Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure 1959
Directed by
John Guillermin
Made by
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Under the cover of night, the African village of Mantu is raided for its dynamite, and the village doctor and radio operator are fatally shot. Before dying, the operator gasps,
Slade
over the shortwave radio.
The next morning, Tarzan, Gordon Scott, is awakened by drums that signal trouble. He leaves his treehouse and arrives at Mantu, where a funeral is being held for the fallen villagers. A police inspector informs Tarzan of the raid, and he sets out by canoe to catch his old nemesis Slade, Anthony Quayle, and his gang of raiders. Along the way, a small plane taunts Tarzan with low flyovers. But the engine stalls, and the aircraft crashes, dumping an American ex-fashion model, Angie, Sara Shane, into the river. Unwilling to abandon her, Tarzan brings Angie to the hunt.
Meanwhile, Slade and his quartet of thieves are just miles ahead, traveling by riverboat toward a secret diamond mine where they will use the stolen dynamite to excavate gems. When their boat malfunctions, the thieves begin to quarrel among themselves. One of them leaves the boat and later drowns in quicksand; another dies when Tarzan, who has now caught up with the raiders, nails him with a bow and arrow. Tarzan is wounded, and Angie tends to his wounds. She attempts to steal medical supplies from Slade’s boat but is captured. Slade uses her to lure Tarzan into a trap, but the ploy fails, costing the life of another accomplice. Only Slade and a single ally, Kreiger, survive.
There is no honor among thieves, as Kreiger demonstrates when he tries to kill Slade after they reach the mine. Slade retaliates, and when Kreiger offers him all the diamonds if he lets him go, Slade remains unmoved and kills Kreiger. Back on the river, Tarzan is nursed back to health by Angie. He continues his quest to capture Slade, much to her displeasure. Tarzan thanks Angie for her help, and Tarzan, Gordon Scott, continues his pursuit toward a final confrontation with Slade.
High atop a river bluff, Slade fires rifle shots at Tarzan, who reaches him despite the gunfire. At first Slade gains the upper hand by lassoing Tarzan with a wire noose. However, Tarzan’s strength and endurance win out, and he pushes Slade over the cliff onto the rocks below. Tarzan then travels back upriver to Mantu and his treehouse.
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Night raid on Mantu
The village of Mantu is raided under cover of darkness as thieves steal dynamite. The village doctor and the radio operator rush to stop them but are fatally shot. Before dying, the operator gasps 'Slade' over the shortwave radio, revealing the mastermind behind the attack.
Tarzan learns of the raid at dawn
Tarzan is awakened by drums signaling trouble. He leaves his treehouse and arrives at Mantu to find a funeral underway for the slain villagers, setting a somber tone for the pursuit ahead.
Inspector briefs Tarzan
A police inspector informs Tarzan about the raid and points him toward Slade and his gang. Tarzan resolves to track down the raiders and bring them to justice.
Pursuit begins; plane distraction
Tarzan departs by canoe to chase Slade. A small plane circles and taunts him with low flyovers, but its engine stalls and crashes, dumping Angie, an American ex-fashion model, into the river.
Angie joins the chase
Reluctant to abandon her, Tarzan ferries Angie and her belongings along as they continue toward Slade's hideout. Angie becomes an unexpected ally in the perilous pursuit.
Slade's riverboat to the mine
Slade and his quartet travel by riverboat toward a secret diamond mine, intending to use the stolen dynamite to excavate the gems. The crew remains suspicious of one another as they press on.
Boat malfunctions and a death
Their riverboat malfunctions, triggering distrust among the thieves. One man abandons the boat and later drowns in quicksand, signaling the danger that lies ahead in the treacherous river route.
Tarzan closes in; ambushed ally wounded
Tarzan catches up to the raiders and nails a fellow thief with a bow and arrow, but the fight leaves him injured. Angie steps in to tend his wounds, deepening their uneasy partnership.
Angie captured and used as bait
Angie tries to steal medical supplies from Slade's boat and is captured. Slade uses her as bait to lure Tarzan into a trap, a ploy that costs the life of another accomplice when it fails.
Kreiger's fate; betrayal in the mine
Only Slade and the ex-Nazi Kreiger remain as the mine nears. Kreiger offers Slade all his diamonds for release, but Slade coldly kills Kreiger rather than bargaining, underscoring their ruthlessness.
Tarzan heals and persists
Nursed back to health by Angie, Tarzan recovers and renews his pursuit of Slade. The growing bond between Tarzan and Angie drives their shared determination to stop the thieves.
