The Evolution of the Disney Tarzan

The persistence of Tarzan as a fictional character mostly in books, music and songs throughout the 19^th century, has created a rapport with the social, economic, political and cultural spheres in the world. It has influenced many radio, films, television, comic strips and books.  Many films of Tarzan ancestry have been acted and screened with successful reception with the public. The increased connection with the public both onscreen and off screen has displayed his super hero character which is to save people and other animals from evil. Tarzan’s stories have been narrated 47 special times on the big screen out of its 89 films from 1918 to 2008. This rates it the second most successful film in Hollywood history, Dracula is being the first.  Tarzan had its debut on the big screen as a silent movie back in 1918.

Character’s Brief Biography

Tarzan is an offspring of the British couple who was abandoned on the Atlantic coast of Africa by rebels. His mother passed away while he was still a little baby and his father was murdered by the ruler of one of the ape tribes and got adopted by them. Additional stories were added by the author through Tarzan’s youth in his six books about Tarzan, Jungle Tales of Tarzan. Tarzan being an ape name; his actual English name (Nickname) is John Clayton, Earl Greystoke. Burroughs, the author formed a fantastic and extreme heroic character with little or no demerits. He describes him as being Caucasian, tremendously sporty, tall, handsome, and brown. He also has grey eyes and long black hair. Expressively, he is audacious, trustworthy and unwavering. His intelligence is evident in the fact that he learns new languages easily. The above characteristics and many more give him an edge over many heroic characters thus the attraction of individuals to write books, make films and sing to his name. His traits are well interconnected both theoretically and practically. That is why a need arose to incorporate his prowess in an animation film which became a whopping success: Disney’s Tarzan!

From 1918 through to 2008 when the last film was released, Tarzan has had a major transformation with a list of 89 movies released. Tarzan movies that were first released adapted silent pictures mainly from the genuine Tarzan novels. These were displayed in the first few years of the character's conception. The first actor to represent the adult Tarzan appeared as Elmo Lincoln in Tarzan of the Apes released in 1918. The initiation of talking pictures influenced the Tarzan movie to be authorized which continued from the 1930s to the 1960s. Beginning with Tarzan the Ape Man in 1932 which was used in film production until 1948, the contract was secured by previous swimmer Johnny Weissmuller in the title starring role. Weissmuller and his instant inheritors were commanded to represent the ape-man as someone understanding pidgin language. This was totally different from the refined noble of Burroughs's novels. the following films were produced within that period: Tarzan and the Fearless, Tarzan and his Mate, The New Adventures of Tarzan, Tarzan Escapes, Tarzan’s Revenge, Tarzan Finds an Son, Tarzan Triumphs, Tarzan’s New York Adventure, Tarzan’s Desert Mystery, Tarzan’s Secret Treasure, Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Tarzan and the Mermaids, Tarzan and the Amazons, and Tarzan and the Huntress.

This "me Tarzan, you Jane" portrayal of Tarzan continued till the ends of 1950s, after  producer Sy Wentraub purchased the film rights from producer Sol Lesser. Wentraub produced Tarzans Greatest Adventure tailed by eight other films namely Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle, Tarzan’s Magic Fountain, Tarzan and the Slave Girl, Tarzan’s Savage Fury, Tarzan and the She-Devil, Tarzan’s Peril, Tarzan’s fight for life and Tarzan and the Lost Safari. There was also one television series produced. The Weintraub productions represent a Tarzan that is nearer to Edgar Rice Burroughs' original notion in the novels: a jungle lord who talks grammatical English and is learned and recognize civilization. Most Tarzan films were made before the mid-fifties, and they were black-and-white films shots on studio sets, with stock jungle recording edited in. The Weintraub productions from 1959, on were shot on overseas locations and they appeared in color.

Many series and features that contested with the chief franchise were also produced, including Tarzan and the Fearless (1933) with Buster Crabbe as the starring and The Adventures of Tarzan (1935) with Herman Brix as the starring. The concluding series was distinctive for its age in the fact that it was not only partly recorded on setting (Guatemala) and depicted Tarzan as educated, but also the only Tarzan film venture which the author,

Tarzan films since the 1930s, on frequently contained Tarzan's chimpanzee companion Cheetah, his companion Jane, who apparently had only one name as the films portrayed. An adopted son, commonly identified only as "Boy" was also part of the cast. Jane’s character was cut off by Weintraub productions from 1959 on and showed Tarzan as a single-handed explorer. This showed how he had already gained confidence in his undertakings and therefore did not need more help from anyone. This was a vital transformation. Afterwards, Tarzan films have been occasional and slightly of a unique characteristic. Disney’s animated version of Tarzan (1999) set a new stage for the ape man, taking its motivation similarly from Burroughs and the 1984 film Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.

