Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive High Quality
The 1966 Tarzan television series, starring Ron Ely, represents a landmark moment for Edgar Rice Burroughs' iconic character. This version moved away from the "Me Tarzan, You Jane" stereotype, presenting an articulate, well-educated Lord Greystoke who willingly returned to his jungle roots. For fans looking to revisit this sophisticated era of the Jungle Lord, the Internet Archive offers an invaluable resource to stream or download episodes from the show's two-season run. A New Look for a Classic Legend
Produced by Sy Weintraub, the 1966 series was part of a "new look" for Tarzan that focused on realism and intelligence.
The Protagonist: Ron Ely’s Tarzan was a sophisticated bachelor who, after attending the finest schools, chose to live in a newly independent African nation.
Missing Characters: Notably, this series excluded Jane, focusing instead on Tarzan’s adventures with his young sidekick Jai, played by Manuel Padilla Jr., and the faithful chimpanzee Cheeta.
Authenticity: Filmed on location in Brazil and Mexico, the show featured stunning photography that set it apart from the studio-bound productions of earlier decades. Notable Episodes and Guest Stars
Despite running for only 57 episodes from 1966 to 1968, the series hosted an impressive roster of guest talent, many of whom were at the beginning of legendary careers.
Stellar Guest Cast: Appearances included James Earl Jones, Diana Ross and the Supremes (playing nuns), Nichelle Nichols, George Kennedy, and Helen Hayes. Action-Packed Highlights:
"The Deadly Silence": A two-part episode where Tarzan is rendered temporarily deaf by an explosion and must rely on his other senses to defeat a rogue colonel.
"The Ultimate Duel": Features a scientist using a computer to predict and counter every move Tarzan makes.
"The Perils of Charity Jones": A fan-favorite two-parter featuring Julie Harris as a missionary. Ron Ely's Physical Commitment
One of the series' most famous legacies is the physical toll it took on its lead. Ron Ely insisted on performing virtually all of his own stunts, leading to over two dozen major injuries during the two-year production. These included multiple lion bites, broken bones, and two broken shoulders. Where to Find it Today
The Story:
The film stars Ron Ely as Tarzan and Joan Blondell as Jane Porter. The story begins with Tarzan and Jane returning to the jungle after a year in civilization. However, their peaceful life is short-lived, as they soon discover that Jane's estranged father, Archimedes Porter, is in Africa, searching for a valuable treasure.
Archimedes, played by Charles Lane, is a wealthy and eccentric inventor who's determined to find the fabled treasure. He's accompanied by a villainous safari leader, who's only interested in the treasure for personal gain.
As Tarzan and Jane navigate their way through the jungle, they must also contend with the dangers posed by the safari team, a rival group of treasure hunters, and various wild animals.
The Adventure Unfolds:
The story unfolds with Tarzan and Jane facing numerous challenges, including treacherous jungle terrain, ferocious beasts, and confrontations with the rival treasure hunters. Along the way, Tarzan must use his jungle skills to protect Jane and her father, while also navigating his own feelings for Jane.
The film features many of the classic Tarzan elements, including action-packed sequences, exotic jungle settings, and a dash of romance. tarzan 1966 internet archive exclusive
Internet Archive Exclusive:
The 1966 Tarzan film was indeed made available on the Internet Archive, a digital library that provides free access to a wide range of films, books, and music. The film was released as an "Internet Archive Exclusive", making it easily accessible to a new generation of Tarzan fans.
Trivia:
- The film was produced by Burt Balaban and directed by Robert L. Hillmann.
- Ron Ely, the actor who played Tarzan, went on to become a successful author, writing several novels and non-fiction books.
- Joan Blondell, who played Jane, was a veteran actress who appeared in numerous films and TV shows throughout her career.
Overall, the 1966 Tarzan film offers an entertaining and nostalgic take on the classic jungle hero, with plenty of action, adventure, and romance. If you're a fan of Tarzan or classic adventure films, you might enjoy checking it out!
How to Download and Preserve
Because this is an exclusive at risk of removal (rights holders could theoretically change their minds), the Archive encourages preservation.
To legally download the Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive:
- Click the "DOWNLOAD OPTIONS" box on the right side of the page.
- Select "TARZAN_1966_INTERNET_ARCHIVE_EXCLUSIVE.zip" – This contains the MP4 file and the PDF extras.
- Copy to a USB or external drive. This ensures that even if the internet goes dark, the 1966 version of Tarzan survives.
The Verdict
Is Tarzan 1966 a masterpiece? No. The fight choreography is clunky (Riordan moves like a ballet dancer, not a brawler). The jungle sets are obviously shot on a soundstage with visible smoke machines.
But it is a masterpiece of intent.
It predicts the gritty reboots of the 2010s by fifty years. It anticipates the slow cinema movement in its long, wordless observations of nature. It treats the source material as high tragedy, not children's matinee fare.
