{"id":76215,"date":"2021-09-18T11:15:30","date_gmt":"2021-09-18T18:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76215"},"modified":"2021-12-23T15:34:15","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T22:34:15","slug":"planet-of-the-apes-1968","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76215","title":{"rendered":"Planet of the Apes (1968)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Man has no understanding. He can be taught a few simple tricks &#8212; nothing more.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster-201x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-76216\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster-201x300.png 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster-686x1024.png 686w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster-86x128.png 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster-181x270.png 181w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Poster.png 751w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nWhen three astronauts (Charlton Heston, Robert Gunner, and Jeff Burton) crash-land on an alien planet, Captain Taylor (Heston) is imprisoned and studied by two ape-scientists (Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowell) whose work on the origins of humans is deeply threatening to the Minister of Science (Maurice Evans).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Astronauts<\/li>\n<li>Charlton Heston Films<\/li>\n<li>James Whitmore Films<\/li>\n<li>Kim Hunter Films<\/li>\n<li>Post-Apocalypse<\/li>\n<li>Primates<\/li>\n<li>Roddy McDowell Films<\/li>\n<li>Science Fiction<\/li>\n<li>Scientists<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that while &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Planet_of_the_Apes_(novel)\">Pierre Boulle&#8217;s novel <em>Monkey Planet<\/em><\/a> is given a big-budget, wide-screen Hollywood treatment,&#8221; &#8220;its sole virtues are the result of money spent.&#8221; He argues that the &#8220;script by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson&#8221; is &#8220;surprisingly juvenile,&#8221; and that &#8220;the writers thought they could get away with the cliches by the dozens and the most simplistic moralistic statements just because these would seem different coming from people in monkey costumes.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Still.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>With that said, he concedes that director Franklin J. Schaffner &#8220;does exhibit visual flare when filming action scenes and landscape shots&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Landscape2.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and that &#8220;bare-chested Heston&#8217;s a solid, muscular hero&#8221; &#8212; a &#8220;good choice to play a symbol of human superiority who is humbled when he is to be experimented on by the apes, just as humans experiment on apes back home.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Heston.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m largely in agreement with Peary&#8217;s assessment, finding this film, frankly, overrated. While I disagree that the film&#8217;s ending &#8212; &#8220;like something stolen from Serling&#8217;s <em>The Twilight Zone<\/em>&#8221; &#8212; is &#8220;predictable&#8221; (it&#8217;s not), I have a hard time wrapping my head around the inanity of the ape costumes, the wooden acting, and the improbable script (see <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/16jLyLsMa58\">the humorous video &#8220;Everything Wrong With Planet of the Apes&#8221;<\/a> for an overview of its many &#8220;sins&#8221;). This was clearly meant to be a satire on numerous levels, and at the time of its release I&#8217;m sure it was considered audacious and groundbreaking &#8212; but it simply hasn&#8217;t aged well. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Groundbreaking make-up design<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Makeup.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Several powerful images<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Hunting.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine widescreen cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-1024x435.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"272\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-76221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-1024x435.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-128x54.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-768x326.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-1536x653.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography-604x257.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Planet-of-the-Apes-Cinematography.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, once, simply for its historical relevance. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> (<span style=\"color:red;font-weight:bold;\">Listed in <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1458\"><em>1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die<\/em><\/a><\/span>) <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0063442\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moriareviews.com\/sciencefiction\/planet-of-the-apes-1968.htm\">Moria Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.filmsite.org\/planetofapes.html\">FilmSite Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/18648\/planet-of-the-apes#articles-reviews?articleId=1008799\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=2493\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.badmovies.org\/movies\/planetapes\/\">Bad Movies Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Q6JvLiBSbak\">Cinemassacre Video Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Man has no understanding. He can be taught a few simple tricks &#8212; nothing more.&#8221; Synopsis: When three astronauts (Charlton Heston, Robert Gunner, and Jeff Burton) crash-land on an alien planet, Captain Taylor (Heston) is imprisoned and studied by two ape-scientists (Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowell) whose work on the origins of humans is deeply threatening to the Minister of Science (Maurice Evans). Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Astronauts Charlton Heston Films James Whitmore Films Kim Hunter Films Post-Apocalypse Primates&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=76215\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=76215"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79068,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76215\/revisions\/79068"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=76215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=76215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=76215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}