At first glance, Tarzan and Jane (1994) appears to be a phantom. It is not the 1999 Disney musical sensation, nor the live-action 1984 Bo Derek film. Instead, it is a singular, obscure Australian-produced animated feature from Burbank Films Australia, released during a period when any public domain character was ripe for a low-budget adaptation. While frequently dismissed as a cheap knock-off, a deeper examination reveals Tarzan and Jane as a fascinating cultural artifact—one that grapples with the anxieties of domesticity, the legacy of colonial storytelling, and the unique aesthetic constraints of the mid-90s direct-to-video market.
Rumors suggest that the studio is courting pop-icon to provide the soundtrack, a decision that would mark a departure from the Alan Menken-led renaissance of the early 90s. The goal is a contemporary, rhythmic sound that mimics the heartbeat of the jungle.
Tarzan and Jane holds a unique place in the Tarzan filmography. It was quickly overshadowed by Disney’s 1999 behemoth, which ironically also starred a bored Jane (in the sequel Tarzan & Jane , 2002—a different film entirely, causing endless confusion). The Burbank version is now a cult curiosity, found on grainy YouTube uploads and forgotten VHS rips.
The biggest buzz surrounding the project is technological. The 1994 production team is experimenting with a new proprietary technology tentatively titled "Deep Canvas."