This is one of those rare cases of a sequel surpassing the original. Not only is it better than the first film but it's better than any other Tarzan movie ever made. Following up from the first Tarzan, Harry Holt (Neil Hamilton) returns to Africa a year later for ivory and also to try and convince Jane (Maureen O'Sullivan) to return to civilization with him. Joining Harry on the expedition is ruthless ivory hunter and cad Martin Arlington (Paul Cavanagh). When Tarzan (Johnny Weissmuller) stops them from removing ivory from the elephant graveyard, Arlington decides Tarzan must be killed.
The action is fantastic! The violence gets pretty graphic at times, too. The early scenes of Holt's expedition meeting one deadly obstacle after another is reminiscent of the wild island scenes in King Kong. Tarzan fighting a rhino, a crocodile, and a lion are awesome scenes. The jungle swinging stuff is lots of fun. The climactic battle involving the ivory hunters, natives, lions, apes, elephants, and our heroic couple is epic.
Neither Tarzan nor Jane show up until over 20 minutes in. The first time you hear that distinctive Tarzan yell is always the most exciting part of a Tarzan movie. Jane even gets her own yell this time but it's decidedly less impressive. Weissmuller and O'Sullivan are perfect. Their chemistry is amazing whether they're being romantic or sexy or playful. The scenes of their idyllic domestic life makes living in the wilderness and crapping behind bushes seem positively charming. Jane has been teaching Tarzan to speak English in between movies so Weissmuller gets more lines this time around. Although still few words at a time. Maureen wears a skimpy thigh-bearing two-piece throughout the movie. In all the subsequent movies they would cover her up with a one-piece. The famous underwater swimming scene with Jane au naturel is a highlight. The much-discussed sexual content is among the raciest of any Pre-Code film. In addition to the amount of skin on display, there are the many allusions to Tarzan and Jane's healthy sex life.
There's so much to love about this movie. Action, humor, drama, eroticism -- it's a classic in every way. After the enforcement of the Hays Code, the series would become less risqué but still a great deal of fun. The first two Pre-Code Weissmuller Tarzan movies still stand as the best.
The action is fantastic! The violence gets pretty graphic at times, too. The early scenes of Holt's expedition meeting one deadly obstacle after another is reminiscent of the wild island scenes in King Kong. Tarzan fighting a rhino, a crocodile, and a lion are awesome scenes. The jungle swinging stuff is lots of fun. The climactic battle involving the ivory hunters, natives, lions, apes, elephants, and our heroic couple is epic.
Neither Tarzan nor Jane show up until over 20 minutes in. The first time you hear that distinctive Tarzan yell is always the most exciting part of a Tarzan movie. Jane even gets her own yell this time but it's decidedly less impressive. Weissmuller and O'Sullivan are perfect. Their chemistry is amazing whether they're being romantic or sexy or playful. The scenes of their idyllic domestic life makes living in the wilderness and crapping behind bushes seem positively charming. Jane has been teaching Tarzan to speak English in between movies so Weissmuller gets more lines this time around. Although still few words at a time. Maureen wears a skimpy thigh-bearing two-piece throughout the movie. In all the subsequent movies they would cover her up with a one-piece. The famous underwater swimming scene with Jane au naturel is a highlight. The much-discussed sexual content is among the raciest of any Pre-Code film. In addition to the amount of skin on display, there are the many allusions to Tarzan and Jane's healthy sex life.
There's so much to love about this movie. Action, humor, drama, eroticism -- it's a classic in every way. After the enforcement of the Hays Code, the series would become less risqué but still a great deal of fun. The first two Pre-Code Weissmuller Tarzan movies still stand as the best.