An monumental experience.
Loosely based on the 1963 novel La Planète des Singes by Pierre Boulle, this science-fiction
action film was a smash success following its April 3, 1968 release - grossing around
six times its $5.8 million dollar budget.
The G-rated production by director Franklin J. Schaffner follows an astronaut crew who
crash-land on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant
species... while mute humans are enslaved.
Hollywood icon Charlton Heston brings his larger-than-life persona to the lead role
as a headstrong and resourceful commander who finds himself stuck in one impossible
and unbelievable situation after the next.
Shot in the neck while being rounded up, his ape-captors think he's another dumb, silent
human.
But when his vocal chords heal at the conclusion of a long chase he's finally able to yell
out, "Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!"
- a triumphantly powerful moment that shocks the entire ape community and remains one of
the best lines in movie history.
But this scene arrives well past the halfway mark, as the apes aren't even introduced until
a half hour into the 112 minute film.
The opening act - that has Heston and his fellow ANSA astronauts fumbling through the
desert searching for life - are interesting and moody... but the film doesn't truly 'turn
a corner' until we finally see those scary looking gorillas on horseback.
Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter portray sympathetic chimp scientists who befriend the strange
talking human, while Maurice Evans turns in a fantastic performance as the despicable
and uncompromising Dr. Zaius.
The narrative themes touch upon the prevalence of animal cruelty, the Civil Rights movement
of the 1960s, and science vs. religion; with McDowall questioning, "How can scientific
truth be heresy?".
Indeed, it's hard to watch the 'courtroom' scene in this film and not be frustrated at
the leadership's stubborn refusal to listen to reason or truth - a reality that sadly
parallels today's politics.
But just when things get a bit too upsetting, there's an impossible-to-miss "See No Evil,
Hear No Evil" sight gag!
Which is nice.
While the titular concept sure is a terrifying one, the movie unfortunately feels more like
"Village Of The Apes" - as only a single settlement is shown.
This is not say the scope of the film is unimpressive however.
Thanks to the involved stunt-work, award-winning make-up, and giant set design - it's obvious
a lot of time, talent, and money were invested in creating this imaginative environment.
Earlier, we're treated to some curious sound effect choices - like a weird reverb on Charlton's
obnoxious laughter, or the screeching scream heard when he discovers his female counterpart
died in hypo-sleep.
Visually however, the film makes terrific use of the long Panavision frame - especially
in wide group shots... even if there are lots of distracting zooms, a technique popular
in the 60s, but one that feels particularly jarring today.
Early work from Jerry Goldsmith mixes loud woodwinds with rhythmic percussion for a very
lively, somewhat jungle sound.
The atonal score also netted "Planet Of The Apes" one of its two Oscar nominations; the
other for came Morton Haack's memorable costume design.
And since it didn't exist as a category yet, John Chambers was instead given an honorary
Academy Award for his groundbreaking ape prosthetics and make-up.
Compared to the rebooted trilogy of today, the apes here mayn't look very 'realistic'
- but they never look fake either.
The chimps, gorillas, and orangutans resemble hairy humanoid-ape hybrids, allowing you to
occasionally forget you're just watching actors in funny masks.
It's rather difficult to discuss this film without mentioning its unforgettable final
twist - a moment that has been parodied and referenced countless times in the 50 years
since this film's release.
So I'm just going to go ahead and spoil it for the few who aren't already familiar.
Heston discovering the Statue Of Liberty half-submerged in the sand might not make much sense geographically,
or even metallurgically (why hasn't the cooper statue eroded yet?) - but it is an incredible
final image with haunting implications; the 'Planet Of The Apes' is Earth.
It is an absolutely stunning reveal, and one that warns of man's continued hubris, with
Heston's frustrated accusatory screams closing out the film.
The whole sequence feels like the ending of a great "Twilight Zone" episode.
After two-thousand years, Earth would undoubtedly look slightly different, but even still, you'd
think skilled astronauts would be able to recognize their own planet.
The stars, sun, gravity, atmosphere, and temperature should have all been clues as to where they
really landed.
This minor character deficiency, coupled with slow-pacing early on are my only real gripes.
The success of this movie not only made an indelible mark on its genre - it also inspired
four direct sequels, a remake, a reboot trilogy, a short-lived television show, an animated
series, comic books, a video game, and one hilarious fake musical in an episode of "The
Simpsons".
Still remarkable and entertaining a half-century later, "Planet Of The Apes" is a sci-fi milestone.
Now let's see what the Movie Night audience had to say.
Praising its story and final twist - we all agreed, this is a truly AWESOME film.
That does it for this quick excerpt - but if you'd like to watch more "Movie Night",
click or tap the thumbnails on the left.
And don't forget to visit the Jogwheel YouTube channel to see full episodes of this show
in addition to the other content I produce.
My name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!