"Tarzan" is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 1914 novel of the same name. The film was produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by Kevin Lima. The story follows Tarzan, a human raised by gorillas in the African jungle, as he navigates his identity and falls in love with Jane Porter, a British explorer.
The “shame” plot device appears in act two. Jane, after a fever dream set to synth pan-flute music, gives in to her attraction. But immediately afterward, she experiences violent shame-fueled flashbacks: Victorian mother scolding her, a failed engagement, a church sermon on “the beast within.” She builds a makeshift cross and attempts to pray. Tarzan, confused, brings her a dead monkey as a gift.
Critics and viewers alike noted that their passion "radiates off the screen," lending the film a sincerity rarely found in adult cinema. One reviewer on Letterboxd hailed it as "the best thing Joe D‘Amato ever made... the only one with any heart," and "genuinely romantic and beautiful". Caracciolo, in particular, received praise for her acting ability; one audience member wrote that she has a rare quality that is missing in almost all porn stars: "She has ‘Expressions’". Another review declared her to be "mind-blowing" and noted she "carries emotions" alongside the film’s plot. Siffredi, meanwhile, is convincing as a feral creature discovering the world, possessing an "animalistic endowment" that perfectly suits his character’s untamed nature.
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Unlike traditional adaptations where Jane slowly teaches Tarzan human manners, this version highlights the breakdown of Jane's societal inhibitions.
While "Tarzan & Jane" may not be as polished as its 1999 counterpart, it remains a fun and lighthearted adventure that will delight fans of the original film. The movie's themes of friendship, perseverance, and love are timeless, making it a great watch for both kids and adults.
The narrative structure of Tarzan: Shame of Jane loosely follows the traditional framework of a Tarzan rescue story, but with highly satirical and adult-oriented twists. "Tarzan" is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs'
: The title refers to Jane's departure from her refined upbringing as she embraces her primitive desires and an unconventional relationship with the "Ape Man". Production Details
Tarzan: Shame of Jane exists in a specific vacuum of history. It’s a movie that tried to have its cake and eat it too—it wanted to be an adventure film and a fantasy. It mostly fails at being a good movie, but it succeeds wildly at being an entertaining one.
The jungle is clearly a three-block radius in the San Fernando Valley. The "dangerous" animals are stock footage spliced in with the grace of a freshman film student. The sound design is magnificent—every punch sounds like a wet salmon hitting concrete. The “shame” plot device appears in act two
, giving it a more authentic jungle backdrop than many low-budget films of the era. Notable Legal Trouble:
The film contains frequent, explicit sexual scenes. Some viewers find the intercutting of actual jungle animals (like monkeys) watching the sex scenes to be bizarre or distracting. Tarzan - Shame of Jane (1995) - IMDb