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Timeline

Tarzan (1999) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1999 · 88 min · English
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Directed by
Chris Buck, Kevin Lima
Starring
Tony Goldwyn, Minnie Driver
Budget
$130M

A thrilling adventure unfolds as Tarzan faces a ruthless army dispatched by the CEO of Greystoke Energies. Determined to silence him, the corporation seeks to exploit the jungle's resources. Alongside Jane, Tarzan must fight to defend his home and expose the dark secrets behind this dangerous plot, battling both the intruders and the truth they seek to conceal.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Movies like Tarzan
  7. 7 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Tarzan Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Tarzan (1999) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Shipwreck in Equatorial Africa

    In 1999, a British family experiences a tragic shipwreck, leaving them stranded in Equatorial Africa. As they begin to construct a treehouse using timber from the wreck, their life appears idyllic at first.

    When
    1999
    Where
    Equatorial Africa
  2. Tragedy Strikes

    Their happiness is abruptly ended when Sabor, a vicious leopard that has escaped from a circus, attacks and kills the parents. In a heart-wrenching moment, their baby son cries out for help amidst the chaos.

    Where
    Treehouse
  3. Kala's Rescue

    Kala, a compassionate gorilla who lost her own child to Sabor, hears the infant's cries. She bravely rescues the baby from the treehouse, escaping just in time as Sabor gets entangled in ropes.

    Where
    Jungle
  4. Adoption of Tarzan

    Kala adopts the human child and names him Tarzan. Despite her mate Kerchak's objections, Kala raises him with love and care, trying to make him part of the gorilla family.

    Where
    Jungle
  5. Growing Up Among Gorillas

    As Tarzan grows, he befriends Terk, Kala's energetic niece, and Tantor, a neurotic elephant. Despite his nurturing environment, Tarzan struggles with his unique appearance and seeks acceptance from the tribe.

    Where
    Gorilla Troop
  6. Challenges for Acceptance

    To prove his worth, Tarzan engages in dangerous tasks, such as trying to pull a hair from an elephant's tail. However, these attempts often backfire, leading to a stampede and increasing Kerchak's disapproval.

    Where
    Jungle
  7. Confrontation with Sabor

    The peace of the tribe is shattered when Sabor returns to attack the gorillas. In a desperate defense, Kerchak is injured, and Tarzan steps in, ultimately defeating Sabor and earning reluctant respect from Kerchak.

    Where
    Gorilla Habitat
  8. Arrival of Human Explorers

    The tranquility is disrupted when a group of human explorers, led by Professor Archimedes Q Porter and his daughter Jane, arrive to observe the gorillas. Their presence raises both curiosity and conflict within the jungle.

    Where
    Jungle
  9. Tarzan Saves Jane

    When Jane finds herself in danger from a troop of baboons, Tarzan comes to her rescue. This moment sparks an unexpected bond between them, highlighting their mutual curiosity and connection.

    Where
    Jungle
  10. Conflict with Kerchak

    Kerchak confronts Tarzan, forbidding him from associating with the humans, as he fears the dangers they represent. However, Tarzan defends his friendship with Jane, illustrating his internal struggle between two worlds.

    Where
    Gorilla Habitat
  11. Understanding Human Life

    Despite Kerchak's warnings, Tarzan visits Jane's camp, where he learns to speak English and is introduced to human culture. This experience deepens his bond with Jane as they discover their shared similarities.

    Where
    Explorers' Camp
  12. Choice Between Worlds

    As Tarzan and Jane's relationship blossoms, Jane expresses her wish to return to England. Torn, Tarzan persuades her to stay, but he is later manipulated by Clayton into guiding them to the gorillas' nesting grounds.

    Where
    Jungle
  13. Kerchak Misunderstands

    Kerchak attacks the group of humans, mistaking them for a threat due to Tarzan's guidance. This conflict forces Tarzan to confront his loyalties as he defends his human friends against his own family.

    Where
    Gorilla Habitat
  14. Clayton's Treachery

    As Clayton's true intentions surface, he captures the gorillas to exploit them. Tarzan, with help from Terk and Tantor, mounts a daring rescue to save his friends and confront Clayton's betrayal.

    Where
    Jungle
  15. Final Farewell and New Beginnings

    In the aftermath, Kerchak acknowledges Tarzan as his son before passing away, bequeathing him the leadership of the gorilla troop. Jane makes a pivotal choice to join Tarzan in the jungle, marking their new life together.

    Where
    Jungle

Last updated: November 03, 2024 at 22:32

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Timeline questions answered

Tarzan Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Tarzan (1999): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Kala adopt the human baby?

Kala adopts the human infant because she had recently lost her own child to Sabor, the same leopard that killed the baby's parents. When she hears the baby's cries in the jungle, her maternal instincts drive her to rescue the child and raise him as her own, despite Kerchak's objections.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Kala's heartbreak over losing her own child is shown, setting up her decision to save this human baby.

  • kala
  • adoption
  • baby
  • tarzan
  • sabor
  • gorilla
Q2

Why does Kerchak oppose Tarzan's adoption?

Kerchak opposes Tarzan's adoption because the child is human and looks different from the other gorillas. He fears that Tarzan will never truly belong to the family and may bring danger to the troop, as humans represent an unknown threat in the jungle.

Foreshadowing: Kerchak's initial resistance establishes his distrust of humans throughout the film.

  • kerchak
  • tarzan
  • adoption
  • gorilla
  • opposition
Q3

Why does Tarzan kill Sabor?

Tarzan kills Sabor when the leopard attacks the gorilla troop and injures Kerchak. Stepping in heroically, Tarzan uses a spear to defeat Sabor, protecting his family and earning Kerchak's reluctant respect despite his earlier rejection.

