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Tarzan the Ape Man
1932 100 min United States of America 12+
★7.1
Adventure
Director: W.S. Van Dyke
🎭 Based on
«Tarzan of the Apes»
byEdgar Rice Burroughs
Trailers
Description
James Parker and Harry Holt are on an expedition in Africa in search of the elephant burial grounds that will provide enough ivory to make them rich. Parker's beautiful daughter Jane arrives unexpectedly to join them. Jane is terrified when Tarzan and his ape friends abduct her, but when she returns to her father's expedition she has second thoughts about leaving Tarzan.
Budget:
$652,675
Starring
Johnny Weissmuller
Actor
Neil Hamilton
Actor
C. Aubrey Smith
Actor
Awards
2 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) is widely regarded as the definitive cinematic iteration of the character, launching a long-running and iconic film saga. While it abandons the source material's plot, it succeeds as a pioneering jungle spectacle that relies on high-energy adventure and charismatic lead performances.
| Acting | Johnny Weissmuller defines the screen persona of Tarzan through his athletic physicality and iconic vocal performance. | |
| Originality | The film succeeds as a memorable and pioneering adventure spectacle that remains more entertaining than subsequent remakes. | |
| Adaptation | The film essentially creates an original narrative, rendering comparisons to Edgar Rice Burroughs' source material irrelevant. | |
| Production | The production quality is uneven, utilizing noticeable stock footage and containing significant plot holes that contrast with its fun, face-value charm. |