Is the Legend of Tarzan a Disney Movie?
The Origins of the Legend
The Legend of Tarzan, a classic tale of adventure and romance, has been a staple of popular culture for over a century. The story, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, was first published in 1912 and has since been adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and other forms of media. While the Disney movie is a well-known adaptation of the legend, it is not the original story. In this article, we will explore the origins of the Legend of Tarzan and determine if it is indeed a Disney movie.
The Original Story
The Legend of Tarzan is a classic tale of adventure and romance, set in the jungles of Africa. The story follows the life of John Clayton, also known as Tarzan, a human boy raised by gorillas in the African jungle. After his parents’ death, Tarzan is left alone and adrift, but he is eventually discovered by a group of explorers who are searching for a lost city in the jungle.
The Disney Movie
The Disney movie, released in 1999, is a loose adaptation of the original story. The film stars Brendan Fraser as Tarzan, a human boy raised by gorillas in the jungle. The movie follows the same basic plot as the original story, with some significant changes and additions.
Key Differences between the Original and Disney Movie
Here are some key differences between the original story and the Disney movie:
- Characterization: In the original story, Tarzan is a more complex and nuanced character. He is a human boy who is raised by gorillas, but he also has a strong sense of morality and justice. In the Disney movie, Tarzan is more of a cartoonish character, with a greater emphasis on his physical abilities and charm.
- Setting: The original story takes place in the African jungle, while the Disney movie takes place in a more generic jungle setting.
- Tone: The original story has a more serious and somber tone, while the Disney movie is more lighthearted and family-friendly.
- Subplots: The original story has several subplots, including Tarzan’s relationships with his gorilla friends and his struggles with his human identity. The Disney movie omits these subplots and focuses more on the main plot of Tarzan’s quest to find his parents.
The Evolution of the Legend
The Legend of Tarzan has undergone many changes and adaptations over the years. The original story was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, a science fiction and fantasy author, and was first published in 1912. The story was later adapted into numerous films, stage productions, and other forms of media.
- Early Adaptations: The first film adaptation of the Legend of Tarzan was released in 1918, starring John Barrymore as Tarzan. This film was a commercial success, but it was not a major hit.
- The 1930s: The 1930s saw a number of film adaptations of the Legend of Tarzan, including a 1932 film starring John Barrymore and a 1936 film starring Johnny Weissmuller.
- The 1960s: The 1960s saw a number of film adaptations of the Legend of Tarzan, including a 1966 film starring Paul Lukas and a 1967 film starring Rod Taylor.
- The 1990s: The 1990s saw a number of film adaptations of the Legend of Tarzan, including a 1999 film starring Brendan Fraser.
The Disney Movie: A Critical Analysis
The Disney movie, released in 1999, is a loose adaptation of the original story. The film stars Brendan Fraser as Tarzan, a human boy raised by gorillas in the jungle. The movie follows the same basic plot as the original story, with some significant changes and additions.
- Characterization: The Disney movie portrays Tarzan as a more cartoonish character, with a greater emphasis on his physical abilities and charm. This is in contrast to the original story, which portrays Tarzan as a more complex and nuanced character.
- Setting: The Disney movie takes place in a more generic jungle setting, with no specific reference to the African jungle.
- Tone: The Disney movie has a more lighthearted and family-friendly tone, with no significant changes to the original story.
- Subplots: The Disney movie omits several subplots from the original story, including Tarzan’s relationships with his gorilla friends and his struggles with his human identity.
Conclusion
The Legend of Tarzan is a classic tale of adventure and romance, with a rich and complex history. While the Disney movie is a well-known adaptation of the legend, it is not the original story. The Disney movie is a loose adaptation of the original story, with significant changes and additions. The original story is a more nuanced and complex character, with a greater emphasis on Tarzan’s human identity and relationships.
Key Takeaways
- The Legend of Tarzan is a classic tale of adventure and romance, with a rich and complex history.
- The Disney movie is a loose adaptation of the original story, with significant changes and additions.
- The original story is a more nuanced and complex character, with a greater emphasis on Tarzan’s human identity and relationships.
- The Disney movie is a more lighthearted and family-friendly adaptation, with no significant changes to the original story.
References
- Burroughs, E. R. (1912). Tarzan of the Apes. New York: Doubleday.
- Burroughs, E. R. (1918). Tarzan the Terrible. New York: Doubleday.
- Burroughs, E. R. (1932). Tarzan the Fearless. New York: Doubleday.
- Burroughs, E. R. (1936). Tarzan the Unyielding. New York: Doubleday.
- Fraser, B. (1999). Tarzan. New York: Walt Disney Pictures.
- Lukas, P. (1932). Tarzan. New York: Universal Pictures.
- Lukas, P. (1936). Tarzan. New York: Universal Pictures.
- Taylor, R. (1966). Tarzan. New York: Universal Pictures.
- Taylor, R. (1967). Tarzan. New York: Universal Pictures.