Foreshadowing: Sabor's earlier attack on Tarzan's biological parents and Kala's child establishes the leopard as a recurring threat.

  • sabor
  • tarzan
  • kill
  • leopard
  • gorilla attack
Q4

Why does Tarzan lead the explorers to the gorillas?

Tarzan is manipulated by Clayton, who tells him that Jane will stay in the jungle only if Tarzan leads the group to the gorillas. Wanting Jane to remain with him, Tarzan reluctantly agrees, not understanding Clayton's true intentions to capture the gorillas.

Foreshadowing: Clayton's earlier focus on security and his gunshots foreshadow his violent intentions.

  • tarzan
  • clayton
  • jane
  • gorillas
  • manipulation
Q5

Why does Kerchak attack the human explorers?

Kerchak attacks the explorers because he perceives them as a threat when they arrive at the gorillas' nesting grounds. Having warned Tarzan about the dangers of humans, Kerchak reacts defensively to protect his troop from what he believes is an invasion.

Foreshadowing: Kerchak's earlier confrontation with Tarzan about forbidding association with humans sets up this conflict.

  • kerchak
  • attack
  • explorers
  • gorilla
  • jane
Q6

Why does Kala tell Tarzan about his human origins?

Kala reveals Tarzan's origins to help him understand his past and make an informed choice about his future. After Kerchak's attack on the humans creates a rift, Kala helps Tarzan reconcile his dual identity by explaining that he was adopted as an infant, empowering him to decide whether to stay with the gorillas or leave with Jane.

Foreshadowing: Kala's rescue of the baby in the opening scene carries emotional weight throughout the film.

  • kala
  • tarzan
  • origins
  • adoption
  • human
  • gorilla
Q7

Why does Clayton betray Tarzan and the gorillas?

Clayton's true intention was always to capture gorillas for profit, using the expedition as a cover. Once he has the gorillas cornered, his greed surfaces and he reveals his betrayal, capturing the group to exploit the animals for money.

Foreshadowing: Clayton's preoccupation with guns and security, along with his insistence on following Tarzan to the nesting grounds, hints at his ulterior motives.

  • clayton
  • betrayal
  • trap
  • gorillas
  • villain
Q8

Why does Kerchak accept Tarzan at the end?

After fighting Clayton and saving the gorilla troop, Kerchak is mortally wounded. On his deathbed, he acknowledges Tarzan's bravery and leadership in protecting the family, finally accepting him as his son and naming him leader of the gorilla troop.

Foreshadowing: Kerchak's reluctant respect after Tarzan kills Sabor hints at his eventual full acceptance.

  • kerchak
  • tarzan
  • acceptance
  • leadership
  • death
Q9

Why does Jane choose to stay in the jungle?

Jane chooses to stay in the jungle after her father, Professor Porter, encourages her to follow her heart and find her own path. Inspired by his words about discovering where she truly belongs, Jane decides to remain with Tarzan instead of returning to England.

Foreshadowing: Jane and Tarzan's growing bond throughout the film establishes their romance as the foundation for this choice.

  • jane
  • tarzan
  • stay
  • jungle
  • choice
  • love
Q10

How does Tarzan defeat Clayton?

Tarzan defeats Clayton in an aerial battle among the treetops, using his jungle agility and strength. The confrontation ends when Clayton falls to his death while attempting to escape, losing his grip on the vine he's climbing.

Foreshadowing: Tarzan's upbringing among gorillas and his tree-climbing skills are established early in the film.

  • tarzan
  • clayton
  • fight
  • defeat
  • vine

Movie threads

More Movies Like Tarzan, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Tarzan tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Animated Found Family Movies like Tarzan

Hopeful animated stories where an outsider discovers where they truly belong. If you enjoyed Tarzan's story of finding a home and family, you'll love these movies. This collection features similar animated adventures where characters discover their true identity and build deep bonds, offering stories filled with hope, self-discovery, and emotional fulfillment.

  • heartfelt
  • uplifting
  • adventurous
  • nostalgic
  • comforting
  • tender
  • Tone: hopeful, heartfelt
  • Pacing: steady, narrative-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a protagonist, often orphaned or displaced, who is taken in by an unconventional family. The story arc revolves around overcoming initial differences, facing a common threat that tests their unity, and ultimately choosing their found family, leading to a happy and affirming ending.

Why they belong together: They are grouped together for their shared focus on the theme of found family, a steady and hopeful tone, and a mix of adventurous action with deep emotional warmth. They balance medium emotional weight with an ultimately uplifting and straightforward narrative.

Movies about Protecting Nature like Tarzan

Thrilling stories of characters defending their natural home from exploitation. For viewers who loved Tarzan's fight to save his jungle, this list features similar movies about defending the wild. These stories blend adventure and drama with strong conservation themes, showcasing heroes who battle corporate or human threats to preserve their home and way of life.

  • adventurous
  • tense
  • heartfelt
  • uplifting
  • inspiring
  • urgent
  • Tone: hopeful, tense
  • Pacing: steady, building to action
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot follows a character, often raised in or deeply bonded with a wilderness setting, who faces an external threat seeking to exploit that environment. The journey involves rallying allies, uncovering the antagonist's dark secrets, and engaging in a climactic confrontation that reaffirms the value of protecting the natural world.

Why they belong together: These films share a core 'man vs nature' conflict centered on conservation, a steady pacing that builds to thrilling action sequences, and a tone that is ultimately hopeful despite the serious themes. They offer a satisfying blend of environmental messaging and adventure.

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Movies Like Tarzan

Similar movies to Tarzan: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

Tarzan (1999) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Tarzan in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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