Tarzan: The Epic Adventures
Encyclopedia
Tarzan: The Epic Adventures is a syndicated series that aired for one season (1996
–1997). It focuses on the character of Tarzan
in his early years, after his first exposure to civilization, but before his marriage to Jane Porter
. The series uses much of the mythology of Edgar Rice Burroughs
' books as background material.
This version of Tarzan was filmed in the Sun City
resort in South Africa
, making it one of the few Tarzan productions to actually film on that continent.
The character of Nicholas Rokoff, and the fact that Tarzan is not yet married, set this series in-between the two halves of The Return of Tarzan
.
R. A. Salvatore wrote an authorized Tarzan novel based on pilot script which was published as a trade-paperback in 1996, and a mass-market paperback in 1997.
As of 2010, it is one of only three such authorized Tarzan novels, being preceded by Fritz Leiber
's Tarzan and the Valley of Gold novelization, and followed by Philip Jose Farmer
's 1999 the Dark Heart of Time
.
Nikolas Rokoff—Tarzan's nemesis from the first half of The Return of Tarzan
—has a stolen crystal amulet with mystical power. The crystal can open gateways to the savage land of Pellucidar
, and in so doing allows reptilian humanoids known as Mahars to attack the surface world. Tarzan therefore has to stop not only Rokoff; but Mora, the Queen of the Mahars as well.
1996 in television
The year 1996 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1996.For the American TV schedule, see: 1996-97 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1950s:...
–1997). It focuses on the character of Tarzan
Tarzan
Tarzan is a fictional character, an archetypal feral child raised in the African jungles by the Mangani "great apes"; he later experiences civilization only to largely reject it and return to the wild as a heroic adventurer...
in his early years, after his first exposure to civilization, but before his marriage to Jane Porter
Jane Porter (Tarzan)
Jane Porter is a major character in Edgar Rice Burroughs's series of Tarzan novels, and in adaptations of the saga to other media, particularly film.- In the novels :...
. The series uses much of the mythology of Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic Mars adventurer John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.-Biography:...
' books as background material.
This version of Tarzan was filmed in the Sun City
Sun City, North West
Sun City is a luxury casino and resort, situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It is located about two hours' drive from Johannesburg, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.- History :...
resort in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, making it one of the few Tarzan productions to actually film on that continent.
The character of Nicholas Rokoff, and the fact that Tarzan is not yet married, set this series in-between the two halves of The Return of Tarzan
The Return of Tarzan
The Return of Tarzan is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the second in his series of books about the title character Tarzan. It was first published in the pulp magazine New Story Magazine in the issues for June through December 1913; the first book edition was published in 1915 by A. C....
.
R. A. Salvatore wrote an authorized Tarzan novel based on pilot script which was published as a trade-paperback in 1996, and a mass-market paperback in 1997.
Cast
- Joe LaraJoe LaraWilliam Joseph Lara is an American actor and musician, best known in the role of Tarzan in the American TV series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures.-Career:...
as Tarzan/John Clayton - Aaron Seville as Timba
- Lydie DenierLydie DenierLydie Denier is a model and actress. She has appeared in several roles in numerous TV series and films.-Biography:...
as Olga de Coude - Andrew DivoffAndrew DivoffAndrew Daniel Divoff is a Venezuelan film and television actor, best known for playing the evil Djinn in the two first Wishmaster films and the villains Cherry Ganz in Another 48 Hrs., Boris Bazylev in Air Force One, Ivan Sarnoff in CSI: Miami and Mikhail Bakunin in Lost.- Early life :Divoff was...
as Nicholas Rokoff - Dennis ChristopherDennis ChristopherDennis Christopher is an American actor. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is known for playing Dave Stoller in Breaking Away and tragic film buff psychopath Eric Binford in Fade to Black....
as Paul D’Arnot - Ralph WilcoxRalph Wilcox (actor)Ralph Wilcox is an African American actor born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who has appeared in movies and television shows dating back to the 70's. Some of his most memorable roles include "Jammin' Jim" Jenkins on the Emerald Cove segments of The Mickey Mouse Club, Mason Freeman in seaQuest 2032 and...
