Tarzan: The Epic Adventures

Tarzan: The Epic Adventures

Logo of "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures"
Genre Action
Adventure
Science fantasy
Created by Edgar Rice Burroughs (characters)
Starring Joe Lara
Aaron Seville
Don McLeod
Nkhensani Manganyi
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 22
Production
Executive producer(s) Paul Siegel
Henry Siegel
Joe Lara
Running time 45 minutes
Production company(s) Keller Siegel Entertainment (series)
Keller Entertainment Group
Distributor Seagull Entertainment
Peter Rodgers Organization
Release
Original network First-run syndication
Original release August 28, 1996 – May 25, 1997

Tarzan: The Epic Adventures is an American syndicated series that aired for one season (1996–97). It focuses on the character of Tarzan in his early years, after his first exposure to civilization, but before his marriage to Jane. The inclusion of the character Nicholas Rokoff, and the fact that Tarzan is not yet married, sets this series in-between the two halves of The Return of Tarzan. The series uses much of the mythology of Edgar Rice Burroughs' books as background material.

This version of Tarzan was filmed in the Sun City resort in South Africa, making it one of the few Tarzan productions to actually film on that continent.[1]

Plot

The series begins with Tarzan, still living in Europe, returning home to Africa to foil the plans of the evil Count Rokoff. After defeating both Rokoff and his accomplice, Mora, queen of the flesh-eating monsters known as Mahars, Tarzan decides to stay in Africa, and is reunited with his old friend Timba, who joins him in his adventures.

Similar to shows like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, The Adventures of Sinbad, and The New Adventures of Robin Hood, the series places a heavy emphasis on fantasy. Among the common elements present were evil sorcerers, magical beings, journeys to other realms, and hidden civilizations. The show also had the recurring theme of who Tarzan really was, and the mystery of where Timba's tribe had vanished to.

Cast

Notes: Joe Lara also played Tarzan in the otherwise unrelated CBS television movie Tarzan in Manhattan. Lydie Denier played Jane Porter in the previousTarzán television series.

Episodes

No.TitleOriginal air date 
1–2"Tarzan's Return"August 28, 1996 (1996-08-28)

Tarzan must stop the plans of the evil Count Nicholas Rokoff and the Mahars.

Note: Aired as a two-hour special premiere.
3"Tarzan and the Leopard Queen"
"Tarzan and the Leopard Woman"		September 28, 1996 (1996-09-28)
Tarzan is reunited with his old friend Timba, but their reunion is put on hold when Wazi people are being kidnapped by the Leopard Men.
4"Tarzan and the Lost Legion"October 5, 1996 (1996-10-05)
When Timba is kidnapped by Roman centurions, Tarzan finds himself working with a young woman to overthrow her evil uncle.
5"Tarzan and the Scarlet Diamond"October 12, 1996 (1996-10-12)
An evil explorer pits two tribes, the other being lizard men, against each other for his own plans.
6"Tarzan and the Black Orchid"October 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
Tarzan must find a legendary plant to save Themba when he's infected with a strange disease.
7"Tarzan and the Reflections in an Evil Eye"October 26, 1996 (1996-10-26)
An evil medicine man hits Tarzan with a spell that divides the two halves of him: the human he is, and the ape he was raised as.
8"Tarzan and the Priestess of Opar"November 2, 1996 (1996-11-02)
The Lord of the Jungle becomes the object of affection for the priestess, La.
9"Tarzan and the Fury of the Zadu"November 9, 1996 (1996-11-09)
A sudden eclipse turns a tribe into savages, and Tarzan reluctantly asks for La's help to stop the evil spirit controlling them...which is also trying to possess the ape man.
10"Tarzan and the Revenge of Zimpala"November 16, 1996 (1996-11-16)
The brother of the hunter who killed Kala seeks revenge on Tarzan.
11"Tarzan and the Return of KuKulcan"November 23, 1996 (1996-11-23)
When Tashi is bitten by a snake, Tarzan and Timba take her to see a Mayan healer for help, but are soon caught up in the plans of the evil Snake People.
12"Tarzan and the White Pebble"January 26, 1997 (1997-01-26)
An oracle challenges Tarzan with a series of tests.
13"Tarzan and the Moon God"February 2, 1997 (1997-02-02)
A trio of pirates steal a statue from a tribe which holds a greater meaning than previously believed.
14"Tarzan and the Forbidden City"February 9, 1997 (1997-02-09)
When an old friend goes missing, Tarzan must work with the man's sister to rescue him, unaware of her true motives.
15"Tarzan and the Leopard Demon"February 16, 1997 (1997-02-16)
Tarzan must rescue an old friend from the Leopard Demon.
16"Tarzan and the Demon Within"February 23, 1997 (1997-02-23)

