Tarzan: 5 Ways The Film Changed The Animated Story (& 5 Ways It’s The Same)
Many have fond memories watching Disney animated films when they were younger. Some preferred the mermaid tale of Ariel or the warrior story of Mulan. Other’s enjoyed the man raised by apes known as Tarzan. Tarzan first dazzled audiences in 1999 and later received a sequel and a prequel.
Tarzan has been adapted in live-action films before with Brendan Fraser playing the role in the parody film, George of the Jungle. In 2o16, Alexander Skarsgård took on the live-action role in The Legend of Tarzan. But just how similar is it to the original animated films? Let’s take a look at how the live-action stuck to key storyline elements and what it disregarded.
10 Different: Tarzan’s Trusty Companion
Disney fans loved the friendship between Tarzan and his two best friends, Terk and Tantor. They made for an interesting group of friends. Tantor is a paranoid germaphobic male elephant and Terk is a rough-around-the-edges female gorilla. As the only human in the jungle, Tarzan develops a close bond with these two.
In the live-action version, Tantor’s friendship doesn’t occur. It’s a bit disheartening to see that an important figure in Tarzan’s upbringing wasn’t included in the film. Instead, it focuses on his mother and other ape characters.
9 Same: The Head Gorilla Figure/ Terk
In the Disney version, Tarzan is taken in by Kala much to the dismay of her mate, Kerchak. Kerchak then holds a dislike for Tarzan during his youth and adulthood. By the end, Tarzan proves his commitment to the apes and gets Kerchak’s approval. In the live-action film, this character still somewhat exists but under different circumstances.
Instead of being Kala’s mate, Akute is Kala’s biological son. Akute was once Tarzan’s brother before he felt betrayed by his departure for England. Akute also becomes the leader of the apes much like Kerchak.
8 Different: Tarzan’s Human Interactions
According to the storyline of the Disney film, Tarzan meets Jane and her father as his first real encounter with humans. In the live-action, it’s the same. But in the film, Tarzan then has much more human interactions than the animated Tarzan. According to the film, Tarzan and Jane had a childhood with the Kuba village.
They took in Tarzan and helped teach him after Jane found him with the Mangani. The film also includes another rival village where Tarzan killed the leader’s son for killing Kala. The Disney version only includes Jane, her father, and the explorers.
7 Same: Time Period
Both films keep the time periods the same due to it being important to both storylines. Tarzan’s parents are first shipwrecked in the 1860s and Tarzan reaching adulthood in the 1880s. During this time, British expansion was occurring prompting Jane, her father, and the explorers to travel to new lands for an expedition.
The live-action fast forwards to take place in 1884-1885 when Tarzan is already an adult. At this time Britain was a primary leading force and still sought an expedition to gain power. Hence King Leopard II claiming the Congo.
6 Different: The Claimed Congo
A huge difference in the storyline of both films is Tarzan’s main premise to the film. In the live-action, the Congo Basin is claimed by King Leopard II. Years later, the king is accused of exploiting its resources leaving him in massive debts. This is the main reasoning behind why Tarzan returns back to his original home.
The Disney version focuses on Jane, her father a group of explorers traveling to Africa. Jane and her father are under the impression that they are there to learn about the apes for research. In reality, the group of explorers is there to kill and capture the apes to seel back in England.
5 Same: The Diamonds Storyline
After the first Disney Tarzan, a sequel film was created called Tarzan & Jane. The film wasn’t a major hit but it did include a storyline similar to that of the live-action. King Leopard II sends his envoy to the Congo to retrieve diamonds in order to wipe his massive debt. Tarzan is asked to go back to the Congo to reinforce British control but refuses.
In the second animated film, Jane tries to think of a suitable wedding anniversary gift for Tarzan. She recalls a time when Tarzan tried to get a diamond for Jane. He led two men to Volcano riddled with diamonds. In exchange, Tarzan would receive a diamond. the two men only turned on Tarzan.
4 Same: Tarzan’s Origins
It’s hard not to keep Tarzan’s origin story the same in all film versions. It’s the seed that leads to his future self. In both versions of Tarzan’s story, how he stumbles upon Kala is the same.
Tarzan’s parents were involved in a shipwreck on the African Coast. They build or stumble upon a tree house to make as their new home. One night they are attacked by a jaguar. The only discrepancy is that in the live-action his mother is killed not his father. His father is instead killed by the apes before he’s found by Kala.
3 Different: Enslavement of Congo People
The animated version of Tarzan never includes any other humans besides himself and the explorers. The second film has a bot more human interaction. Seeing as the live-action is rooted in more present issues of the time, there is a pinnacle reason as to why Tarzan returns home.
The British Primer Minister offers Tarzan an invitation to visit Boma to secure British authority. Tarzan denies his offer until the Priem Minister tells him the real reason for his journey. He suspects King Leopard II of enslaving the Congolese people for profitable gain and control. This later proves to be true and Tarzan puts it to an end.
2 Same: How Tarzan Met Jane
Thankfully the romantic story of how Tarzan met Jane is still present in both films. Jane and her father join a group of explorers to Africa. They had heard of a man living in the jungle and Jane is the first to meet him. In the animated film, Jane is lost in the jungle and soon meets Tarzan.
Tarzan is perturbed by this person who happens to have the same characteristics as he does. The live-action has Jane playing hide-and-seek before meeting Tarzan. The same comical and cute interaction occurs where Tarzan starts smelling Jane and Jane is a little freaked out.
1 Different: Tarzan’s Return To Civilization
The Legend of Tarzan doesn’t start out with Tarzan in the jungle. Quite the contrary. Tarzan is now John Clayton III or as wealthy Lord Greystoke. He returned back to England with Jane to live a normal civilized human life. This never occurs in the Disney version.
In the first film, Tarzan believes he must go to England as it is the only way to stay with Jane. By the end, both realize that the jungle is their home and make new roots there. The live-action version focuses on Tarzan’s acclimation to high society life. By the end, Jane and John return home to Africa.
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