TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY

Fuhrer of the Apes

The latest Tarzan movie ain't the best ever made, but it sure beats that lame syndicated TV series.

Casper Van Dien is the new Lord Greystoke. He's a little short for the part, but otherwise fills the bill admirably. However, the script gives him too little to do really. Much of the action is provided by other characters, making it appear that Tarzan is less of a superman.

Other than that important factor, there's little to complain about in this German-produced Tarzan adventure. Little to cheer about either.

On the positive: This is as faithful a portrayal of Edgar Rice Burroughs material as I've ever seen - at least, faithful to Burroughs' pulp potboilers of the '30s and '40s. It's a period piece, Tarzan is portrayed as a highly intelligent man with a dual animal nature, native tribesmen both fear and respect him, and Tarzan is fiercely devoted to Jane (Jane March) and protective of his jungle territory.

On the negative: The fabulous jeweled city of Opar described in the novels is reduced to one ruined pyramid. Tarzan needs the magic of a friendly native wizard to take care of a measly dozen treasure hunting thugs. There's not enough animal action - not really much action that grabs you at all.

This is a decent B-movie and a good step in the right direction for future Burroughs projects.

Lord of the apes; psychic phenomena; magic.

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