I just saw this movie on DVD, and read comments about it in the IMDb comments section. I agree thoroughly with the comments by lovethoseclassics and lugonian, but wanted to add both my own enthusiastic thumbs up for this movie; and wanted to add a bit about my own reaction.
First, the "basics" really are all there. I was delighted by the black-and-white cinematography. It is crisp and well-composed throughout this film. The pace is excellent and there is never a dull moment. The script provides a wonderful story with nothing wasted.
I particularly liked the sequence in which we are given an opportunity to simply enjoy Tarzan and Jane and Boy and Cheetah in their life on the Escarpment, before the movie proceeds to a ripping classic adventure/action arrangement.
There were some particular features of this movie that especially tickled me. For example, the persons composing the members of the expedition is something of a classic from Edgar Rice Burroughs and Rider Haggard. We have the South African Dutch Vandermeer: venal, cool, knowledgeable, experienced, dangerous; the Englishman Medford: wicked, sharp, greedy, ambitious, murderous; the Irish Dubliner O'Doul: funny, mordant, romantic, sentimental, alcoholic; and Professor Elliott: scientifically curious, generous, gentlemanly, respectful, naïve.
The adventure scenes with Tarzan were provided with classic style and verve. Again in the grand tradition of Burroughs and Haggard, a typical scene combines the wonderful figure of Tarzan in action within the context of a delightful range of African venues. Consequently, we have: Tarzan facing savages and wild beasts in the depths of the lush jungle; Tarzan battling crocodiles and river-beasts and savages (again) in rivers teeming with dangers; Tarzan facing the wicked white men amid severe gorges and breathtaking drop-offs in the mountain fastnesses of the Escarpment. The pattern is dangerous micro-activity in the foreground, with breathtakingly scenic macro-landscapes in the background, and is to me wholly satisfying.
Similarly, scenes like that of Tarzan swimming underwater, the river being punctured again and again by shafts of spears being cast at him, was to me gripping and scary and (again) wholly satisfying.
And of course when Tarzan's elephants storm to his assistance, I felt once again that glorious sense of the Africa of Tarzan coming to the rescue in a mighty execution of justice that is (yes) wholly satisfying.
All in all, this movie is such a delightful experience. I'm so grateful it was reissued, along with the other 5 Tarzan movies with classic Weismuller/O'Sullivan collaboration, in a DVD collection, which is the source from which I saw it this evening. I would recommend this movie to anyone.
First, the "basics" really are all there. I was delighted by the black-and-white cinematography. It is crisp and well-composed throughout this film. The pace is excellent and there is never a dull moment. The script provides a wonderful story with nothing wasted.
I particularly liked the sequence in which we are given an opportunity to simply enjoy Tarzan and Jane and Boy and Cheetah in their life on the Escarpment, before the movie proceeds to a ripping classic adventure/action arrangement.
There were some particular features of this movie that especially tickled me. For example, the persons composing the members of the expedition is something of a classic from Edgar Rice Burroughs and Rider Haggard. We have the South African Dutch Vandermeer: venal, cool, knowledgeable, experienced, dangerous; the Englishman Medford: wicked, sharp, greedy, ambitious, murderous; the Irish Dubliner O'Doul: funny, mordant, romantic, sentimental, alcoholic; and Professor Elliott: scientifically curious, generous, gentlemanly, respectful, naïve.
The adventure scenes with Tarzan were provided with classic style and verve. Again in the grand tradition of Burroughs and Haggard, a typical scene combines the wonderful figure of Tarzan in action within the context of a delightful range of African venues. Consequently, we have: Tarzan facing savages and wild beasts in the depths of the lush jungle; Tarzan battling crocodiles and river-beasts and savages (again) in rivers teeming with dangers; Tarzan facing the wicked white men amid severe gorges and breathtaking drop-offs in the mountain fastnesses of the Escarpment. The pattern is dangerous micro-activity in the foreground, with breathtakingly scenic macro-landscapes in the background, and is to me wholly satisfying.
Similarly, scenes like that of Tarzan swimming underwater, the river being punctured again and again by shafts of spears being cast at him, was to me gripping and scary and (again) wholly satisfying.
And of course when Tarzan's elephants storm to his assistance, I felt once again that glorious sense of the Africa of Tarzan coming to the rescue in a mighty execution of justice that is (yes) wholly satisfying.
All in all, this movie is such a delightful experience. I'm so grateful it was reissued, along with the other 5 Tarzan movies with classic Weismuller/O'Sullivan collaboration, in a DVD collection, which is the source from which I saw it this evening. I would recommend this movie to anyone.