Tarzan must overcome his claustrophobia to save Timba.

Note: Clipshow episode.
17"Tarzan and the Mahars"March 2, 1997 (1997-03-02)
In a followup to the pilot, the Mahars return, and Tarzan must reluctantly work with Rokoff to stop them.
18"Tarzan and the Amtorans"April 27, 1997 (1997-04-27)
Tarzan finds himself transported to an alien world after he's accused of murder. Crossover with another Edgar Rice Burroughs creation, Carson Napier of Venus.
19"Tarzan and the Beast of Dunali"May 4, 1997 (1997-05-04)
Tarzan investigates a series of murders supposedly committed by apes. But the truth is far more disturbing...
20"Tarzan and the Shadow of Anger"May 11, 1997 (1997-05-11)
Tarzan must overcome mind control to stop a creature.
21"Tarzan and the Mystery of the Lake"May 18, 1997 (1997-05-18)
A group of explorers make two discoveries: a creature that may be the missing link... and a prehistoric monster living in a lake.
22"Tarzan and the Circus Hunter"May 25, 1997 (1997-05-25)
A trip turns deadly when Tarzan is caught up in a murder.

Planned second season

A second season was planned to air, but with actor Xavier DeClie replacing Lara in the lead, and Julie St. Claire cast as Jane.[2][3] However, bankruptcy proceedings were initiated against the show's distributor Seagull Entertainment in summer 1997,[4] and a second season was never produced.

Novel

Tarzan: The Epic Adventures
Author R. A. Salvatore
Series Tarzan (book series)
Publisher Del Rey
Publication date
 October 1996
Media type trade-paperback
Pages 279
ISBN 0-345-40810-1
Preceded by Tarzan: The Lost Adventure (1995)
Followed by The Dark Heart of Time (1999)

R. A. Salvatore wrote an authorized Tarzan novel based on pilot script which was published as a trade-paperback in 1996, and a mass-market paperback in 1997.

Nikolas Rokoff—Tarzan's nemesis from the first half of The Return of Tarzan—has a stolen crystal amulet with mystical power. The crystal can open gateways to the savage land of Pellucidar, and in so doing allows reptilian humanoids known as Mahars to attack the surface world. Tarzan therefore has to stop not only Rokoff; but Mora, the Queen of the Mahars as well.

References

  1. ↑ Hillman, Bill. “Tarzan: The Epic Adventures” ERBzine (Volume 0014a, ©1996–2006)
  2. ↑ Hontz, Jenny (May 5, 1997). "DeClie is TV's new Tarzan". Variety. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  3. ↑ "Down Memory Lane with Tarzan - Tarzan Filmography". 17...Xavier DeClie was chosen to replace Joe Lara as Tarzan, and a search was underway to find an actress to play Jane in a second season of "Tarzan, the Epic Adventures"... Declie looks to have been a good replacement and Julie St. Claire was chosen to play Jane. Promos were filmed but there was no second season.
  4. ↑ Littleton, Cynthia (July 29, 1997). "Seagull creditors file suit to liquidate group". Variety. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
Preceded by
Tarzan: The Lost Adventure		 Tarzan series
Tarzan: The Epic Adventures 		Succeeded by
The Dark Heart of Time
Preceded by
Tarzán
1991–1994		 Tarzan: The Epic Adventures
Tarzan: The Epic Adventures
1996–1997 		Succeeded by
The Legend of Tarzan
2001–2002
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