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The Adventures of Tarzan

Name: The Adventures of Tarzan
Director: Scott Sidney, Robert F. Hill
Released: 1921
Duration: 150 min

Representation Score

0.3/10

Minimal

1921

Director

Scott Sidney, Robert F. Hill

Runtime

150 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film reflects the historical context of 1921, focusing on colonialist adventure clichés without diverse character development. It upholds traditional hierarchies favoring a white protagonist and conventional gender roles. Narrative ability to act is largely given to the main character, while women and indigenous groups have limited roles or are portrayed negatively. This structure supports the social norms of the early 20th century without challenging them. Overall, the film reinforces racial and cultural biases of the time, offering little space for nuanced or multi-layered representation.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Adventures of Tarzan have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or expressions that go beyond traditional heterosexual relationships. Romantic relationships are strictly between opposite-sex partners.

How does The Adventures of Tarzan portray gender?

Limited

Female characters mainly play passive roles, often needing rescue. Masculinity is shown through physical strength and leadership roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Adventures of Tarzan?

Minimal

The story centers around a white, Anglo-Saxon protagonist who serves as a 'white savior.' Indigenous peoples are used as background elements or obstacles without much depth.

How does The Adventures of Tarzan represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The narrative presents non-Western cultures and religions as exotic or antagonistic. It emphasizes the superiority of Western explorers in unfamiliar lands.

Does The Adventures of Tarzan include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The focus is on physical strength and survival skills.

Present on Screen

Provides a clear, high-stakes adventure narrative focused on survival and physical prowess.

Limited or Absent

Relies on the 'white savior' cliché and lacks meaningful roles for non-white characters.
Female characters are confined to passive roles within the 'damsel in distress' cliché.
Narrative reinforces colonialist perspectives and Western-centric cultural hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

Tarzan spurns the love of La, Queen of Opar. When he isn't trying to keep the Bolshevik Rokoff and Clayton (pretender to the Greystoke estate) from reaching Opar, he is attacked simultaneously by two lions, dropped into a pit when a volcano splits the ground, nearly sacrificed by sun worshipers, and so on.

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