JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonPlanet of the Apes (1968)
November 9th 2007 00:01
Category: Science Fiction, Horror
Those damn baboon's could teach us a thing or two?
Planet of the Apes available - Sequels and TV show not recommended.
“It's a mad house. A mad house.” - Taylor
Often misjudged because of the low IQ sequels and an ill conceived remake, this 1960’s original Planet of the Apes is an intelligent science fiction horror film with important ideals.
“There is no contradiction between faith and science... true science!” – Dr Zaius
Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle with the same conscience in a dystopian world, at its core observing mans destructive nature, the disrespectful exploitation of nature and mistreatment of the environment. Cleverly reversing the Darwinian scale and putting us at the bottom.
“Beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him; drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.” – Cornelius
A spaceship is launched from earth. While journeying through space a malfunction forces the astronauts to crash land in the future. Plummeting into a lake on an unknown Planet, the three surviving crew members decide to leave the safety of a guaranteed water supply. The dirt is poison and they are forced into exploring the dauntingly hostile landscape of an eerie, barren land.
Commander Taylor (Charlton Heston) is a determined, cynical loner who is fed up with society and quests for something better. The other two Landon (Robert Gunner) and Dodge (Jeff Burton) are more subdued and disciplined.
“I'm a seeker too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be.” -Taylor
Consuming all the emergency supplies in their kit, staving off starvation and thirst are top priority. Exhausted and desperate the trio finally stumble upon a waterhole that answers there prayers.
While skinny dipping and basking in relief, swiftly and silently all their clothes are stolen. Catching only a glimpse of the thieves they set off in hot pursuit managing to get their uniforms back.
Continuing the chase the trio follow their quarry out of the thick bush and into a vast field of tall grass revealing a grunting human race. Having only enough time to conclude that they could advance the species and help evolution along before they are sent into shock!
Sirens screech in their heads at the sight of an evolved gorilla race sitting atop of trusty steeds, armed with rifles. The “civilised apes purpose revealed, hunting homo-sapiens for experimentation and protection of their crops.
Now running for their lives, frightened and confused the simian filled nightmare begins….
“Have you forgotten your scripture, the thirteenth scroll? "And Proteus brought the upright beast into the garden and chained him to a tree and the children did make sport of him." – Dr Zaius
Planet of the Apes Art and stills
Chuck relaxes between shots
John Doe says:
Sure the story is taut and the film-making casts a spell with its alien atmosphere but when talking about the premiere Monkey Planet film, the Oscar winning make up must be given its dues. If the characters couldn’t express emotion and authenticity then all the thoughtful dialogue, sense of dread and certainly power would be removed from all other elements.
The results were so good that the CIA secretly recruited some of the artists to work in real life. Disguising double agents smuggled across Russian borders during the last days of the cold war.
Handled with attentive care, Director Franklin J Schaffner (Patton, Pappilon, Boys From Brazil) deliberately sets a tone of hopeless isolation for the opening 15 minutes developing a foreboding mood to emulate feeling ship wrecked on an uninhabitable, lifeless Skull Island.
Science Fiction genius Rod Serling (Twilight Zone) adapts the screenplay investing us in the fascinating conceits of the concept. The Lord of the Flies type philosophical undercurrents rising to the surface. There is an irony permeating as Apes mirror human behaviour that’s punctuated by inverted adages like “Human see, human do.”
The often parodied master stroke ending is still too good to discuss, just in case someone hasn’t actually seen it.
Evergreen in its appeal, the terror that sometimes sneaks in is a combination of Jerry Goldsmith’s abrupt flashes of coordinated noise working with the purposeful cinematography to shape a wide eyed ambiance.
The acting is better than it should be which also adds more prestige to what could honestly have easily become an incompetent, Ed Wood style laughfest.
Chuck Heston always seemed to pick movie’s where needing a gun is a matter of survival and in this his weapon is desired like oxygen. His masculine jaw jutted out as he passionately delivers his lines with fervour, emphasizing Taylor’s character.
Roddy McDowell as scientist Cornelius and Kim Hunter as animal psychologist Zira bring a genuine tenderness to the chimpanzees that rubs off onto all of the gentler breed. (The opposite to real life but anyway)
Maurice Evans has a Shakespearean charisma as Dr Zaius and as a boy Linda Harrison as Nova is a voluptuous fantasy to rival Raquel Welch.
This is one of those movies that opened a very young John Doe’s mind and had him look on existence differently. After watching it again recently I realized Planet of the Apes stands the test of time because it remains sadly so relevant.
The retrograde trailer here.
Here's a clip from the opening of the film, pre ape.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Cheers JD, nice work.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
How true. The whole concept behind this film is really very pertinent... more than you would think when you hear the words 'alien monkey movie'.
Nice.
Michaelie
Comment by Chris Collings
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Chris
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Mountain Fog
cheers
fog
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Perhaps one day I'll try again to watch it. Barring that, I'll watch the end of the flick!
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Remember as a kid watching this for the first time on TV.
The image Charlton Heston and that final scene still sits in firmly in my mind along with the almost haunting effect it had.
Thanks for rekindling the memories.
MNG
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Sorry for the delay in replies and lack of posts, I moved house and have been of line for 2 weeks now, but I'm back now baby...
Enjoyed reading your comments and have to agree that imagining the ending on the original cinema release is a delight.