Product Description

All six of Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan's movies as Tarzan and Jane.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2925 in DVD
• Brand: TARZAN COLLECTION
• Released on: 2004-06-08
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Box set, Black & White, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 4
• Dimensions: .75 pounds
• Running time: 527 minutes

Amazon.com
Many actors have slipped on a loincloth and swung from a jungle vine, but nobody reached the treetops of Tarzania quite like Johnny Weissmuller, the Olympic swimmer. And Tarzan's greatest Jane was Maureen O'Sullivan, who moved into T's treehouse for six films at MGM, all collected in this splendid boxed set. It is possible to find these films hokey... but only if you have absolutely no feeling for the magic of early-sound pictures, or no joy in the gee-whiz, Saturday-matinee wonder of Tarzan's prelapsarian lifestyle. To say nothing of the surprisingly overt running theme of (implied) hot jungle sex.

Tarzan, the Ape Man (1932), made with the blessings of Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs, establishes the basics of the series (and uses extra Africa footage MGM had compiled for Trader Horn). There'd been many Tarzans before, but Weissmuller's buff bod and innocent charm won over audiences. Tarzan and His Mate is generally considered the best of the lot; it is also the sexiest, especially after the restoration of a hotsy-totsy nude swimming scene. The formula still works in Tarzan Escapes, which brings Jane's cousins out for a visit to the Mutia Escarpment, with its elephant-powered elevator for Tarzan's pad. (Always keep in mind that this is Africa of kiddie imagination, not the real deal.)

Tarzan Finds a Son! introduces Johnny Sheffield as Boy, and stirs up the nest. Things were getting rote by the time of Tarzan's Secret Treasure, and the jungle is left behind entirely for Tarzan's New York Adventure, which has some fun stunts. Also included in the boxed set is the documentary Tarzan: Silver Screen King of the Jungle, which is a fine overview not just of the MGM Tarzan series but of its predecessors (though it does not mention the fact that Weissmuller went on to crank out more Tarzan pictures at RKO). It does delve into the mystery of just what the heck "ungawa" means. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

A Fantastic Legend
In addition to the films announced (covered in 3 CDs), this collection also include various footage in a 4th CD. This review only covers the first 2 movies: The Ape Man and Tarzan Escapes.
Outstaningly restaured, the scenes are crisp and sharp, the photography is amazing, especially for a movie shot in the 30s. Johny Weissmuller is goregeous and sexy, combining masculin and boyish charm, very scantly-clad, showing off his almost perfect body. No wonder he was an instant smash hit with women as well as men!! Maureen O'Sullivan is very pretty and charming. However, in "Ape" she annoyingly screamed non-stop !! She was much better in "Escapes". "Ape" had astonishing fights between Tarzan and lions and leopards, while "Escpae" had beutiful underwater "ballet" by Weissmuller and O'Sullivan. The relation between Tarzan and some of the animals (elephants and apes), is very sweet and touching.
Of course the stories are very basic, but the main idea of a white "savage" in Africa (who is always clean-shaven!!), who falls in love with a white pretty woman has charm (though not credebility!). Many scenes are shot on location, and the ones shot in studio are well done. Espceially "escape", there are fascinating scenes of animals and birds. However, it is very silly and laughable to see the "town home" of Tarzan & Jane perched up a tree, with an elevator (operated by an elephant), and a fan (operated by Cheeta, the very charming chimpanzee), and where a seated dinner is served at a table, with "The Ape Man" sitting on a chair and eating from a dish!!!
There are many stereotypes, which while understandable in view ot the era, are still annoying !! Being the 30s, the Englishmen are clearly portrayed as the masters and the Africans as the slaves. Constantly and unjustifiably, they have the Africans slashed and whipped, by others or by themselves, just because they are tired of carrying all the heavy luggage of the white man!! Only Africans fall off cliffs ... are eaten by crocodiles ... etc.
Despite the few negative points, I am giving the collection 4 stars (even without seeing yet the other 4 movies!), on the basis of the following:
1. the subject is certainly unusual, fascinating, and intriguing.
2. the collection contains the first movies which started the Tarzan legend, and is a classical collectible item by itself.
2. the photography is superb.
3. the direction is excellent (despite some of the minor points), especially the movements of masses of africans.
4. Weissmuller is unique, and O'Sullivan is very pretty, which made them the outstanding couple they were.

Me Tarzan, you Jane
Well, I bought the set for $6 here in China. In TARZAN AND HIS MATE, Jane swims naked for several minutes. Great fun.

Hacked Up
This movie has been cut from the original. The real Tarzan Escapes had many more harrowing experiences including multiple crossed tree episodes. This only had one, and it was even cut. Don't buy this if you think you may be watching something you remembered as a kid on an afternoon after school. Should not even be offered unless restored to the original...I want a refund