Tarzans Todesduell

It's surprising so few people have commented on this movie since it enjoyed a degree of success upon its original release and still qualifies as one of the better Tarzans. The plot follows the traditional pattern of a guide/protector leading a party through dangerous territory toward a sought-after destination. The guide/protector in this case is Tarzan who's come from Africa to parachute into an Asian kingdom that looks a lot like Thailand. His job is to escort Kashi, a boy who's been chosen as the "Successor" to the kingdom'e dying leader. The leader's evil brother, however, seeks power for himself and is determined to keep Kashi from reaching the city where his ordination will occur. The middle part of the movie is thus filled with dangers and obstacles which Tarzan must face and overcome. Along the way, of course, are snippets of the usual wildlife footage plus an "adorable" baby elephant who here serves the same purpose Cheetah did back in Tarzan's African movies. Even better, though, are the scenes of exotic temples, statues, and ceremonies which have been well photographed in Metrocolor and widescreen. These scenes alone make a look at this movie worthwhile.

The title refers to three challenges which Tarzan must pass before he is entrusted with the case of the Successor. The first is a test of skill involving archery and the third is a test of wisdom which requires Tarzan to answer a question. In between comes a test of strength which provided this movie with its most distinctive image. Tarzan stands between two tall posts. Ropes with attached handles have been looped over the tops of these poles. Tarzan takes hold of these handles and then is told: "You will be required to resist the pull of two buffalo for five strokes of the gong." The buffalo, tied to the other ends of the ropes, are then driven in opposite directions, causing Tarzan to be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d like a wishbone after Thanksgiving dinner. This "stretching," similar to feats of strength in such "Hercules" movies as "Goliath and the Barbarians," gives Jock Mahoney a chance to show off his sweaty, muscular, and carefully-shaved physique in a "bondage" situation that's quite sensual.

Alas, Mahoney's physique looks haggard in the movie's final reel in which he faces a fourth challenge -- a test of might which culminates in a sword fight vs. Woody Strode taking place over a netting stretched above cauldrons of bubbling liquid. (Why isn't the title, "Tarzan's Four Challenges?") Much has been made of the illness striking Mahoney during the filming which resulted in this haggard look, but the truth is Mahoney was about ten years too old for his part. Still, his age gives him a certain "gravitas" missing in most of the other Tarzans and he has no need for apologize for his performance which projects an image of quiet strength and mature judgment. Rocky Der is also commendably good as Kashi, managing to be appealing without resorting to "cuteness" and he has a great smile.

One question: Tarzan's bids farewell to his new friends in the final scene and then runs off down a country road. Where is he going? Does he plan to run all the way back to Africa?

In a far eastern country, dying chieftain Woody Strode (as Tarim) wants pre-teen son Ricky Der (as Kashi) to take over as successor, but Mr. Strode's wicked brother Kahn (the main role played by Strode) has other plans. From Africa, jungle king Jock Mahoney (as Tarzan) is summoned to sort out the mess. "Tarzan's Three Challenges" was the better of Mr. Mahoney's two outings as Tarzan. He was an older Tarzan, and reportedly quite sick for a couple of scenes, but remains tough. The Thailand location is used well by director Robert Day and the crew. Mahoney's strength test, the raging fire, and a sustained pace keep it above average. There are several suspenseful sequences, topped by a grand finale featuring Mahoney and Strode dueling on a giant net.

****** Tarzan's Three Challenges (6/63) Robert Day ~ Jock Mahoney, Woody Strode, Ricky Der, Earl Cameron

TARZAN'S THREE CHALLENGES (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1963) a Sy Weintraub production, directed by Robert Day, stars Jock Mahoney in his second and final role as Tarzan, the jungle lord. An immediate sequel to TARZAN GOES TO INDIA (1962), this time Tarzan heads out for more adventure out of Africa. Produced in Metro-color and breaking the traditional stories featuring Tarzan, Jane, Boy and their chimpanzee, Cheta, none of these characters exists here nor does the famous Tarzan yell. With the exception of Woody Strode, who assumes second billing after Mahoney in the casting credits, many of the supporting players are virtually unknown to American audiences, which is just as well, mainly to give the impression of watching actual people from Thailand rather than marque named performers playing characters from another country.

