Disney's Tarzan: 25 Years Of Cultural Impact And Legacy - Daily Disney News (2024)

It’s been 25 years since we heard those now-iconic drums and found ourselves immersed in Tarzan’s Two Worlds for the very first time.

While it’s hard to believe so much time has passed, today is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the film’s legacy since its release.

1. Tarzan: Story and Characters

Tarzan managed to stay true to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ original stories of the man who was raised by apes while making them accessible to a contemporary audience.

Its themes of family, identity, and the natural world continue to resonate with audiences, making it a staple in discussions about classic animated films.

Additionally, the film’s depiction of the jungle and the animals within it inspired interest in wildlife protection and environmental issues, contributing to a greater cultural appreciation for these topics.

The character development in the film is also top-notch.

Tarzan’s portrayal as a more emotionally complex character than his book counterpart, and his journey from boy to man, made him more relatable. So much so, that he quickly rose as a favorite within the Disney Heroes franchise.

All the supporting characters are iconic as well, from the sweet Jane, the hilarious duo Terk and Tantor, and of course the menacing Clayton (whose ending is still nightmare-inducing to this day), just to mention a few.

In short, there’s a clear reason why Tarzan has remained a beloved film over the years and why it’s often cited as a favorite among fans of Disney animation.

2. Tarzan‘s Musical Impact

The film’s soundtrack, composed by Phil Collins, is widely considered one of the best Disney soundtracks of all time.

Songs like You’ll Be in My Heart, Son of Man, and Strangers Like Me became instant classics that Disney fans still remember and enjoy today.

Additionally, Tarzan‘s soundtrack went on to win several awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for You’ll Be in My Heart.

Collins’ involvement and the film’s overall musical success set a precedent for future Disney films to feature prominent artists contributing to their soundtracks.

3. Technological Innovations

Another one of the most notable legacies of Tarzan is the introduction of the Deep Canvas technique.

This innovative technology allowed 2D characters to interact seamlessly with 3D environments, creating a more immersive and dynamic experience as Tarzan makes his way through the jungle.

Tarzan‘s success with Deep Canvas also highlighted Disney’s ability to evolve and adapt in a rapidly changing industry. By embracing new techniques, Disney continued to captivate audiences with visually stunning and emotionally resonant stories.

This technological leap underscored Disney’s role as a pioneer in animation and left a lasting impact on the industry, influencing the way animated films are crafted for years to come.

4. Tarzan Adaptations and Sequels

Tarzan was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $448 million worldwide, which made it one of the highest-grossing films of 1999 and marked the end of the Disney Renaissance Era.

Given its success, it’s no surprise that Disney wanted to explore Tarzan‘s world further.

First came The Legend of Tarzan series that ran for 2 seasons from 2001 to 2003, followed by the direct-to-video sequel Tarzan & Jane in 2002.

Both Tarzan & Jane and The Legend of Tarzan explore how Jane and Professor Porter adjust to their new life in the jungle, while Tarzan adapts to his marriage to Jane and his role as leader of the gorillas.

Later on in 2005, Disney released Tarzan II, ironically a prequel depicting Tarzan’s younger years before he became an adult and met Jane.

However, neither of these sequels or the series achieved the same quality of animation or storytelling as the original film and mostly remain overlooked by Disney and fans alike.

The Legend of Tarzan isn’t even available for streaming on Disney+ at the time of publishing this article.

A pilot for a live-action series called Tarzan’s Animal Friends was allegedly filmed in Florida sometime around the early 00s but was not picked up.

As for the burning question: Will we see a new live-action remake of Tarzan? It’s quite possible, but nothing’s been confirmed just yet.

5. Tarzan‘s Theatrical productions

About a month after the movie’s premiere, a new Tarzan show debuted in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida, called Tarzan Rocks!

The show presented an abridged version of the film’s story and primarily featured the film’s songs as rock musical numbers, incorporating complex acrobatics and skating stunts.

Tarzan Rocks! ran at the Theater in the Wild from 1999 until its closure in 2006, when it made way for Finding Nemo: The Musical (now Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!)

Similar shows named Tarzan: The Encounter and Tarzan: Call of the Jungle later opened at Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland but have since closed.

You can watch a fan-filmed version of the show here:

In 2006, a Broadway musical adaptation of the film opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (currently home to Hamilton) and ran for over 480 performances.

This adaptation, featuring additional songs by Phil Collins, adjusted some plot points to suit the constraints of the theater medium.

The show received mixed reviews, but producers continue to stage it both in the US and worldwide, with the most recent production currently underway in Germany.

6. Tarzan merch and presence at the Disney Parks

In addition to the aforementioned shows, a Tarzan attraction called Tarzan’s Treehouse opened in Disneyland in California in 1999 and in Hong Kong Disneyland in 2005.

This walk-through attraction allows guests to tour inside Tarzan’s home in the jungle, featuring several details and nods inspired by the film and its characters.

Disney recently rethemed Tarzan’s Treehouse in California back to Swiss Family Robinson, but Hong Kong Disneyland still maintains Tarzan‘s version.

However, it is currently closed for refurbishment at the time of publishing. According to the website, it will reopen soon with updated features.

In addition to this, Tarzan, Jane, and Terk are usually available for Meet and Greets in the parks, particularly at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Florida.

These characters also appear regularly at the end of Fantasmic!

At the time Tarzan premiered, a wide variety of merchandise was available, including apparel, toys, books, five video games, snow globes, collectible pins, and more.

And while Tarzan merchandise is somewhat rarer to find today, it’s certainly not impossible, especially at the parks.

For example, you can take a look at this year’s commemorative pin below:

In conclusion

Even though it’s been 25 years, Disney’s Tarzan has undeniably left a lasting legacy through its technological advancements, memorable music, fun adaptations, and ever enduring popularity.

It stands as a significant milestone in animation history, continuing to influence the genre today.

Where will this franchise go next? Only time will tell

But one thing is certain: the original film will continue to entertain and inspire newer generations for years to come.

Tarzan is available to stream now in Disney+.

What do you think?

Is Tarzan still among your favorite Disney films? What are your favorite quotes? And most importantly, will you be watching it today to celebrate?

Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to stay tuned to TheDisInsider.com for all the latest news about your favorite Disney films.

And there’s nothing more to say than:

AAAAAAh-ahhah-ahhah-ahhah-AAAAAAAAAAh!

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