Tarzan, aux sources du mythe

The literary creation of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan first appeared in 1912 in an American magazine and quickly became an icon of 20^th century pop culture. Although extremely popular with audiences, this classic superhero has also been the source of great controversy and criticism, especially for the stereotypical view of Africa and its ​“natives” that the comics promoted; not to mention for the scantily clad, erotic versions of Tarzan and Jane played by actors Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O’Sullivan and the ensuing uproar in Hollywood. Deemed too violent and harmful for younger readers, future screen depictions of Tarzan met with censorship, and the comic strips with a publication ban. But despite the heated debates surrounding the character, themes such as cruelty to animals, colonialism, slavery, and society’s morals were also addressed in the stories. This documentary throws new light on the evolution of the character of Tarzan and the countless media incarnations that have guaranteed his longevity and his place in cultural heritage.