Final showdown on the river bluff
In a climactic confrontation, Slade fires at Tarzan from a river bluff. Tarzan resists a wire noose and, through sheer strength and endurance, pushes Slade off the cliff onto the rocks below.
Tarzan returns to Mantu
Having defeated Slade, Tarzan makes his way back upriver to Mantu and his treehouse, ending the pursuit and returning to his home among the trees. The villagers welcome him back as the danger has passed.
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Characters
Explore all characters from Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Tarzan (Gordon Scott)
Tarzan is a formidable jungle guardian, calm under pressure and driven by a strong sense of justice. He tracks Slade across river and rainforest, using endurance and skill with bow and arrow to survive. His resolve and resourcefulness carry him through every danger as he fights to bring the criminals to justice.
Angie (Sara Shane)
Angie is an American ex-fashion model who survives a plane crash and becomes an unlikely ally. She is initially wary of Tarzan but grows into a capable partner, tending his wounds and aiding in battles against Slade's crew. Her resilience and practicality help tilt the odds in Tarzan's favor.
Slade (Anthony Quayle)
Slade is Tarzan's old nemesis, a ruthless raider who leads a quartet of thieves toward a secret diamond mine. He is cruel, cunning, and unmoved by mercy, willing to kill for progress and to manipulate others to reach his goal.
Kreiger (Niall MacGinnis)
Kreiger is an ex-Nazi among Slade's crew, driven by self-preservation and greed. He schemes to betray Slade for his own gain, but his plan backfires as betrayal mounts in the mine and river sequences. His final fate underscores the danger of treachery.
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Settings
Learn where and when Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Location
Mantu, Africa
Mantu is a remote African village set beside dense jungle and a winding river. The community mourns after a raid that claims villagers and leaves the area tense and dangerous. Tarzan follows the raiders upstream by canoe, moving through jungle terrain toward a hidden diamond mine. The setting blends untamed wilderness with frontier outposts under the threat of violence.
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Themes
Discover the main themes in Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
🎯
Pursuit
Tarzan's relentless pursuit of Slade drives the action, pushing him through river chases, jungle ambushes, and perilous confrontations. The pursuit tests his stamina, resourcefulness, and unwavering commitment to justice. Each setback raises the stakes until the final showdown.
🤝
Alliance
An unlikely partnership forms between Tarzan and Angie as they face danger together. Their alliance blends Tarzan's physical prowess with Angie's street-smarts and courage. The bond deepens through shared risk and determination to stop the raiders.
💎
Greed
The stolen dynamite and diamonds drive the criminals' ruthless actions. Slade and Kreiger reveal how greed erodes loyalty, leading to betrayals and deaths. The danger of greed mirrors the film's moral peril and violence.
💪
Courage
Tarzan endures injuries and brutal conditions, pressing on with resilience and skill. He relies on jungle know-how and physical strength to outmaneuver enemies. Courage becomes the practical force that defeats threats and protects the vulnerable.
Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In the dense heart of the African jungle, a remote settlement clings to the edge of a verdant river, its rhythm defined by the calls of wildlife and the steady hum of everyday survival. The canopy filters sunlight into a tapestry of gold and shadow, while the surrounding wilderness feels both timeless and teeming with unseen currents of danger. This hidden world carries a fragile peace, a delicate balance between human habitations and the untamed forces that surround them.
At the center of this wilderness stands Tarzan, the legendary guardian who has made the trees his home and the creatures his kin. Raised among apes and honed by the sheer physicality of his environment, he embodies a raw, primal strength tempered by a deep respect for the land he protects. His presence is a constant reminder that the jungle is not merely a backdrop but a living entity with its own laws—laws that he enforces with quiet authority and an unspoken bond to every leaf and riverbank.
When a band of foreign prospectors arrives, drawn by the promise of untapped riches, the equilibrium begins to shift. Their presence introduces a stark contrast: the clatter of industrial ambition against the whisper of the wild. The prospectors’ search for resources threatens to disturb the delicate harmony, casting a looming shadow over the village and the surrounding forest. As tension thickens, Tarzan feels the pull of his ancient duty, compelled to confront the encroaching threat before it can scar the land he calls home.
The film unfolds with a tone that blends sweeping adventure and brooding suspense, inviting the audience to feel the pulse of the jungle and the weight of responsibility that rests on Tarzan’s shoulders. Every rustle, every distant drumbeat hints at an unseen confrontation, leaving the viewer poised between the serenity of untouched nature and the inevitable clash that looms on the horizon.
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