The Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan Collection [DVD]

The first four films have charm, excitement, fun and a bit of naughtiness. Some shots are repeated from film to film, the back projection is often clunky, but its easy to overlook the flaws and enjoy the real chemistry between Tarzan and Jane. The later films are different, cornier and blander. Still enjoyable but lacking the self-confidence and enthusiasm of the earlier scripts. Good to have the complete series, though, and the set brought back happy memories of watching these on late night TV.

This collection of six Tarzan movies - starring Johnny Weissmuller - consists of: "Tarzan the Ape Man" (1932), "Tarzan and His Mate" (1934), "Tarzan Escapes" (1936), "Tarzan Finds a Son!" (1939), "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941) and "Tarzan's New York Adventure" (1942), all produced by the MGM studio.These are classic movies from the age of the silver screen! Each is enjoyable in its own terms, and as a collection they represent an excellent saga. Of course, they're dated ... the first film especially shows its age. There has been some restoration work, but these movies deserve more care and attention than they're so far received. It would be nice to see fully re-mastered versions on Blu-ray.In the first film, Tarzan is introduced. He is shown to be a heroic - yet rather wild - character. As the series develops, Tarzan is slowly tamed, and made more 'civil', yet he strives for his earlier life-style - and enjoys having Jane and their son live with him in the African jungles.This box-set has 3 discs (2 films on each; with both sides of each disc being playable).

Which actor is the best Tarzan? My generation, pre TV, was movie mad. The Tarzan of that era was Johnny Weissmuller, a swimmer, who won 5 Olympic Gold Medals and in 1922 broke the 100 metre freestyle record, swimming it in 58.6 secs. Johnny first acted as Tarzan in 1932 (Tarzan the Ape Man), and played the part in a dozen or so films: he also invented the Tarzan 'Yell'. His speech wasn't articulate, which was more in keeping with the character that he portrayed. The films are in black and white and depict 'our' Tarzan of 1932-48....When a Tarzan film was on at the local cinema, kids often climbed trees, and issued forth that famous 'yell'. He was our 'hero' and mimicked throughout the land. Watch the films, they are part of the history of my childhood. Dated maybe (like me), but well worth a viewing, with Jane, the lovely Maureen O'Sullivan, the beloved Cheetah, who survived into the 21st century, and latterly, boy, played by Johnny Sheffield. You will love them all.......Trumpeting elephants too.

What great value this set offers, for fans of classic Tarzan movies. And who better as Tarzan himself other than the mighty Johnny Weissmuller? These movies make it easy to see why Weissmuller remains to this day a fan favourite Tarzan. His take on the character is innocent but brave, affectionate but strong, childlike but not childish.There are MANY actors who have played the part, and done so very well, but there are just a handful that will forever be classed a actors who have defined a role in quite the way that Weissmuller did. Very few others indeed...Barker, Scott, Henry, Ely (on TV), Lambert?As for the films themselves, there are things in these films that just would not happen today, the cool indifference to racism (shooting dead a bearer that does not want to go any further through fear) the clearly white small actors, blacked up to play Pygmies, the footage from real hunting safaris, used as stock footage and as rear-projection back plates, showing lions and hippos actually being shot for fun. Thankfully, these things have passed, and good riddance to them.However, the films in themselves are excellent. It is good to see them again.

Ok

It takes me straight back to the 1950's! Saturday morning pictures; " We come along on Saturday morning,Greeting everybody with a smile We come along on Saturday morning,Knowing it's well worthwhile,". The organ coming up from the depths to accompany us. Some lucky ones going up onto the stage because it was their birthday. The format was always the same. A cartoon, a short, featuring Laurel and Hardy or the Three Stooges; the serial; Pearl & Dean for the interval; buying ice cream wafers. And then, finally, the Big Picture. This Tarzan DVD set of films is right from that era for me. I remebered the blood curdling call that summoned the elephants to rescue him. But then suddenly that word I had completely forgotton "Umgower"; repeated several times throughout the films; the answer to any problem dealing with the wild animals.The safari always travelled in a crocodile and it was always the one at the back that got taken by the natives who were made up to feature in everyones' nightmares for weeks to come and certainly stopped me from ever wanting to visit Africa. Them along with the Mau Mau! Still haven't made it to Africa; still have no wish to go!

Bought second hand at a very good price, the condition of the item was good

I remember watching these films on TV in the 70's, as a kid. they still hold a great fascination for me, though their quality deteriorates through the series. Weismuller will always be Tarzan for me. He was no great shakes as an actor but he brought charisma and humour to the role. The shower scene in Tarzan goes to New York still makes me chuckle. Of course the star of the show was Cheetah, the chimp, who always got into scrapes an often saved the day. I was pleasantly surprised by how well these films hold up 30 years after I first saw them and some 60 years and more after they were made.The box set is well presented and the transfers are sympathetic to the material. The first film also features some risque restored footage of Jane swimming naked which is beautifully filmed and very tasteful. Modern directors and movie studios could take a note.