The film follows the story of James "Tarzan" Hartley (played by Ron Ely), a skilled hunter and explorer who ventures into the depths of the jungle in search of a mythical lost city. Instead, he stumbles upon a hidden community of apes, led by a powerful and intelligent ape named Lord Chang (played by Chiu Chow). Tarzan forms a bond with the apes and becomes their leader, using his human intelligence and skills to protect them from threats both within and outside their community.