Premiering in September 1966, this series arrived at a time when studios were pivoting from the theatrical serials of the 1940s to full-color television adventures. Ron Ely took over the mantle from the iconic Johnny Weissmuller, offering a distinctly different interpretation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' character.
Unlike the monosyllabic "Me Tarzan, You Jane" portrayal of previous decades, Ely’s Tarzan was articulate, educated, and sophisticated. The series retained the physical prowess audiences expected—Ely performed many of his own stunts, resulting in a production plagued by injuries—but it added a layer of intellectual depth. This Tarzan was a problem solver, an environmentalist before the term was popular, and a diplomat between the civilized world and the wild.
★★★★★ "Better than any Tarzan movie. Ron Ely was a beast – literally doing his own cliff dives. The jungle looks real because IT IS real." – JungleTracker
★★★★☆ "The commercial breaks are a time capsule. One minute Tarzan is fighting a leopard, next a lady is selling margarine in pearls. Glorious." – AnalogKid1969
★★★★★ "My dad watched this as a kid. We watched Episode 6 together before he passed. Thank you for preserving this." – FamilyHistoryArchivist
Choose one prompt and write a focused essay (700–900 words).
Option 1: Compare the 1966 Tarzan item to an earlier (1930s–1940s) Tarzan film: discuss changes in portrayal of Tarzan, colonial/race themes, production values, and audience expectations.
Option 2: Compare the 1966 Tarzan item to a later (1980s–1990s) Tarzan adaptation: analyze shifts in narrative, special effects, and approaches to sensitivity around race and gender.
Marking criteria: thesis clarity (6), use of primary/secondary evidence (8), critical analysis (8), organization and prose (4), citations and archival awareness (4).
Episode 1: "Eyes of the Lion" (Pilot) Original Airdate: September 8, 1966 Tarzan rescues a downed American pilot from a renegade army unit, only to discover the pilot’s secret mission to extract a rare mineral. Features Ron Ely’s first vine swing – performed without a double. tarzan 1966 internet archive exclusive
Episode 2: "The Ultimate Weapon" September 15, 1966 A poacher uses a high-frequency sound device to drive elephants into a killing zone. Tarzan must ally with a disillusioned former big-game hunter to destroy the machine.
Episode 3: "The Three Faces of Death" September 22, 1966 A mysterious plague sweeps through a village, and Tarzan races to find an antidote while fending off a superstitious witch doctor who blames the "white ape-man."
Episode 4: "A Pride of Assassins" September 29, 1966 A deposed African dictator hires a team of international mercenaries to hunt Tarzan for his head. Notable for a 10-minute fight sequence on a rope bridge.
Episode 5: "The Golden Run" October 6, 1966 Tarzan protects a young boy who is the last surviving witness to a gold shipment robbery. Features extensive location shooting at Mexican waterfalls.
Episode 6: "The Blue Stone of Heaven" (Fan favorite) October 13, 1966 A lost Portuguese explorer’s journal leads Tarzan and Jai (his young ward) to a hidden cave painting that may predict a solar eclipse. The episode’s climax was filmed during an actual eclipse.
Episode 7: "The Prisoner" October 20, 1966 Tarzan is captured by a corrupt colonial official and forced to lead a safari into cannibal territory. Ron Ely performed his own shackle-breaking stunt.
Episode 8: "The Deadly Silence" October 27, 1966 After a head injury, Tarzan loses his ability to communicate with animals. Cheetah must lead a rescue when a leopard stalks Jai.
Episode 9: "Track of the Dinosaur" November 3, 1966 A hoax involving a "living fossil" attracts a thrill-seeking American millionaire. Tarzan exposes the fraud while saving the man from real jungle predators.
Episode 10: "The End of the World" November 10, 1966 A volcanic eruption threatens to destroy a native village. Tarzan must evacuate villagers while battling a rogue geologist who wants to trigger the blast for mineral rights. Premiering in September 1966, this series arrived at
The availability of Tarzan (1966) on the Internet Archive is more than just free content; it is a case study in media accessibility. Without the efforts of digital archivists and uploaders, series like this risk fading into obscurity, remembered only by those who watched them during their original broadcast.
For a new generation, the Internet Archive offers the only viable gateway to meet Ron Ely’s Tarzan. It serves as a reminder that the "Jungle Lord" has evolved over the decades, and that the internet, in its archival capacity, remains the best place to keep that history alive.
Whether you are a completist of vintage TV or simply curious about the actor who brought a literate Tarzan to life, the Internet Archive offers an exclusive, unfiltered ticket back to the jungle.
Looking to swing into some classic TV history? The 1966 Tarzan series
is a total standout—it was the first time the character was filmed in his actual jungle element (Brazil and Mexico) rather than a studio backlot.
Here are a few ways you can frame an "exclusive" post for the Internet Archive find: Option 1: The "Nostalgia Trip" (Best for Facebook/Groups) Headline: The Jungle King as He Was Meant to Be! 🌿 Huge news for classic TV fans! The 1966 Tarzan
series starring the legendary Ron Ely is now streaming on the Internet Archive. Forget the soundstages—this was filmed on location, captures the grit of the original novels, and features some of the best stunt work of the era.
Check out this "exclusive" digital preservation of a 60s icon. Who remembers watching this on NBC? [Link to Archive]
#ClassicTV #Tarzan1966 #RonEly #JungleVibes #InternetArchive ★★★★★ "Better than any Tarzan movie
Option 2: The "Collector’s Scoop" (Best for Reddit/Forums)
Post Title: Rare Find: Tarzan (1966) Series Digital Preservation via Internet Archive
For those tracking down high-quality or complete runs of the Ron Ely Tarzan
, an "exclusive" set has surfaced on the Internet Archive. This 1966-1968 run is often hard to find in its unedited broadcast format.
This version keeps the 60s charm intact—perfect for archivists and fans of pulp adventure. Dive into the 57-episode run before it’s buried in the jungle again! Option 3: The "Short & Punchy" (Best for X/Twitter) Jungle Alert!
The 1966 #Tarzan TV series (Ron Ely) has a new home on the Internet Archive. Rare, rugged, and ready to binge. If you love classic adventure, this is an essential "exclusive" look at TV history. 🔗 [Link] #RetroTV #1960s #InternetArchive #Tarzan
Since the Internet Archive relies on user uploads, make sure to double-check if the specific upload you're linking to includes the pilot episode behind-the-scenes
clips, as those are usually what fans consider the true "exclusive" gems! write a specific caption for a certain platform, or are you looking for the direct link to the collection?
This material is presented for non-commercial, educational, and preservation purposes under the Internet Archive’s guidelines. The 1966 Tarzan television series is the property of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and NBCUniversal. No copyright infringement is intended. This archive copy is made available because the series has not been officially released on DVD or streaming in unaltered, complete form since 2003.
If you are a rights holder and object to this listing, please contact us for immediate review.
| Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Series Run | September 8, 1966 – April 5, 1968 | | Network | NBC (National Broadcasting Company) | | Production Company | Banner Productions / Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. | | Format | MPEG-4 (H.264), 480p (4:3 aspect ratio) | | Audio | Mono (AAC, 128 kbps) | | Runtime | Approx. 50–52 minutes per episode (no cuts) | | Language | English (Original broadcast audio) | | Subtitles | English .SRT (fan-generated, verified) | | Scan Source | 16mm kinescopes and syndication prints | | Restoration Notes | Light noise reduction, frame stabilization, original grain preserved |