You are here:
Tarzan Goes to India

Tarzan Goes to India

1962

NR

Director

John Guillermin

Runtime

88 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Summoned by an Indian princess, Tarzan travels to India where hundreds of wild elephants are in danger. A company is building a hydroelectric dam and the contractors have only a few weeks to finish the job. The building of the dam will flood the valley surrounded by mountains. There is one pass through which the elephant herd can escape but that is being closed. Tarzan comes up against an old nemesis, Bryce, the chief engineer. Bryce undertook a similar dam project in Africa and had a penchant for shooting elephants. It's up to Tarzan to organize the move before Bryce manages to close the pass.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.3/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film contains no discernible LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. It adheres strictly to mid-century conventionality without any queer subtext or critiques of heteronormativity.

Gender Representation

Limited

The story centers on masculine archetypes, focusing on Tarzan and his antagonist. While an Indian princess initiates the plot, she serves as a catalyst rather than a character with independent agency.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The narrative remains centered on a Western protagonist navigating a foreign landscape. While local characters are included, the power dynamics lean toward a colonialist framework where the Western hero intervenes in local crises.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film frames its central conflict as a personal struggle between a hero and a villain. It lacks a deep systemic critique of Western industrialism or a deconstruction of Western hegemony.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no visible or invisible disability representation. Characters are portrayed solely through the lens of physical capability required for the adventure genre.

Strengths

  • Includes local characters and an Indian setting to facilitate the plot.
  • Avoids overt ethnic caricatures in its portrayal of the setting.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks agency for female characters, who often serve merely as plot catalysts.
  • Maintains a colonialist framework by centering a Western hero in a foreign land.
  • Fails to provide any representation for LGBTQ+ or disabled communities.
  • Prioritizes personal heroics over a systemic critique of industrialism or capitalism.

AI Analysis

Tarzan Goes to India functions as a traditional adventure narrative that prioritizes physical action over intersectional depth. The film relies heavily on established tropes of the Western hero, which limits its engagement with diverse identities. The narrative architecture reinforces traditional hierarchies. While the setting is Indian, the story remains anchored to a Western perspective, positioning the protagonist as the primary driver of change in a foreign environment. Ultimately, the film lacks the intentionality required to disrupt social or identity-based hierarchies. It presents a standard hero-versus-villain conflict that avoids systemic critique or meaningful representation of marginalized groups.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.