After 47 narrations of the story, Disney's adapted animation form of a complete feature film. As Disney confirms, the Tarzan movie is a fairy-tale for the movie and cartoon production. It was the first time the cartoon was provided with an animated action. This essay will discuss the evolution of Tarzan films and those that it has manipulated, an analysis of the sociopolitical factors that have influenced its predecessors, as well as the aesthetic or cinematographic predecessors. As clarified above Tarzan has had an array of films with different storyline, even though the character maintains its reputation and traits. While the Tarzan world is full of is imitating adventures with exceptional and exhilarating experience in its works, it is regarded as an excellent masterpiece of its time.  Its existence not only was a result of a long history of influences but also an adventurous and heroic rise of the 19^th century films. It may seem like a mindless, popcorn flick, but a close analysis of its many influences will demonstrate that it is the result of a long line of westerns, action films, and the aesthetics of film noir.

Disney’s Tarzan was an animation that initiated a new era of his evolution. Even though Tarzan movies have been sporadic and to some extent idiosyncratic, and Disney’s animated movie about Tarzan (1999) started a new inauguration for the heroic ape man, obtaining its inspiration in the same way from the author’s 1984 motion picture, The Legend of Tarzan of Lord of the Apes. The movie adopts a bunch of attractive songs which possesses great hilarity and discourse, and a kids’ favorite. In my own opinion, I would have named it “The Jungle Book” due to its catchiness with the public. This film has been directed in an entirely eviscerating way from the original story, and undoubtedly regarded one of the greatest animated movies the studio has ever produced. Tarzan by Disney has negligible relation to the author’s (Edgar Rice Burroughs) novel, but this does not shake the films thrill, luckily to say. In summary the Disney story would be more enjoyable if you read the book. The childhood story is not altered in any way just as I explained above.

The Tarzan is the kid saved by Kala, who is a gorilla who the leopard Sabor not only caused the loss of the son, but is also blamed for making Tarzan an orphan. The leader of the gorilla tribe Kerchak gives the permission to Kala to look after the boy. Growing up in a broken family gives Tarzan a difficult time to adapt to his new female friend, Jane, who is in a gorilla-discovery trip. At some point he gets a slap for his inquisitive nature. Nevertheless, he learns more about the Western culture via Jane in the long run and starts to talk good English. Jane and her father had a guide, Clayton, who had the pursuit to capture the gorillas for commercial purposes of display. Tarzan is filled with Jane’s charm and blindly takes them to the gorilla’s habitat and ended up being captured. However, with the help of Terk’s and Tantor’s friends Tarzan gets triumph over the evil man.

When I compare the film with The Jungle Book, the plot adaptation, lots of scenes, both visually and aurally, are suggestive of the former classic. A terrific and splendid animation with constant action keeps the audience glued to the screen with no blinking of the eye. The background music or soundtrack is one of the best that have ever been recorded for a Tarzan film and Disney production house. Phil Collins, who in my view has produced an average production since his exhilarating Grammy days over a decade ago, at last, reinvents himself by combining pop with some cool rhythms. The song adds value to the film as it creates a pause for kids to enjoy the film in a different way Tarzan hero achieves the Disney goal to produce movies for kids of different ages. The parts played by Sabor who, according to my opinion, is making better villain than Clayton is, were very strong and passionate. Characters strongly interrelate so we can see their motives are for the choices they make. It is the movie of a great storytelling. 

A great feature of Tarzan is Disney's incorporation of the new "Deep Canvas" animation technique. It tolerates the two-dimensional characters to be in motion credibly through the jungle. Disney's funniness in Tarzan is also exceptional. Past Disney humor have not been catchy e.g. fart jokes or irritating humor in “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace” and other previous Disney films. Disney’s Tarzan has invented genuine and innovative wittiness all through the film which are universal and not forced. One of our unforgettable and favorite scenes is when the baboons are chasing after Jane. Tarzan appears mysteriously to her rescue. No sooner had they reached a safe haven, Jane, who still does not know him yet screams so that she can be put down which he does. After that she notices the baboons coming after her and quickly yells to pick her up.  It seems that Disney will use this similar type of jokes in its future movies.  The virtuousness in the cartoon provides it with a light hearted and fun-loving atmosphere.