Tarzan
One of the most classic and revered stories of all time, Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan returns to the big screen for a new generation. Tarzan and Jane face a mercenary army dispatched by the evil CEO of Greystoke Energies, a man who took over the company from Tarzan's parents, after they died in a plane crash in the African jungle.
The film earned $44.1M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Tarzan (2013) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Reinhard Klooss's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Tarzan lives peacefully in the jungle with his adoptive gorilla family, accepted as one of their own despite being different.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Sabor the leopard attacks the gorilla family. Tarzan tries to fight but is too weak, revealing his inadequacy and vulnerability in the jungle world.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Adult Tarzan defeats Sabor, proving himself to the gorilla family. He actively chooses to embrace his identity as protector of the jungle., moving from reaction to action.
At 47 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Tarzan shows Jane the gorilla family, a false victory where both worlds seem to coexist peacefully. Jane accepts Tarzan fully, but danger is introduced., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Clayton captures the gorillas and Kala is mortally wounded. Tarzan's worst fear realized - he has betrayed his family. Loss of his adoptive mother represents the whiff of death., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 74 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Tarzan realizes he doesn't have to choose between worlds - he can be both human and jungle protector. He synthesizes both identities to save his family., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Tarzan's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Tarzan against these established plot points, we can identify how Reinhard Klooss utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Tarzan within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Tarzan lives peacefully in the jungle with his adoptive gorilla family, accepted as one of their own despite being different.
Theme
Kala tells Tarzan, "You may look different on the outside, but inside your heart beats the same as ours." Theme of identity and belonging stated.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of jungle life, Tarzan's relationship with his gorilla family, his friendship with Terk and Tantor, and his struggle to fit in despite his differences.
Disruption
Sabor the leopard attacks the gorilla family. Tarzan tries to fight but is too weak, revealing his inadequacy and vulnerability in the jungle world.
Resistance
Tarzan trains himself to become stronger and faster, learning to survive. He debates his place in the world and pushes himself to prove his worth to the family.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Adult Tarzan defeats Sabor, proving himself to the gorilla family. He actively chooses to embrace his identity as protector of the jungle.
Mirror World
Jane Porter arrives in the jungle with her father and Clayton. She represents the human world and a new possibility for Tarzan's identity.
Premise
Tarzan explores the human world through Jane, learning language, culture, and experiencing the joy of discovering his origins. The promise of finding where he belongs.
Midpoint
Tarzan shows Jane the gorilla family, a false victory where both worlds seem to coexist peacefully. Jane accepts Tarzan fully, but danger is introduced.
Opposition
Clayton's true intentions revealed as he plans to capture the gorillas. Tarzan torn between two worlds. The gorilla family rejects him for bringing danger.
Collapse
Clayton captures the gorillas and Kala is mortally wounded. Tarzan's worst fear realized - he has betrayed his family. Loss of his adoptive mother represents the whiff of death.
Crisis
Tarzan mourns his mother and grapples with his identity crisis. He must decide who he truly is and where he belongs in his darkest moment.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Tarzan realizes he doesn't have to choose between worlds - he can be both human and jungle protector. He synthesizes both identities to save his family.
Synthesis
Tarzan rallies the jungle animals, uses both human intelligence and jungle skills to defeat Clayton, rescue the gorillas, and save both his families.
Transformation
Tarzan stands as leader of the jungle family with Jane by his side. He has integrated both identities - no longer torn between worlds but whole in himself.