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Tarzan the Ape Man

Tarzan the Ape Man

Adventure · 1932

James Parker and Harry Holt are on an expedition in Africa in search of the elephant burial grounds that will provide enough ivory to make them rich. Parker's beautiful daughter Jane arrives unexpectedly to join them. Jane is terrified when Tarzan and his ape friends abduct her, but when she returns to her father's expedition she has second thoughts about leaving Tarzan.

Movie details

Tarzan the Ape Man

“Mothered by an ape—he knew only the law of the jungle—to seize what he wanted!”

1932 Adventure 1h 40m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

James Parker and Harry Holt are on an expedition in Africa in search of the elephant burial grounds that will provide enough ivory to make them rich. Parker's beautiful daughter Jane arrives unexpectedly to join them. Jane is terrified when Tarzan and his ape friends abduct her, but when she returns to her father's expedition she has second thoughts about leaving Tarzan.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Tarzan the Ape Man?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

W.S. Van Dyke

Written by

Ivor Novello · Cyril Hume

Johnny Weissmüller

Johnny Weissmüller

Tarzan

Maureen O'Sullivan

Maureen O'Sullivan

Jane Parker

Neil Hamilton

Neil Hamilton

Harry Holt

C. Aubrey Smith

C. Aubrey Smith

James Parker

Doris Lloyd

Doris Lloyd

Mrs. Cutten

Forrester Harvey

Forrester Harvey

Beamish

Ray Corrigan

Ray Corrigan

Ape (uncredited)

Court is in session

Put Tarzan the Ape Man on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Adrenaline Seeker

“Momentum is a formal choice.”

The velocity sharpens instinct and tension, making every beat land before self-importance can settle in.

The prosecution The Auteur Devotee

“Speed as an alibi.”

The film races past its weak spots and hopes acceleration will keep the audience from inspecting the evidence.