Thanks to the Internet Archive, this "lost episode" is no longer a rumor whispered between classic TV collectors. It is a streaming reality.
How to watch (before it vanishes):
Go to archive.org and search for “Tarzan 1966 Kinescope Complete” . The file is a 4.2GB MKV. Download it. The stream might be taken down if the Burroughs estate sends a DMCA notice, but the beauty of the Archive is that once it is uploaded to the node network, it never truly dies.
Pour a drink. Turn off the lights. Listen for the drumming in the distance.
The ape man is home.
Have you watched the 1966 Tarzan exclusive? Did you spot the continuity error in the third act involving the hunting knife? Let me know in the comments below. And if you have any leads on the missing second episode, you know where to find me.
The 1966 Tarzan television series, starring Ron Ely, represents a pivotal shift in the portrayal of Edgar Rice Burroughs' iconic jungle hero. Moving away from the monosyllabic "Me Tarzan" trope, this series introduced an educated, articulate Lord Greystoke who chose the jungle over the constraints of civilization. Today, the Internet Archive serves as a vital repository for fans seeking "exclusive" access to this era of television history, housing everything from rare comic strips to the show's original theme music. The Ron Ely Era: A "New Look" for the Legend
Premiering on NBC on September 8, 1966, the series ran for two seasons and 57 episodes. Producer Sy Weintraub sought to modernize the character, stripping away traditional elements like Jane to focus on a rugged, solo adventurer.
The "Intelligent" Tarzan: Unlike earlier film versions, Ely's Tarzan was a well-educated man who returned to the jungle where he was raised, bringing a sense of sophisticated morality to his battles against poachers and corruption. The 1966 Tarzan television series, starring Ron Ely
Physical Authenticity: Ron Ely famously insisted on performing his own stunts. This dedication came at a high cost; during the first season alone, he suffered 17 major injuries, including broken shoulders, fractured ribs, and multiple lion bites.
Lush Locations: The show was initially filmed on location in Brazil before moving production to Mexico, providing a realistic backdrop that set it apart from studio-bound productions of the time. Exploring the Internet Archive "Exclusives"
For enthusiasts, the Internet Archive provides a digital museum of Tarzan lore that is often difficult to find on mainstream streaming platforms: Trivia - Tarzan (TV Series 1966–1968) - IMDb
Internet Archive Tarzan 1966 " exclusive content primarily features a collection of vintage comic strips and old-time radio episodes. The Tarzan (1966) Archive page
hosts a significant 237MB collection of daily and Sunday strips originally published between 1960–1961 and 1966–1969. Available Digital Content Comic Strips (1966–1969)
: Digitized scans of original newspaper strips collected from various preservation sources like The Stripper's Blog The Barnacle Press Old Time Radio (OTR) Episodes
: A separate "Lord of the Jungle" collection includes dozens of individual episodes with titles such as Tarzan and the Decoy Black Gold of Africa Curse of the Pharaohs available for download as MP3s. Historical Context : The 1966 era is notable for the premiere of the Tarzan TV Series , starring as a more sophisticated, educated version of the character. Key Media Details Media Type Description TV Series (1966)
Starring Ron Ely; portrayed Tarzan as a civilised man returning to the jungle.
Spans the mid-to-late 60s, featuring classic adventure storytelling in strip format.
Serialised adventures featuring iconic jungle scenarios and recurring themes. Further Exploration Browse the full collection of Tarzan comics on the Internet Archive for high-resolution scans. Listen to the Old Time Radio singles to experience the audio dramas of the era. Read more about the 1966 TV Series and its unique take on the character on particular artist's run of the comic strips?
Old Comic Strips - Tarzan (1960 - 61, 66 - 69) - Internet Archive 4 Apr 2020 —
The Tarzan 1966 television series, starring Ron Ely, represents a distinct era where the "Lord of the Jungle" was reimagined as a sophisticated, well-educated man who rejected modern civilization to return to the African wild.
While there isn't a single official "Internet Archive exclusive" story, the Internet Archive hosts a treasure trove of rare materials that essentially "write" an exclusive history for fans of the 1966 series: The "Lost" Brazilian Episodes
In this exclusive narrative found through archival records, the series began filming in Brazil before moving to Mexico. You can piece together a story of a "gentleman adventurer" navigating a fictional newly independent African nation, dealing with modern threats like: Illegal diamond thieves and ivory poachers.
High-tech threats, such as a crazed scientist who pits a computer against Tarzan’s life.
Political intrigue, where Tarzan protects young princes from assassins. Exclusive Archival Content
The Internet Archive provides access to specific formats that aren't available on mainstream streaming: The film was produced by Burt Balaban and
Old Comic Strips (1966-1969): You can find a collection of Tarzan comic strips from the exact era of the Ron Ely show, which expanded the lore beyond what was filmed.
