The fifth in the series of Gordon Scott-starring Tarzan films and a fun little programmer for the fans – although those looking for anything other than a straightforward, surprise-free action/adventure will be disappointed. TARZAN'S GREATEST ADVENTURE sets out with a horrible crime, and for the rest of the film has Tarzan on the track of those who committed the said crime, gradually whittling their numbers down one by one. The action scenes are a lot of fun, especially the clifftop climax.
This is obviously a film aimed at the kids, because the characters are paper-thin. Introductions are kept to a minimum and loyalties are sketched in purely black-and-white turns. Indeed, the only actor who gives what can be called a real performance is Anthony Quayle, playing the big villain who has some kind of a grudge against our jungle-dwelling hero. Gordon Scott, well-oiled in this role by now, is likable and athletic, the only qualities that are really required for playing the titular hero.
The supporting cast is more interesting than you'd expect in a typical B-movie. The fat German bad guy is played by Niall MacGinnis, the nasty black wizard from NIGHT OF THE DEMON, while another of the crooks is played by a pre-fame Sean Connery (displaying the kind of screen presence that led him on to burn up the screen as Bond). Yet another bad guy, Al Mulock, appeared in a series of spaghetti westerns before committing suicide while filming ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Sara Shane is the blonde pin-up love interest, although I preferred the bad girl, played by Italian temptress Scilla Gabel (MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN). Director John Guillermin later found fame with his classic disaster movie, THE TOWERING INFERNO. Not bad resumes for most of the actors appearing in this!
This is obviously a film aimed at the kids, because the characters are paper-thin. Introductions are kept to a minimum and loyalties are sketched in purely black-and-white turns. Indeed, the only actor who gives what can be called a real performance is Anthony Quayle, playing the big villain who has some kind of a grudge against our jungle-dwelling hero. Gordon Scott, well-oiled in this role by now, is likable and athletic, the only qualities that are really required for playing the titular hero.
The supporting cast is more interesting than you'd expect in a typical B-movie. The fat German bad guy is played by Niall MacGinnis, the nasty black wizard from NIGHT OF THE DEMON, while another of the crooks is played by a pre-fame Sean Connery (displaying the kind of screen presence that led him on to burn up the screen as Bond). Yet another bad guy, Al Mulock, appeared in a series of spaghetti westerns before committing suicide while filming ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Sara Shane is the blonde pin-up love interest, although I preferred the bad girl, played by Italian temptress Scilla Gabel (MILL OF THE STONE WOMEN). Director John Guillermin later found fame with his classic disaster movie, THE TOWERING INFERNO. Not bad resumes for most of the actors appearing in this!