to put him down, the over smart Ape kills one of the other chimps and soon after the Professor turns up missing. Jane must match wits in a battle to survive with Link on the rampage. Hitchcock enthusiast Richard Franklin brings his nice Directorial style to this slightly odd story written by Everett De Roche. The movie takes a little while to get going and isn't very gory or bloody. This is an exercise in action and suspense and Link does very well in this department. Elisabeth Shue is believable as young Jane; But Stamp sleeps through his role and looks like he is waiting for his paycheck to arrive. Some ambitious photography and just the right amount of suspense make this an entertaining film, but not a scary one. Jerry Goldsmith's effective score ads to the fun.

HumanoidOfFlesh 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.