MGM argued the Derek film would be the second remake of their 1932 film Tarzan the Ape Man which they had the right to do, having released the first remake in 1959. complained, as that studio was also developing a Tarzan film with Robert Towne called Greystoke and they had the rights to the character from the Burroughs estate. In February 1980, MGM announced the studio was making a Tarzan film with the Dereks. After making A Change of Seasons, she was meant to appear in High Road to China but pulled out of the film saying she wanted to be directed only by her husband John.
James is killed by the Ivory King, and the natives remove Jane's clothes. Jane is then kidnapped by natives who intend to make her a wife of the tribe leader, forcing Tarzan into action. Jane and Tarzan become fascinated by each other. Realizing that James is on his trail, Tarzan kidnaps Jane. James continues to pursue Tarzan with the purpose of capturing him, dead or alive, and bringing him back to England. They discover the "white ape" is actually Tarzan, an uncivilized white man raised by apes living in the jungle. He is joined by his estranged daughter, Jane, after her mother's death. James Parker is a hunter in Africa, searching for a mythical "white ape". This film received extremely negative reviews, and in some circles has been considered to be one of the worst films ever made, even though it was a box-office success.
The film is marketed with the tagline Unlike any other "Tarzan" you've ever seen! The original actor cast in the Tarzan role was fired (or quit) early in production, resulting in the sudden casting of his stunt double, Miles O'Keeffe, in the title role. Former Tarzan actor Jock Mahoney, billed as Jack O'Mahoney, was the film's stunt coordinator.
The original music score is composed by Perry Botkin Jr.