Michael_Elliott Tarzan the Magnificent (1960) *** (out of 4) Tarzan (Gordon Scott) must try and escort criminal Coy Banton (Jock Mahoney) and a group of people through the jungle to try and turn him over to authorities. Not only is Tarzan forced to drag these people through the dangerous jungle but he also has to deal with Banton's crazy father (John Carradine) and brothers who plan on getting him back. This was the sixth and final time that Scott would play Tarzan and this is clearly the best of his pictures and I'd probably say that overall this is the best Tarzan film since TARZAN AND HIS MATE. This film pretty much has everything you'd hope for in a Tarzan movie and that includes action, drama, a strong story, a terrific setting, great villains and of course of strong Tarzan. Scott was clearly in charge here as he delivers a wonderful performance as the ape man. There's no question that his physical ability was fine for the role but he also managed to make Tarzan a human and pull off the actual performance. As was the case in the previous film, this one here features a terrific supporting cast. Mahoney, who would take over the role of Tarzan in the next film, is perfect as the bad guy. What's so great about Mahoney is the way he really doesn't say much but instead you can see his evil thoughts simply by looking into his eyes. The two large men are perfectly matched against one another and especially the end sequence, which ranks among one of the best fight scenes of the series. Carradine is terrific as always playing the cold-blooded father and we also get strong support from Betta St. John, Lionel Jeffries, Alexandra Stewart and Earl Cameron. The final line from the opening credits lets viewers know that this film was shot in Africa and the on location shooting certainly helped build up some terrific atmosphere. The jungle looks really good and the various wild life really helps bring this film to life. The entire film is pretty much a chase sequence because we have Tarzan trying to get these people through the jungle with one issue coming up after another and on top of all of this he has to deal with the crazy family following. The action scenes are extremely well done and I'd say they're some of the most suspenseful of the series. This is especially true during a scene where Tarzan and Coy fall into some quicksand and must struggle to get out. TARZAN THE MAGNIFICENT is without question one of the best films in the series and even those non-fans should be able to enjoy this one.

ewarn-1 I'm writing this a few days after Gordon Scott's life has come to an end, so this review is a tribute to his life and career , especially his characterization as Tarzan, which many consider the best ever brought to the screen. Gordon Scott had a great screen presence as well as underrated acting abilities, and we really need more of his films released on DVD."Tarzan the Magnificent" is his last Tarzan film, I think, and it was released in 1960, right after "Tarzan's Greatest Adventure" which I consider the best Tarzan film ever made. This film is not as good as that one, though it comes close, therefore coming in as the second best Tarzan film ever made. In any case, Gordon Scott again does a fantastic job portraying the ape man. I think he was the only one who convinced me that physically he could take on lions and crocodiles as well as Sean Connery.The plot of this movie is basically the same as "Greatest Adventure." Tarzan pursues and battles a gang of jungle crooks. (What the hell are backwoods moonshiners doing in Africa anyway?) Here there is a psychological angle as well as slam bang action. The location photography is great too. The ending is a little too similar to the last outing, but hard hitting just the same.Gordon, wherever you are, thanks for the great entertainment!

marciodecarvalho Along with 'Tarzan's Greatest Adventure', I rate this one as the best Tarzan movie of all times. Both of them are quite an improvement over the black&whites from the 30's and 40's (yes, Johnny Weissmuller was a hell of a Tarzan himself, no doubt, and did great movies, but times have changed quite a bit). Tarzan is an adult character now, aiming adult audiences, in these last two Gordon Scott's appearances. He is articulate, and as straight as he can be. No Janes, no Boys, no funny chimps around. This is a bloody, violent, dark, adult movie. This is a violent, dark new Tarzan. I only regret this wonderful new bias - and the mighty, definitive, impressive Tarzan Gordon Scott was - had no continuity. Later on, we were back to the tired lightweight Tarzans, oh-hum adventures, and here are our good friends, the chimps, goofing around again. Pity.

Nazi_Fighter_David In 1959, producer Sy Weintraub took the series... He decided he had to get adults (particularly women), interested in Tarzan... So 'out' went Jane and with her the safaris and the fighting of crocodiles... Weintraub was convinced of the need of new ideas to improve Tarzan's image... Tarzan becomes a good shooter and also articulate, speaking, clearly and distinctly, in complete sentences, displaying few of the primitive characteristics of the Weismuller version..."Tarzan the Magnificent" chronicles Tarzan's treacherous journey through the jungle to the authorities with his prisoner, Coy Banton (Jock Mahoney). They took off on foot when the river boat they were going to take is blown up by Coy's father, Abel (John Carradine) and brothers, Martin (Al Mulock), Johnny (Gary Cockrell), and Ethan (Ron MacDonnell)... Five of the boat's passengers—Tate, a Black engineer (Earl Cameron), Ames (Lionel Jeffries), his wife Fay (Betta St. John), Conway (Charles Tingwell), and Laurie (Alexandra Stewart)—all had such good reasons to go with Tarzan that he couldn't refuse... Thus impeded, Tarzan set off the Bantons at his heels...As in "Tarzan's Greatest Adventure," Jane is left out and Tarzan had no romantic involvement... Happily, Cheetah's role is all but eliminated again...The most rare thing about "Tarzan the Magnificent," is the absence of the Tarzan famous yell for the first time since sound movies... Considering the widespread use of the ape-call for laughs—entertainment as giving in variety shows, the producer acted wisely...Gordon Scott, probably one of the best screen Tarzan, reappeared in Rome in a couple of Italian spectaculars, "Duel of the Titans," with Steve Reeves, and "Samson and the 7 Miracles of the World." Many others, like "Goliath and the Vampires," with Jack Sernas, followed...Becoming quite a sensation in Europe, he made a start on a second acting career there and was last seen in an Italian Western, "The Tramplers," with Joseph Cotten as the domineering father...Ironically, villain Jock Mahoney, would take over the lead role from Scott as the 13th Tarzan in MGM's "Tarzan Goes to India," in 1962...