Tarzan (1999)

A man raised by gorillas must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human.

Directors:

Chris Buck, Kevin Lima

Writers:

Tab Murphy (screenplay), Bob Tzudiker (screenplay),

Stars:

Brian Blessed, Glenn Close, Minnie Driver

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Blessed	...	Clayton (voice)
Glenn Close	...	Kala (voice)
Minnie Driver	...	Jane (voice)
Tony Goldwyn	...	Tarzan (voice)
Nigel Hawthorne	...	Professor Porter (voice)
Lance Henriksen	...	Kerchak (voice)
Wayne Knight	...	Tantor (voice)
Alex D. Linz	...	Young Tarzan (voice)
Rosie O'Donnell	...	Terk (voice)
Beth Anderson	...	(voice)
Jack Angel	...	(voice)
Joseph Ashton	...	(voice)
Bob Bergen	...	(voice) (as Robert Bergen)
Billy Bodine	...	(voice) (as Billy Warden Bodine)
Rodger Bumpass	...	(voice) (as Roger Bumpass)

Storyline

The movie is about the life of Tarzan. Tarzan was a small orphan who was raised by an ape named Kala since he was a child. He believed that this was his family, but on an expedition Jane Porter is rescued by Tarzan. He then finds out that he's human. Now Tarzan must make the decision as to which family he should belong to...

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Plot Keywords:

gorilla | stormy night | father son relationship | mother son relationship | no opening credits | 

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Taglines:

An immortal legend. As you've only imagined.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Buena Vista (in Taiwan) Disney

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tarzán

Box Office

Budget:

$130,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£140,378 (UK) (8 October 1999)

Gross:

$171,085,177 (USA) (18 February 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc., Walt Disney Feature Animation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, Tarzan was adopted by apes (ie. chimps as seen in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes) and the only gorilla mentioned was Bolgani the Great, who was an enemy of Tarzan and the troop. This is the first Tarzan movie were the apes that adopt him are gorillas instead of chimpanzees. Tantor was an old bull elephant disliked by the denizens of the jungle, Sabor was a lioness, and Terkoz (presumably "Terkina" known as "Terk") was a male ape and Tarzan's arch-nemesis within the troop. Also, Kerchak murdered Tarzan's family. The producers changed it not only to make him more sympathetic, but also to make it less gruesome for families. Even though Clayton (first name William in the book) is a villain in the movie, he and Tarzan are actually cousins according to the original story from Burroughs. William being after Tarzan in line of succession and therefore wouldn't want him to be alive. In the film, Jane Porter and her father are from London. In the novel, they are American citizens.

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Goofs

Jaguars don't generally live to be over 15 in the wild, and the oldest jaguar in captivity was recorded to be 23. It is highly unlikely Sabor, already an adult at the beginning of the film, would still be alive approximately 20 years later to fight Tarzan.

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Quotes

Terk: What kind of animal are you?
Tantor: You know, I've been thinking lately that Tarzan may be some sub-species of elephant.
Terk: Are you kidding... What are you talking about?
Tantor: I mean, think about it. He enjoys a peanut, I enjoy a peanut...
Terk: He looks nothing like you!

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Crazy Credits

During the Walt Disney Pictures opening logo, the background turns into that of a jungle.

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Connections

Featured in ¡Ja me maaten...! (2000)

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Soundtracks

"You'll Be in My Heart"
Music and Lyrics by Phil Collins
Produced by Mark Mancina and Phil Collins
Arranged by Mark Mancina
Vocals by Phil Collins and Glenn Close
Orchestra Conducted by Mark Mancina

User Reviews

As of this writing, the best film of 1999.

This movie draws a sense of awe throughout the entire story. Though its plot may be formulaic, it executes better than any other formulaic movie this year. This is the best animated film I have seen in the last 5 years since "The Lion King". The images are absolutely wonderful to look at. The music by Phil Collins is so powerful that it energizes the whole movie making you feel emotionally charged all throughout. I feel this film could have never been made in live action, since it gives a totally new perspective on what Tarzan may actually have been like, his movement, his upbringing, and most of all, his interaction with jungle family. The musical sequences by the gorillas were silly, but entertaining (it is a Disney film isn't it?). And Tarzan's movement through the jungle is so spectacular that it makes Aladdin's flying carpet escape from the lamp's abyss seem pale in comparison.

Though most of Tarzan's leaping, swinging, and tree surfing seem unrealistic, we have to keep in mind that this is an animated film, and since it is Disney's, thrills will be expected. Tarzan delivers exciting thrills, fills you with awe through the entire film, without sacrificing the story and the underlying theme. This is a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL FILM. Go see it.

If you have to decide between Star Wars I and Tarzan, it's no contest... Tarzan is the film Star Wars I should have been.