Gritty, violent (mostly suggestively), well-made and adult in tone (there is even an attempted rape, and hints of perversity in Betta St. John's character), but with a few too many slow spots. Gordon Scott is rock-solid (literally!) as Tarzan, and Jock Mahoney (the following Tarzan!) is a worthy antagonist; their climactic fight is exhausting. **1/2 out of 4.

Tarzan the Magnificent (1960) *** (out of 4) Tarzan (Gordon Scott) must try and escort criminal Coy Banton (Jock Mahoney) and a group of people through the jungle to try and turn him over to authorities. Not only is Tarzan forced to drag these people through the dangerous jungle but he also has to deal with Banton's crazy father (John Carradine) and brothers who plan on getting him back. This was the sixth and final time that Scott would play Tarzan and this is clearly the best of his pictures and I'd probably say that overall this is the best Tarzan film since TARZAN AND HIS MATE. This film pretty much has everything you'd hope for in a Tarzan movie and that includes action, drama, a strong story, a terrific setting, great villains and of course of strong Tarzan. Scott was clearly in charge here as he delivers a wonderful performance as the ape man. There's no question that his physical ability was fine for the role but he also managed to make Tarzan a human and pull off the actual performance. As was the case in the previous film, this one here features a terrific supporting cast. Mahoney, who would take over the role of Tarzan in the next film, is perfect as the bad guy. What's so great about Mahoney is the way he really doesn't say much but instead you can see his evil thoughts simply by looking into his eyes. The two large men are perfectly matched against one another and especially the end sequence, which ranks among one of the best fight scenes of the series. Carradine is terrific as always playing the cold-blooded father and we also get strong support from Betta St. John, Lionel Jeffries, Alexandra Stewart and Earl Cameron. The final line from the opening credits lets viewers know that this film was shot in Africa and the on location shooting certainly helped build up some terrific atmosphere. The jungle looks really good and the various wild life really helps bring this film to life. The entire film is pretty much a chase sequence because we have Tarzan trying to get these people through the jungle with one issue coming up after another and on top of all of this he has to deal with the crazy family following. The action scenes are extremely well done and I'd say they're some of the most suspenseful of the series. This is especially true during a scene where Tarzan and Coy fall into some quicksand and must struggle to get out. TARZAN THE MAGNIFICENT is without question one of the best films in the series and even those non-fans should be able to enjoy this one.

Other reviewers have ably discussed where this movie fits in within the corpus of Tarzan movies and have pinpointed the epic fistfight battle of Jock Mahoney and Gordon Scott.Before Scott's Tarzan character tangled with Mahoney as Coy Banton, however, there is a scene where the youngest of the Banton family attempts to take on Tarzan and defeat him.The Banton family is a bunch of robbers and killers and, as they follow Tarzan who is conducting Coy Banton to the authorities, accompanied by the survivors of a steamboat accident, there are opportunities to attack this group and rescue Coy.Johnny, supposedly in his early twenties, played by then newcomer Gary Cockrell, whose career seemingly fizzled out in the 1970s, is making a daring attempt to go after this group without the support of his father or older brother and perhaps molest one of the women.Johnny comes across one of the women and chases her to a pool or stream some distance from the village where they have stopped. Johnny proceeds to grope and attack her, when Tarzan shows up as a result of her screams.At first, Johnny goes for his rifle and the two tussle. The rifle is thrown away and Johnny, his shirt now in shreds, is pushed on to the ground. He stands and goes for his knife. His muscular, lean, sinewy chest is revealed and he seems a plausible opponent for Tarzan at the moment. But the knife fight does not last for long. Johnny wants his rifle, thinking only that will save him. When he at last spots and holds it, the fight is maneuvered into the nearby water and the rifle's barrel is now pointing under Johnny's chin. The rifle goes off in the scuffle and Johnny is killed. He falls back, the shreds of his shirt parted on each side so that his chest is fully revealed as he floats upon the water.Tarzan smashes the rifle, for he knows that Johnny's death will invite more trouble from the rest of the Banton gang. Johnny's youthful, daring gamble has failed. The youngest of the Bantons is now dead.

Gordon Scott is a physically impressive actor and put his talents in good use in the italian muscleman genre.But he is no Tarzan.There is almost nothing savage about this character.He speaks well,he behaveslike any "civilized" person and as far as appearance,is better groomed than most ordinary folks!Just try to remember that Tarzan grew up with Apes!!!That said,this is not a bad movie and considered as an adventure is pretty good.I guess by the time these movies came out people were simply tired of a real jungleman.But for any real Tarzan fan,these movies do not add anything to the Tarzan myth.