Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive (2024)
Choose one prompt and write a focused essay (700–900 words).
Option 1: Compare the 1966 Tarzan item to an earlier (1930s–1940s) Tarzan film: discuss changes in portrayal of Tarzan, colonial/race themes, production values, and audience expectations.
Option 2: Compare the 1966 Tarzan item to a later (1980s–1990s) Tarzan adaptation: analyze shifts in narrative, special effects, and approaches to sensitivity around race and gender.
Marking criteria: thesis clarity (6), use of primary/secondary evidence (8), critical analysis (8), organization and prose (4), citations and archival awareness (4).
I have watched the 52-minute transfer three times. It is not pristine. The kinescope is soft, riddled with reel-change cues, and the audio warbles during the second act. But by the gods of the jungle, it is alive.
Here is what makes the Internet Archive exclusive of Tarzan 1966 a revelation:
1. The Ape Costumes Are Terrifying Forget Cheeta the chimp. In this version, the Mangani (the fictional apes) are played by dancers in grotesque, shaggy suits with human-like eyes. There is a five-minute sequence where Tarzan negotiates with an alpha ape using only hand gestures and breath control. No music. No dialogue. Just a man and a monster trying to communicate. It is hypnotic.
2. The "Silent" Opening The episode opens with ten minutes of zero English dialogue. We see a young Jane (played by a fierce, pre-Mary Tyler Moore actress named Lynn Loring) lost in a volcanic region. She isn't screaming. She is using a compass and a machete. The show treats her as an equal, not a damsel. When Tarzan finally appears, he doesn't save her; he asks her, "Why are you burning the mahogany trees?" It’s an ecological critique wrapped in adventure. tarzan 1966 internet archive exclusive
3. The Lost Score The soundtrack is attributed to a session musician named Hector Santiago, but it sounds like a collaboration between John Cage and a Congo drum circle. There are long stretches of silence, punctuated by the scrape of a bow across a metal washtub. It is unnerving. It is brilliant.
This isn't on Disney+. It isn't on Peacock. You can't buy it on Amazon Prime Video. Why?
Because the rights are a nightmare. The Tarzan estate (Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc.) has famously suppressed the 1966 pilot. Rumors suggest it’s because Riordan’s Tarzan was openly bisexual in the unaired second episode (a claim CelluloidGhost hints at in the upload notes, though that episode remains missing). Others say the estate simply hates the depiction of the apes as violent, non-comedic creatures.
Because the copyright holders refuse to acknowledge its existence, the only way to see it is through preservation piracy. The Internet Archive, with its mission to provide "universal access to all knowledge," is the last refuge for the orphaned film.
CelluloidGhost writes in the description: “Found this in a garage sale in Burbank. The reel was labeled ‘Tarzan – NBC Reject.’ No copyright renewal found. Here you go, history.”
The availability of Tarzan (1966) on the Internet Archive is more than just free content; it is a case study in media accessibility. Without the efforts of digital archivists and uploaders, series like this risk fading into obscurity, remembered only by those who watched them during their original broadcast.
For a new generation, the Internet Archive offers the only viable gateway to meet Ron Ely’s Tarzan. It serves as a reminder that the "Jungle Lord" has evolved over the decades, and that the internet, in its archival capacity, remains the best place to keep that history alive. Choose one prompt and write a focused essay
Whether you are a completist of vintage TV or simply curious about the actor who brought a literate Tarzan to life, the Internet Archive offers an exclusive, unfiltered ticket back to the jungle.
The Story:
The film stars Ron Ely as Tarzan and Joan Blondell as Jane Porter. The story begins with Tarzan and Jane returning to the jungle after a year in civilization. However, their peaceful life is short-lived, as they soon discover that Jane's estranged father, Archimedes Porter, is in Africa, searching for a valuable treasure.
Archimedes, played by Charles Lane, is a wealthy and eccentric inventor who's determined to find the fabled treasure. He's accompanied by a villainous safari leader, who's only interested in the treasure for personal gain.
As Tarzan and Jane navigate their way through the jungle, they must also contend with the dangers posed by the safari team, a rival group of treasure hunters, and various wild animals.
The Adventure Unfolds:
The story unfolds with Tarzan and Jane facing numerous challenges, including treacherous jungle terrain, ferocious beasts, and confrontations with the rival treasure hunters. Along the way, Tarzan must use his jungle skills to protect Jane and her father, while also navigating his own feelings for Jane. I have watched the 52-minute transfer three times
The film features many of the classic Tarzan elements, including action-packed sequences, exotic jungle settings, and a dash of romance.
Internet Archive Exclusive:
The 1966 Tarzan film was indeed made available on the Internet Archive, a digital library that provides free access to a wide range of films, books, and music. The film was released as an "Internet Archive Exclusive", making it easily accessible to a new generation of Tarzan fans.
Trivia:
Overall, the 1966 Tarzan film offers an entertaining and nostalgic take on the classic jungle hero, with plenty of action, adventure, and romance. If you're a fan of Tarzan or classic adventure films, you might enjoy checking it out!
Accessing the Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive is refreshingly simple, yet it requires a specific method to find the "exclusive" features.
The "exclusive" moniker also refers to the supplementary materials bundled with the film. Unlike a commercial streaming service, the Internet Archive upload includes:
