Is Tarzan Based on a True Story, Plot, Cast and More
by Mathelene | Updated Jan 24, 2024
Is Tarzan Based on a True Story?
Tarzan, the iconic character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs, may be inspired by a real person. The 14th Earl of Streatham, William Charles Mildin, shares similarities with Tarzan's story. Mildin, an English noble, claimed to have survived 15 years in the African wilderness after a shipwreck, befriending apes for food.
While there's no direct proof, his life experiences align with Tarzan's adventures – shipwreck, interaction with primates, and survival in the jungle. Mildin's story emerged from family documents after his son's death in 1937. Although Burroughs cited various inspirations, including mythology, the intriguing parallels with Mildin's life suggest a potential real-life influence on the beloved Tarzan character.
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Tarzan
Tarzan is a 1999 animated film by Walt Disney Pictures, based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1912 story. Directed by Kevin Lima and Chris Buck, it's the first major motion picture adaptation of Tarzan. The film features voices like Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver, and Rosie O'Donnell. Production started in 1995, with a team trip to Uganda and Kenya for gorilla research. Phil Collins composed songs, and Mark Mancina provided the score.
Combining hand-drawn animation with computer-generated imagery, the film premiered on June 12, 1999, and earned $448.2 million globally. It received acclaim for its voices, music, and animation, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Tarzan's success led to a Broadway adaptation, TV series, and two sequels: Tarzan & Jane (2002) and Tarzan II (2005).
Tarzan Release Date
Tarzan premiered on June 12, 1999, at the El Capitan Theater, where the cast and filmmakers attended. The premiere included a forty-minute concert with Phil Collins performing songs from the film. Following this, on July 23, 1999, Disney introduced a digital projection release of Tarzan in three theaters, including Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island multiplex, for a three-week run.
Notably, Tarzan was the first major feature film to be produced, mastered, and projected digitally. This was a significant development, as previous films like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and An Ideal Husband had received digital projection releases despite being shot on photographic film. Tarzan's digital release marked a technological milestone in the film industry.
Tarzan Plot
In the late 1880s, a British couple and their baby survive a shipwreck in Equatorial Africa. Unfortunately, they're attacked by a leopard, leaving the child orphaned. Kala, a gorilla whose own son was killed by the leopard, finds and adopts the baby, naming him Tarzan. As Tarzan grows up, he befriends other animals and tries hard to fit in despite his different physique. When a group of human explorers, including Jane and her father, arrives to study gorillas, Tarzan's world changes.
He learns about the human world, falls in love with Jane, and faces a dilemma when Clayton, a member of the expedition, plots to exploit the gorillas. Tarzan, with the help of his animal friends, saves the day, earns the acceptance of the gorillas, and decides to stay in the jungle with Jane and her father, creating a new life together.
Tarzan Cast
Tony Goldwyn
Tarzan
Alex D. Linz
Young Tarzan
Minnie Driver
Jane Porter
Glenn Close
Kala (Tarzan's Mother)
Lance Henriksen
Kerchak (Tarzan's Father)
Brian Blessed
William Cecil Clayton
Nigel Hawthorne
Professor Porter
Rosie O'Donnell
Terk
Wayne Knight
Tantor
Taylor Dempsey
Young Tantor
Erik von Detten
Flynt
Jason Marsden
Mungo
Lily Collins
Baby Ape
Voice Cast
Character
Where to watch Tarzan?
You can currently stream "Tarzan" on Hotstar, and if you prefer, you have the option to purchase it for download or rent it on Apple TV and Amazon Video. This means you can enjoy the animated adventure film through different online platforms based on your preference.
Whether you want to watch it through a streaming service like Hotstar or own a digital copy through Apple TV, the movie is readily accessible for your viewing convenience. Simply choose the platform that suits your needs, and you'll be able to enjoy the story of Tarzan, the man raised by gorillas, and his journey of self-discovery in the jungles of Equatorial Africa.
Is Tarzan Based on a True Story - FAQs
While Tarzan is a fictional character from Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1912 novel, there are intriguing parallels between his story and the life of the 14th Earl of Streatham, William Charles Mildin, as suggested by a 1959 article in Man's Adventure magazine.
Burroughs cited classic tales and mythology, often referring to the story of Romulus and Remus. However, he may have hidden his actual inspiration for the character.
Tarzan premiered on June 12, 1999, at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.
Tarzan was the first major feature film to be produced, mastered, and projected digitally, marking a significant advancement in the film industry.
The main cast includes Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan, Minnie Driver as Jane Porter, Glenn Close as Kala, Lance Henriksen as Kerchak, Brian Blessed as Clayton, and Rosie O'Donnell as Terk.