The plot development deals with Tarim (Woody Strode), a dying leader of Sun Mai, who has summoned Tarzan from Africa to guide Kashi (Ricky Der), the true heir and chosen one, to Sun Mai to claim his throne. Tarim has a jealous brother, Khan (Woody Strode), who believes his own son, Hani (Jimmy Jamal) should be the successor and attempts on keeping Tarzan from fulfilling his mission. Parachuting from a passing airplane, Tarzan (Jock Mahoney), immediately deals with Khan's men getting in his way. He soon befriends Hani (Salah Jamal) whom he uses as his guide. After passing his test of strength and wisdom, Tarzan meets Kashi, along with Cho San (Tsuruko Kobayashi) and Mang (Earl Cameron) to accompany him on his long and dangerous mission. With the journey completed, both Tarzan and Kashi find themselves individually put to difficult tasks and challenges. Featuring Anthony Chinn (Tor); Christopher Carlos (Sechung) in the supporting cast. Both Ricky Der and an elephant named Hungry get special introduction billing in the opening credits.

Location scenery, color photography and good story make up for the fact that Jock Mahoney does not eradicate the memory of Tarzan actors who preceded him, namely Johnny Weissmuller. Although a lot of effort was put into TARZAN'S THREE CHALLENGES to make this both different and uplifting to this long running series, Jock Mahoney doesn't seem the right fit for the Edgar Rice Burrough's created character. Speaking in articulate manner is fine. He venturing from Africa to Thailand only in loincloth, with his predecessor Gordon Scott being a muscular build, Mahoney's physical appearance shows him to be the slimmest Tarzan thus far. Regardless of these minor flaws, Mahoney, as in TARZAN GOES TO INDIA, does his best with his role. With Mahoney reportedly a stunt man before turning to acting, it's been said Mahoney did his own stunts here, and it shows. At least of all the movies featuring Jock Mahoney, he would be best remembered for being one of many actors to have played Tarzan. Woody Strode, however, stands out as the villain (what Tarzan movie never had a villain?), especially when fighting with knives on a net over a pit of burning coals with Tarzan, one of the true highlights of the story. A straightforward 100 minute adventure with slight humor going briefly to the elephant named Hungry.

Never distributed on home video but available on DVD, TARZAN'S THREE CHALLENGES did have cable television broadcasts including American Movie Classics (1997-2000) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: August 5, 2010). Next TARZAN adventure: TARZAN AND THE VALLEY OF GOLD (1966) introducing Mike Henry as the new and muscular Tarzan. (***)

This is Tarzan at its best. A man of nature dealing with the nature of man. Defending the spiritual from the corporeal. Terrific allegory. Jock Mahoney, although a bit old at the time of this film, is a terrific Tarzan. My favorite.

In an Asian country, the old ruler Karim is dying. His child heir Kashi is threatened by his evil uncle Gishi Khan (Woody Strode). Tarzan (Jock Mahoney) is summoned to protect Kashi from Khan.

I didn't know that Tarzan gets summoned around the world like a superhero. In some material, Tarzan is treated like a superhero. I certainly didn't expect Tarzan to show up in Asia. He's old and in his loincloth. Did he get a drum signal? How does he get there from Africa? Did he take a plane? Did he fly coach or first class? Where does he keep his money? These are my questions for this movie. I guess none of that matters. It's The King and Tarzan. It's such an oddity and a little fascinating. It's got good Thailand locations and exotic local flavors. Tarzan veteran Woody Strode is doing yellow-face, but I'm ignoring that. As a movie, it's rather boring except for the locations, animals, and other secondary exotic stuff.