Movie · 1921
Is The Adventures of Tarzan based on a book?
Quick answer
Yes. The Adventures of Tarzan is based on the works The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1915) and Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1916).
The Return of Tarzan is book 2 of the Tarzan series.
The movie was released in 1921.
The book behind The Adventures of Tarzan
The Return of Tarzan
by Edgar Rice Burroughs · first published 1915 · adventure fiction, fantasy
1913 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar
by Edgar Rice Burroughs · first published 1916 · fantasy, adventure fiction
1916 novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Tarzan: books in order
- Tarzan of the Apes (1912)
- The Return of Tarzan (1915)
- The Beasts of Tarzan (1914)
- The Son of Tarzan (1915)
- Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar (1916)
- Jungle Tales of Tarzan (1919)
- Tarzan the Untamed (1920)
- Tarzan the Terrible (1921)
- Tarzan and the Golden Lion (1922)
- Tarzan and the Ant Men (1924)
- Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle (1927)
- Tarzan and the Lost Empire (1928)
- Tarzan at the Earth's Core (1930)
- Tarzan the Invincible (1930)
- Tarzan Triumphant (1931)
- Tarzan and the City of Gold (1932)
- Tarzan and the Lion Man (1934)
- Tarzan and the Leopard Men (1935)
- Tarzan's Quest (1936)
- Tarzan and the Forbidden City (1938)
- Tarzan the Magnificent (1939)
- Tarzan and the Foreign Legion (1947)
- Tarzan and the Madman (1964)
- Tarzan and the Castaways (1965)
Other adaptations of The Return of Tarzan
- The Revenge of Tarzan (film, 1920)
- Tarzan the Tiger (film, 1929)
Common questions
Is The Adventures of Tarzan based on a book?
Yes. The Adventures of Tarzan is based on the works The Return of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1915) and Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1916).
Who wrote the book The Adventures of Tarzan is based on?
The Return of Tarzan was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs and first published in 1915.
Is The Return of Tarzan part of a series?
Yes, it is book 2 in the Tarzan series (6 books listed below in reading order).
Should I read the book before watching?
Start with Tarzan of the Apes, book 1 of The Return of Tarzan. If you like knowing the full story and characters first, read it before you watch. Adaptations often change or cut plotlines, so the book is a different experience even if you've seen the movie.
More screen adaptations of Edgar Rice Burroughs's books
- Tarzan (film, 1999)
- John Carter (film, 2012)
- The Legend of Tarzan (film, 2016)
- Tarzan the Ape Man (film, 1932)
- Tarzan II (film, 2005)
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (film, 1984)