Garp
Well-known member
- Messages
- 1,104
- Reaction score
- 180
- Trophy Points
- 68
BONUS: 'The one, the only, the real Tarzan' [2004]
This 50 minute documentary takes a cursory look at the life of Johnny Weissmuller, and is currently free to view on YouTube. The film has some excellent behind the scenes footage of some of Weissmuller's films, mostly the Jungle Jim ones, and interviews co-stars (including Johnny Sheffield) and family members. It is edited in an annoying and unnecessary non-linear fashion, mixing his later screen success in with his earlier swimming achievements. It's an honest appraisal of the man, with an especially sympathetic yet realistic rebuttal from one of his ex-wives. The most interesting aspect for me was the realisation that Weissmuller was actually born in Austria, in a region now part of Romania; he borrowed his brother's birth certificate (who was born in Pennsylvania) to 'prove' his US citizenship to compete in the Olympics. (His son is shown in Johnny's hometown in Romania, visiting what was believed to be his house, only to be informed that the actual house was down the street and had already been demolished.)
At only 50 minutes, nothing is covered in great detail, which is shame as there's probably a great full-length documentary to be made here. As such, it portrays Weissmuller as a young boy stuck inside a very large man's body, defeated physically, financially and emotionally by an addiction to marriage and alcohol.
This 50 minute documentary takes a cursory look at the life of Johnny Weissmuller, and is currently free to view on YouTube. The film has some excellent behind the scenes footage of some of Weissmuller's films, mostly the Jungle Jim ones, and interviews co-stars (including Johnny Sheffield) and family members. It is edited in an annoying and unnecessary non-linear fashion, mixing his later screen success in with his earlier swimming achievements. It's an honest appraisal of the man, with an especially sympathetic yet realistic rebuttal from one of his ex-wives. The most interesting aspect for me was the realisation that Weissmuller was actually born in Austria, in a region now part of Romania; he borrowed his brother's birth certificate (who was born in Pennsylvania) to 'prove' his US citizenship to compete in the Olympics. (His son is shown in Johnny's hometown in Romania, visiting what was believed to be his house, only to be informed that the actual house was down the street and had already been demolished.)
At only 50 minutes, nothing is covered in great detail, which is shame as there's probably a great full-length documentary to be made here. As such, it portrays Weissmuller as a young boy stuck inside a very large man's body, defeated physically, financially and emotionally by an addiction to marriage and alcohol.