Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive | 2026 Update |

Film critic Leonard Maltin, in a 2023 podcast, called the Archive’s acquisition "a heroic act." He noted, "Mike Henry only played Tarzan twice (the second film was Tarzan and the Great River in 1967), but his interpretation was the bridge between the serial strongman and the serious action hero. Without that 1966 exclusive, we’d have a hole in the character's evolution." Because this is an exclusive at risk of removal (rights holders could theoretically change their minds), the Archive encourages preservation.

When asked for comment, a representative for the Archive told us: "We have filed a Section 108 exception. The film is orphaned. We are not replacing a market—Warner Bros. has no market for this title. We are preserving history."

For decades, 1966 was considered a somewhat forgotten year in the nearly century-long saga of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ creation. While the 1930s Johnny Weissmuller films are legendary and the 1980s Bo Derek fantasy gained camp status, the mid-1960s output—specifically the German-French co-productions starring American bodybuilder and former Mr. Universe, Mike Henry—remained elusive. That is, until the Internet Archive (Archive.org) secured what fans now reverently call the "Exclusive." To the uninitiated, "Tarzan 1966" refers specifically to the film Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (released in West Germany in 1966 and in the US in 1967). This was not just another sequel. It was a reboot. Following the departure of Gordon Scott, producer Sy Weintraub cast Mike Henry—a former NFL linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams—to bring a rougher, more intelligent, and brutally athletic Tarzan to the screen.

Fans have embraced this logic. The comment section on the Archive’s page is a treasure trove of nostalgia, with users writing things like: "I saw this at a drive-in in 1967. Thank you for letting me see the knife fight uncut." Why not just watch a low-res upload on YouTube? Let’s compare: Film critic Leonard Maltin, in a 2023 podcast,

Have you watched the exclusive Tarzan 1966 scan? Share your thoughts on the Archive’s comment page. Long live the Lord of the Apes.

Just be prepared to hear that legendary Wilhelm scream echo through your living room—uncut, uncompressed, and utterly wild. ★★★★½ (Essential for classic action fans) Where: [archive.org] Keywords: Tarzan 1966, Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive, Tarzan 1966 Internet Archive Exclusive, Mike Henry Tarzan, public domain jungle films. The film is orphaned

Mike Henry’s Tarzan is muscular, cunning, and silent in a 1960s way that feels both retro and refreshing. Whether you are a lifelong Burroughs devotee, a student of action cinema, or just someone looking for a rainy afternoon adventure, head over to Archive.org and search for the exclusive.