Tarzan (G, 1999)

common sense media says

Kids will be drawn to Disney's fast-paced version.

parents & educators say

29% say violence is an issue
29% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that several important sympathetic characters die in this film, some off-screen and some onscreen. In separate instances a baby gorilla and Tarzan’s parents are killed by a rampaging leopard. Though these incidents occur off-screen, in both cases the aftermath is clear: grieving gorilla parents coming to terms with their loss, and Tarzan’s parents’ lifeless bodies seen surrounded by bloody paw prints on the floor of their house. There's also a climactic onscreen death of the heroic leader of the gorilla band, shot by a scheming human. There’s lots of cartoon action: an escape from a burning ship; the leopard’s fierce threat to the animal kingdom in numerous scenes; Tarzan’s fight to the death with the leopard; rampaging frightened elephants; and, finally, villainous humans attacking and trapping Tarzan and his gorilla family, resulting in a lengthy final battle.

Educational value: Not applicable.

Positive messages: This film shows various species in nature (including humans) being threatened by creatures who appear to be different from themselves. Tarzan knows he’s different from his ape family, but longs to be accepted. “Forget what you see,” he is told by his loving gorilla mother, “hearts are the same.” Both Tarzan and the patriarch of the gorilla band learn important lessons about acceptance.

Positive role models: Tarzan’s gorilla mother is loyal and loving, and exhibits all the traits of good parenting (regardless of species). Tarzan is depicted at various ages as he develops a conscience, worthy values, and courageous loyalty. Despite the fact that the story takes place early in the 20th century and she’s a “damsel in distress” in several sequences, the female character is a scientist, who is competent, fair-minded, and resourceful.

Violence & scariness: Lots of cartoon action throughout. A terrified family (mother, father, and the baby who will become Tarzan) escapes from a burning boat. An aggressive, scary leopard kills a baby gorilla (off screen), which is followed by the discovery of Tarzan’s dead parents with bloody leopard paw prints nearby. Tarzan later kills the leopard after an extended fight. Elephants rampage; monkeys charge a young human woman (Jane). Evil humans use rifles to attack, trap, and cage the gorillas and Tarzan. The gorilla king is shot and killed by the human villain. The final, lengthy physical fight pits Tarzan against the villain, who unwittingly causes his own death, falling from a great height.

Sexy stuff: A budding romance between Tarzan and Jane ends with a loving kiss.

Language: Not applicable.

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A man pours glasses of wine for himself and Tarzan. Tarzan does not drink it.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about Tarzan and his life between two worlds. Do you think he belongs with the apes or with humans? How did he adapt to life with the apes? Why wasn't he accepted right away? Why does an ape decide to raise Tarzan?
Have you seen any other versions of this story? Which do you like best?
The animators were inspired by skateboarders when they created Tarzan's scenes swinging through the trees. Can you see any skateboarding moves in the animation?

What's the story?

TARZAN begins with two sets of mothers and fathers care for their babies. One set is human, shipwrecked, and making a new home for themselves in a tree. The other parents are gorillas, raising their baby in the gorilla community. When the human baby's parents and the baby gorilla are killed by a tiger, the gorilla mother, Kala (voiced by Glenn Close), adopts the human baby and raises him as her own. Her mate Kerchak, the leader of the gorillas, agrees reluctantly, but insists that the boy is an outsider, who can never be one of them. The boy, called Tarzan by Kala, is hurt by Kerchak's snub, and tries desperately to fit in. He hurtles through trees at lightning speed and even walks on his knuckles. He's comfortable in his world until more humans come ashore, bringing with them curiosities good and bad. While Jane (Minnie Driver) makes the human world tempting, the hunters and their cruelty draw him back to the jungle. Which life will he choose?

Is it any good?

Disney's animated epic owes as much to The Lion King and the tale of the ugly duckling as it does to the Johnny Weissmuller live-action series or the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels.

The storytelling is solid and the characters are memorable, especially Rosie O'Donnell as Tarzan's trouble-loving gorilla friend and Nigel Hawthorne as the bumbling professor. Kids will immediately be drawn in to this version because of its pace and action. Tarzan whips through trees and slides down their trunks like Tony Hawk (indeed the animators watched videos of skaters as inspiration). The music is catchy, too. Phil Collins won an Oscar for the tearjerker "You'll Be in My Heart."

Movie themes & details

Themes

adventures, book characters, wild animals

Movie Details

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Chris Buck, Kevin Lima
Cast: Glenn Close, Minnie Driver, Tony Goldwyn
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: June 27, 1999
DVD release: October 18, 2005
MPAA Rating: G

This review was written by Nell Minow

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:

29% say violence is an issue
29% say there are positive role models
29% say there are positive messages

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

BlueSunday
teen, 15 years old

There's never a dull moment

One of the most amazing movies I've ever seen! The animation is beautiful, the characters are sweet, its funny, over all brilliant! Tarzan is strong and caring, Jane is funny and loveable, her father is just goofy (in a good way) Kala (Tarzan's gorilla mother) is understanding and forgiving. Kerckek is... well, get over his temper tantrums and you'll love him. Claiton, or as Tarzan knows him "the sound of a gun-shot" well, he's a villan, we aren't suppose to like him, but he's a good villan. Terk, hysterical, Tantor, a worry-wart, but so fun. Anyway.. you can't really hate any of them, they're all amazing characters! As far as gore goes: baby gorilla dies (ends with crying in pain off screen) parents bodies half hidden, bloody paw-prints, killed lepard, hanging death. You'll get over that when you see how amazing the movie is. I loved this sinse I was little, and when Kala tells Tarzan they look differen't, but we're all the same, and they just don't trust what they can't explain, that is such a sweet scene. Also, as far as alcahol goes, Clintain gives Tarzan a small glass of wine when they were talking, but Tarzan got rid of it without tasting it (That a'boy!)

What other families should know

Movie Details

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Genre

Tarzan (G, 1999)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Tarzan

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Review It

Review Tarzan

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

There's never a dull moment

Another great Disney Classic

Decent Kids movie

A good movie for pretty much everyone

A good movie for kids of basically all ages.

A great fasamily film

I'll swing by that forest - seems better than the mordern world now.

Great g-rated movie ruined with strong animated violence

very vilont for a G rated but still good

I thought it was amazing

I love it...now that I'm older.

Way too violent for little kids; better wait.

Durrrr, this movie suck cuz it's realistic! DURRRRR!!!!

hi

Wonderful Movie:

Very Violent for young chikdren

Totally un-necessary violence!

Much more intense then most Disney animated movies

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