Sky Arte Documentary Explores Tarzan's Cultural Legacy

The documentary 'Tarzan ‒ L’uomo dietro la leggenda' airs Saturday, May 5 on Sky Arte HD, examining the evolution of the iconic character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. First appearing in a 1912 American pulp magazine, Tarzan's stories have been translated into 50 countries and adapted into numerous films, TV shows, and comics. The character sparked controversies over African stereotypes in early films and erotic undertones in Hollywood portrayals of Tarzan and Jane. Despite censorship, Tarzan works addressed colonialism, animal cruelty, and slavery. The documentary traces Tarzan's origins and his various cinematic and illustrative interpretations.