Tarzan's Greatest Adventure (1959)

When a peaceful village is raided by white diamond hunters disguised as African natives and several people killed, it is up to Tarzan (Gordon Scott in a surprisingly effective performance) to track them down and bring them to jungle justice. Directed by John Guillermin (THE TOWERING INFERNO), this is a candidate for the best Tarzan movie ever made. Beautifully shot on location in Kenya (instead of the usual studio sound stages) by Ted Scaife (THE DIRTY DOZEN), this is a Tarzan movie with grown up tastes. Scott's Tarzan doesn't speak broken English but is intelligent and articulate (not unlike the Tarzan of the Edgar Rice Burroghs novels). The film has a strong if often violent narrative. There is no Jane but the film's leading woman Sara Shane (THE KING AND FOUR QUEENS) is an independent and feisty professional pilot and her relationship with Tarzan isn't simplistic and when they part at the end, there's genuine regret on both sides. The quality of the acting is superior than most Tarzan movies. The trio of villains are played by fine actors like Sean Connery, Anthony Quayle and Niall MacGinnis who bring shading and life to their characters. It's not dumbed down and the African American natives are not reduced to stereotypes. The final battle to the death between Scott and Quayle generates genuine tension and excitement. With Scilla Gabel and Al Mulock.