Planet of the Apes (1968) (Exclusive Series) (HBO Max)
- Matt Palmer
- Jan 11, 2022
- 3 min read
Initial release date: April 3, 1968
Studios: 20th Century Fox/APJAC Productions
Plot: Complex sociological themes run through this science fiction classic about three astronauts marooned on a futuristic planet where apes rule and humans are slaves. The stunned trio discovers that these highly intellectual simians can both walk upright and talk. They have even established a class system and a political structure. The astronauts suddenly find themselves part of a devalued species, trapped and imprisoned by the apes.
Cast
Charlton Heston - George Taylor
Roddy McDowall - Cornelius
Kim Hunter - Zira
Maurice Evans - Dr. Zaius
James Whitmore - President of the Assembly
James Daley - Honorius
Linda Harrison - Nova
Robert Gunner - Landon
Lou Wagner - Lucius
Woodrow Parfey - Maximus
Jeff Burton - Dodge
Writer(s): Michael Wilson (Lawrence of Arabia)
Rod Sterling (Twilight Zone series)
Pierre Boulle (based on the novel by)
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner (The Boys from Brazil; Patton)
Rated G (112 min)
Tonight was the first time in YEARS that I have seen the 1968 original ‘Planet of the Apes.’ I haven’t seen the others in the original series and from what I read online, they are not as good as this movie. And the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ is incredible!!
This 1968 feature film is one of the best films out there. The acting is terrific. And the make-up/costumes for the apes are simply incredible.
Even if you have seen the classic film numerous times, you can still feel a little bit of a shock when it’s revealed that the planet that the astronauts crash-landed is run by apes. And, who cannot forget the ending??
The last few minutes of the film is one of the biggest surprises of the entire film. In fact, it’s one of the biggest surprises of ANY film. Not spoiling for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
Make sure to check out ‘Planet of the Apes,’ along with its four sequels, before they leave the HBO Max streaming platform at the end of the month.
Here are quite a few interesting tidbits for ‘Planet of the Apes’:
There were three other endings suggested for the film’s climax, but the one favored by Heston ultimately won out.
All of the apes actors and extras were required to wear their masks even during breaks and in between shots because it took so much time to make them up. Because of this, meals were liquified and drunk through straws.
Pierre Boulle reportedly thought the novel was his own worst.
The movie’s line, “Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape,’ was voted as the No. 66 movie quote in 2005 by the AFI (American Film Institute).
Director Franklin J. Schaffner deliberately used odd, skewed angles and handheld cameras to create a disorientating effect, much like what Heston’s character experiences in this brave new world.
The apes don’t make their first appearance until roughly a half hour into the film.
Was originally considered to be a ‘Twilight Zone’ spin-off movie.
Producer Arthur P. Jacobs bought the rights for the Pierre Boulle novel before its publication in 1963. Jacobs pitched the production to many studios, but was passed over.
After Jacobs made a successful debut as a producer doing 1964s ‘What A Way To Go!’ for 20th Century Fox and begun pre-production of another movie for the studio, ‘Doctor Dolittle,’ he managed to convince Fox VP Richard D. Zanuck to green-lit ‘Planet of the Apes.’
To convince Fox that the film could be made, the producers shot a brief test scene from a Rod Sterling draft of the script, using early versions of the ape make-up, on March 8, 1966.
‘Planet of the Apes’ was met with critical acclaim and is widely regarded as a classic film and one of the best films of 1968, applauded for its imagination and its commentary on a possible world turned upside down.
According to Fox records the film required $12,850,000 in theater rentals to break even and made $20,825,000 - a large profit of the studio.
The original film spawned four sequels: ‘Beneath the Planet of the Apes’ (1970), ‘Escape from the Planet of the Apes’ (1971), ‘Conquest of the Planet of the Apes’ (1972) and ‘Battle for the Planet of the Apes’ (1973).
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