"Tarzan and the Trappers": This is a unique 70-minute feature on the Internet Archive re-edited from three episodes of a "never-shown" TV series, providing a rare look at the production styles of that decade.
Old Time Radio Adventures: The archive also holds single episodes of Tarzan radio dramas that maintain the "exclusive" feel of mid-century jungle adventure storytelling. The Story of the "Real" Tarzan (Ron Ely)
A significant part of the 1966 story is the physical toll on actor Ron Ely. Unlike other versions, he performed his own stunts, resulting in over two dozen major injuries during the series' run, including: Two broken shoulders from vine-swinging accidents.
Lion bites and singed limbs from running through burning villages.
amazon.com/tarzan-ron-ely/s?k=tarzan+ron+ely">complete series on DVD?
The "exclusive" you're referring to is most likely the 1966-1968 NBC television series Tarzan, starring Ron Ely. The Internet Archive (archive.org) hosts a significant, fan-preserved collection of this series, which is often considered "exclusive" because:
- It is not on mainstream streaming services (like Disney+, Amazon Prime, or Hulu) due to complex rights issues (then owned by Banner Productions, now split between Warner Bros. and other entities).
- The Archive's copies are often from rare 16mm syndication prints, including original network bumpers, commercial breaks, and episode titles missing from later VHS/DVD releases.
What the "Exclusive Feature" includes:
- All 57 episodes from the 1966–1968 seasons (2 seasons).
- Original, unedited runtime (~50 min per episode vs. edited 45 min syndication cuts).
- Occasional "lost" content – e.g., the unaired pilot, alternate scenes, and the original NBC color broadcast openings.
Key details of the 1966 Tarzan series:
- Star: Ron Ely (the only actor to perform his own stunts, including real fights with lions and chimpanzees).
- Co-star: Manuel Padilla Jr. as Jai (replacing Boy).
- Filmed on location in Brazil and Mexico (not a soundstage).
- Theme song composed by Nelson Riddle.
How to access it on Internet Archive:
- Go to
archive.org - Search:
"Tarzan 1966" Ron Ely - Look for uploads by users like "Tarzanfan1966" or "TVClassics" – these are the "exclusive" preservation sets.
- Note: Files are typically MP4 or MKV, downloadable or streamable.
Is it legal?
The Internet Archive hosts these as preservation copies of orphaned works (no clear active copyright holder pursuing distribution). However, technically, the series is still under copyright. The Archive responds to DMCA takedowns, but the 1966 Tarzan has largely remained untouched due to its "abandoned" commercial status.
If you need a direct link to the specific exclusive feature (e.g., a remastered episode or a behind-the-scenes special also only on Archive), please provide any additional text from the page or the exact collection name.
DOWNLOAD OPTIONS
| Format | Size | Best for | |--------|------|----------| | Single episodes (MP4) | ~900 MB each | Streaming or selective download | | Full season 1 (ZIP) | 24 GB | Complete bingeing | | Full season 2 (ZIP) | 23 GB | Complete bingeing | | Bonus materials (ZIP) | 1.2 GB | Press kits, audio, PDFs | | Torrent | 47 GB (All) | Peer-to-peer preservation |
Stream directly in browser: Use the "Play All" button above.
Structure
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Total marks: 100
- Question types: Short answer, source analysis, comparative essay, and research/ethics brief.
Comparison: Streaming vs. The Archive Exclusive
Why not just watch a low-res upload on YouTube? Let’s compare:
| Feature | YouTube Bootleg | Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Resolution | 360p - 480p (upscaled) | True 1080p (from 16mm) | | Run Time | 85 minutes (TV cut) | 88 minutes (Uncut theatrical) | | Audio | Mono, compressed | 2.0 LPCM (Lossless) | | Extras | None | Press kit, Radio interview, Alternate dubs | | Cost | Free (with ads) | Free (No ads, Public library model) |
Uncovering the Ape Man: Why the “Tarzan 1966” Internet Archive Exclusive is a Must-See Lost Gem
There is a specific, almost magical thrill that comes from scrolling through the Internet Archive. It’s the digital equivalent of finding a dusty film canister in a condemned theater basement. You sift through grainy government PSAs, corrupted shareware games, and a thousand copies of Night of the Living Dead—and then, you find it. The thing you weren’t supposed to see.
For me, that moment arrived last Tuesday at 2:00 AM. I stumbled upon a listing that made me spill my coffee: “Tarzan 1966 – Complete Uncut Broadcast (Kinescope).”
For decades, the 1966 iteration of the Lord of the Apes has been the "Dark Continent" of Tarzan lore. Lost. Ignored. Actively erased by the estate. But thanks to a user simply named "CelluloidGhost," the holy grail is now an Internet Archive exclusive—and it changes everything we thought we knew about the franchise.
