The Legend of Tarzan (2016)
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A man who has lived in the wild for years is drawn back into the world of men to confront the injustices of the Congo.
The story
After moving to London, John Clayton, known as Tarzan, is convinced by an American envoy to return to the jungles of Africa. He is tasked with investigating claims of slavery in the Congo. Amidst the backdrop of the Berlin Conference and the exploitation of the Congo Free State by King Leopold II of Belgium, John must navigate a dangerous landscape of political intrigue and physical peril. Accompanied by his wife Jane and the envoy George Washington Williams, he enters the jungle to uncover the truth about the region's exploitation and the fate of its people.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the Berlin Conference, King Leopold II of Belgium claims the Congo Basin. To manage his debts, he sends Léon Rom to find the fabled diamonds of Opar. Rom's expedition is attacked by Chief Mbonga's warriors, who offer diamonds in exchange for Tarzan. In London, John Clayton (Tarzan) and his wife Jane are persuaded by George Washington Williams to travel to the Congo as witnesses against Leopold's slavery. During their journey, they are captured by Rom's men. John, George, and local warriors later seize a train to fight Rom's plan to use slave labor to build a mercenary army. They eventually reach the heart of the jungle, where John faces his foster brother Akut among the Mangani. Meanwhile, Jane and a boy named Wasimbu escape Rom's men. A confrontation occurs between John and Mbonga over a past tragedy. Ultimately, John and George lead a rescue of the local people, while John faces Rom in a final confrontation where Rom is left to be devoured by crocodiles. One year later, John and Jane are in Africa, where John returns to his life as Tarzan.
- First release year
- 2016
- Runtime (minutes)
- 110
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Yates
- Writers
- Adam Cozad · screenplay; Craig Brewer · screenplay; Craig Brewer · story; Adam Cozad · story
- Cast and characters
- Alexander Skarsgård · John Clayton III, 5th Earl of Greystoke / Tarzan; Samuel L. Jackson · George Washington Williams; Margot Robbie · Jane Clayton, Countess of Greystoke, née Porter; Djimon Hounsou · Chief Mbonga; Christoph Waltz · Captain Léon Rom
- Genres
- action; adventure
- Themes
- Colonialism; Identity; Nature vs. Civilization
- Tone and mood
- Action-packed; Epic
- Premise and plot tags
- Adventure; Historical Fiction; Survival
- Source material / true-story basis
- Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Franchise connections
- Tarzan
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising the character's portrayal while others criticized the pacing and plot.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 36% · scale: percentage · review count: 258; Metacritic · score: 44 · scale: 100 · review count: 41
- Production trivia
- The film was shot in England, with only six weeks spent in Gabon for background footage.; Several locations in England, including Kedleston Hall and Highclere Castle, served as stand-ins for African locations.; The production was nearly canceled in 2013 due to budget concerns.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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