The 1966 Tarzan television series, starring , remains a landmark adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' iconic character. Unlike many earlier film versions, this series introduced a sophisticated, articulate Tarzan—an educated man who chose to return to his jungle roots after growing weary of civilization. Today, fans and historians frequently turn to the Internet Archive to preserve and relive this "modernized" take on the Lord of the Jungle. The "New Look" of 1966 Tarzan
Old Comic Strips - Tarzan (1960 - 61, 66 - 69) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. Tarzan page 1 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming
What makes the unique is its star: Ron Ely . Unlike the vine-swinging, grammatically broken portrayals of the past, Ely’s Tarzan was articulate, intelligent, and physically imposing. Standing 6'4" with a background in football and bodybuilding, Ely brought a brutal realism to the role. The 1966 series was shot on location in Brazil and Mexico, giving it a gritty, documentary-style feel that was revolutionary for television at the time.
Title: Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966) Identifier: tarzan-and-the-valley-of-gold_1966 Uploader: Various user accounts Description: “Mike Henry’s first outing as Tarzan. Tarzan travels to Mexico to rescue a boy from a madman who wants to destroy the ‘Valley of Gold.’”
This is a nuanced question. The Internet Archive operates under "Fair Use" and preservation guidelines. However, the rights to Tarzan (character) belong to Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc., while the distribution rights to the 1966 series belong to Warner Bros. Because Warner Bros. has chosen not to make the show available (due to the music costs), most copyright holders turn a blind eye to preservationist uploads, provided no one is profiting. For the viewer, accessing these files on the Archive is generally considered a "preservation viewing" rather than piracy, as there is no legal way to purchase the product.
For decades, this specific version of the Lord of the Jungle was difficult to find. Overshadowed by syndication rights issues and the fading memory of analog television, it became a phantom series—remembered fondly by those who grew up with it, but inaccessible to new audiences. Today, however, a digital preservation miracle has occurred. Through the efforts of the Internet Archive, the 1966 Tarzan series has found a new home, allowing a fresh generation to swing through the trees alongside one of the most intellectual and physical Tarzans to ever grace the screen.
: Ron Ely's Tarzan was highly intelligent, well-spoken, and often acted as a mediator between local tribes and visiting outsiders.
If you manage to find the Ron Ely series on the Archive, you aren't just a pirate; you are an archaeologist. You are watching the last surviving prints of a show that corporate lawyers have locked in a vault. So, fire up the browser, navigate to the Archive, and hear the cry echo across the digital savannah.