as Mugambi
Episode list
Pilot. "Tarzan's Return" (two-hour)- "Tarzan and the Leopard Woman"
- "Tarzan and the Lost Legion"
- "Tarzan and the Scarlet Diamond"
- "Tarzan and the Black Orchid"
- "Tarzan and the Reflections in an Evil Eye"
- "Tarzan and the Priestess of Opar"
- "Tarzan and the Fury of the Zadu"
- "Tarzan and the Revenge of Zimpala"
- "Tarzan and the Return of KuKulcan"
- "Tarzan and the White Pebble"
- "Tarzan and the Moon God"
- "Tarzan and the Forbidden City"
- "Tarzan and the Leopard Demon"
- "Tarzan and the Demon Within"
- "Tarzan and the Mahars"
- "Tarzan and the Amtorans"
- "Tarzan and the Beast of Dunali"
- "Tarzan and the Shadow of Anger"
- "Tarzan and the Mystery of the Lake"
- "Tarzan and the Circus Hunter"
Other Tarzans
- Joe LaraJoe LaraWilliam Joseph Lara is an American actor and musician, best known in the role of Tarzan in the American TV series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures.-Career:...
also played Tarzan in the—otherwise unrelated—CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television movie Tarzan in ManhattanTarzan in ManhattanTarzan in Manhattan is an action adventure CBS television movie. Joe Lara portrays Tarzan, and Kim Crosby appears as Jane Porter. Tony Curtis and Jan Michael Vincent co-star. The telefilm was produced by Max A. Keller, Micheline H...
. - Lydie DenierLydie DenierLydie Denier is a model and actress. She has appeared in several roles in numerous TV series and films.-Biography:...
played Jane PorterJane Porter (Tarzan)Jane Porter is a major character in Edgar Rice Burroughs's series of Tarzan novels, and in adaptations of the saga to other media, particularly film.- In the novels :...
in the earlier series, TarzánTarzánTarzán was a half-hour syndicated series that aired 1991–1994. In this version of the show, Tarzan was portrayed as a blond environmentalist, with Jane turned into a French ecologist....
.
Novel
R. A. Salvatore wrote an authorized Tarzan novel based on pilot script which was published as a trade-paperback in 1996, and a mass-market paperback in 1997.As of 2010, it is one of only three such authorized Tarzan novels, being preceded by Fritz Leiber
Fritz Leiber
Fritz Reuter Leiber, Jr. was an American writer of fantasy, horror and science fiction. He was also a poet, actor in theatre and films, playwright, expert chess player and a champion fencer. Possibly his greatest chess accomplishment was winning clear first in the 1958 Santa Monica Open.. With...
's Tarzan and the Valley of Gold novelization, and followed by Philip Jose Farmer
Philip José Farmer
Philip José Farmer was an American author, principally known for his award-winning science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories....
's 1999 the Dark Heart of Time
The Dark Heart of Time
The Dark Heart of Time: a Tarzan novel is a 1999 work by Philip José Farmer authorized by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. The book was first announced under the title Tarzan's Greatest Secret in 1997....
.
Nikolas Rokoff—Tarzan's nemesis from the first half of The Return of Tarzan
The Return of Tarzan
The Return of Tarzan is a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the second in his series of books about the title character Tarzan. It was first published in the pulp magazine New Story Magazine in the issues for June through December 1913; the first book edition was published in 1915 by A. C....
—has a stolen crystal amulet with mystical power. The crystal can open gateways to the savage land of Pellucidar
Pellucidar
Pellucidar is a fictional Hollow Earth milieu invented by Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs for a series of action adventure stories. In a notable crossover event between Burroughs' series, there is a Tarzan story in which the Ape Man travels into Pellucidar.The stories initially involve the...
, and in so doing allows reptilian humanoids known as Mahars to attack the surface world. Tarzan therefore has to stop not only Rokoff; but Mora, the Queen of the Mahars as well.