Tarzan the Ape Man
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke
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.
Where to Watch Tarzan the Ape Man
- RichardAugust 12, 2025I still remember the first time I saw Tarzan the Ape Man as a kid, curled up on the couch, completely mesmerized by the wild jungle, the thrilling vine swings, and that unforgettable yell echoing through the trees. Johnny Weissmüller wasn’t just playing Tarzan, he was Tarzan. To me, and I suspect to many others who grew up with his films, he will always be the one and only Lord of the Jungle. Weissmüller’s athleticism, his primal charisma, and the raw simplicity of his portrayal made Tarzan feel real. There was something magical about the way he moved through the jungle, communicated with animals, and connected with Jane. It wasn’t just a movie, it was an adventure that made the wild feel like home. Even now, decades later, no other actor has captured the essence of Tarzan quite like Weissmüller. His version wasn’t polished or overly dramatic, it was instinctive, pure, and deeply human in its own wild way. Watching it again as an adult, I see the layers: the contrast between civilization and nature, the critique of greed, and the innocence of a man raised by apes. But as a kid? It was just magic. So yes, Johnny Weissmüller is, and will always be my Tarzan.
Tarzan the Ape Man Trivia
Tarzan the Ape Man was released on April 2, 1932.
Tarzan the Ape Man was directed by W.S. Van Dyke.
Tarzan the Ape Man has a runtime of 1h 40m.
Tarzan the Ape Man was produced by Irving Thalberg, Bernard H. Hyman, J.J. Cohn.
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.
The key characters in Tarzan the Ape Man are Tarzan (Johnny Weissmüller), Jane Parker (Maureen O'Sullivan), Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton).
Tarzan the Ape Man is rated Passed.
Tarzan the Ape Man is an Action, Adventure, Romance film.
Tarzan the Ape Man has an audience rating of 6.9 out of 10.
Tarzan the Ape Man had a budget of $653K.