Being a history teacher, i used this movie as an example of how some try to keep history from others to keep them dumb and why its important to know your history.
I'm majoring in history n adore all these movies, n that lesson is exactly why I'm getting into the profession! 🫶🏽🤍 so glad generations after mine are still being shown this masterpiece !
But how do you know as a history teacher that the history you teach is actually true 🤔 I do believe that all what we know is only a fraction of what is true.
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJbasically you discover that the spacecraft did some kind of loop and ended up back on Earth 2 thousand years after Earth had a nuclear war. Humanity became primitive and the apes advanced. You may or may not have noticed that the estimates Cornelius made of the centuries of the artifacts in the cave added up to 2 thousand years.
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ The 3 orangutans were doing see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil ancient MEME. Yup, the ancients had memes. This one represented by 3 monkeys doing the same. In the movie it's both an intentional pun, but it also means "closed mind" who refuses to see, to listen, or to consider new ideas.
This is fantastic to see young people discover these classic films for the first time. It shows that the “old” films still have impact and relevance. This ending is still one of the greatest movie twists in history.
When this movie was made it was the height of the Cold War and everyone believed that nuclear holocaust was a real possibility. This was a fantastic anti war movie.
It's not just that. There was a lot of racial tension. It was written by Rob Serling who did The Twilight Zone. Also Science vs Religion. A lot of things.
Technically it still IS a possibility Nuclear weapons didn't go away if anything they got worse We just grew comfortable seeing how it failed to happen
@@whade62000 True. And today Russia is a fascist state again, directly attacking a peaceful European neighbour supported by NATO. That's hotter than any of the proxy wars during the Cold War. And I don't feel like the height of escalation in that war has been reached yet. Thinking about the atmosphere in the Cold War, I'm astonished how easily people today are able to ignore the threat, even suggesting to just abandon Ukraine and let Putin do his thing, as if it had no consequence. Maybe we've just become desensitised to it because Putin and his Propagandists have openly threatened a nuclear war every other day since 2014.
Remember taylor looked at the year clock at the beginning said 3957 year. 2000 yrs past. Zira and cornelius went BACK in time and changed the future, had caesar the baby chimp who could talk, and educated all the apes of the world. That's how it eventually came to this setting with apes smart and humans mutes. It's the catch to the series on how apes changed from humans. They really didn't. It was zira and cornelius going into the past, from Taylor going into a time warp into the future, and zira changed the future. Scientists believe time is like many rivers. which one do we take.
I am 70 yo and saw this in a theater. At the end, people were stunned into silence, then burst into applause. There are 3 sequels/prequels from this era that explain the how it all happened. I watch all 4 of them every couple years. Should check into the next Planet of the Apes movies from the 1960-1970 era. Gave me great pleasure watching you guys trying to figure it all out and loved the response to the ending.
Taylor's spaceship malfunctioned, and they went in a huge circle. There were hints of this--they weren't awakened until the ship was crash-landing. At least one of the sleeping vats malfunctioned. This post-apocalyptic theme was actually pretty common in sci fi books and movies of the 60s--the Cold War fear of nuclear war was far more heavy on peoples' consciousness than it is now. The humans in the movie are descendants of the survivors of the nuclear holocaust, who somehow lost their ability to speak. It's never explained how, but it was necessary for the plot to work. Dr. Zaius knew. He knew humanity had reached intelligence and civilization first, and wiped itself out. That's why he was so savage in his critique of humanity when he was talking to Taylor at the end. He was probably the most informed ape in the region, and he knew what humanity was capable of, and this is why he feared any future rise of humanity. Note at the end how he seemed to even take a somewhat kindly tone, when he said "his destiny". He feared and hated humanity, but not necessarily Taylor in particular. Many of the questions Asia and BJ raise--basically--how did this all happen? Are answered in a subsequent series of sequels, in this order: Beneath the Planet of the Apes Escape from the Planet of the Apes Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Battle for the Planet of the Apes And then remakes and sequels to that in the 2000s. When you have time, this movie is worth at least one rewatch. Look at the foreshadowing--what Taylor says before he enters his sleeping chamber--and how that question is answered. His cynicism throughout the early part of the movie. The movie is a dark, pessimistic examination of human nature. The apes are foils--that show us what we are--at least our dark side. This movie, and it's sequels, was wildly popular in the late 60s/early 70s, when I was a kid. They eventually launched a short-lived TV series, and even an animated series, and merchandising galore--school lunch boxes, toys, posters, everything. The 1968 original is now considered a classic sci fi film, and the ending is considered one of the greatest in movie history. 1968 was a good year for sci fi--and if you check out the other great 1968 sci fi movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, I encourage it, but beware that the pacing is very slow. But the reward is amazing. It will blow your mind if you are patient and stay with it. Be aware that it is a movie that asks more questions than it answers, and (this is important) you are not necessarily supposed to understand what happens at the end.
If the spaceship was programmed to find an earth like planet it definitely did it's job. Why was Dr. Zeus so afraid of apes finding out humans were once very advanced? They obviously ain't no more.
The time travel phenomenon they experienced is known as a "Haslian Curve"" and it's mentioned in the movie. I also thought it was interesting that the only astronaut who doesn't survive the trip is female. This opens up the scenario where Taylor as the new "Adam" adopts "Nova" as his new "Eve".
@@SupportGamin2024 I would call them reboots, not prequels. They don't appear to be connected to the original 5 movies in any way, although, there were a ton of homages to "Planet of the Apes" in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
fun fact: the "God damn them all to hell" line usually will get played uncut in tv edit versions of the film (even tho "god damn" usually has the "god" part bleeped in movies and tv shows). the reason being that Heston himself pushed to have the line left in. He argued that it wasn't a blasphemy or "using the lord's name in vain". that Taylor was literally calling on god to damn the humans that had died to hell for destroying the world. his argument worked.
I saw this moving in the theater when it came out, at age 14, and when Taylor comes upon the Statue of Liberty, there was a huge gasp and mouths hanging open from the movie audience, as the conclusion was a BIG TWIST and SHOCK.
It was funny that Earth was BJ's first guess.... story-wise, they were headed into wayyyy deep space, outbound... they werent headed home, so it couldnt possibility be Earth.... right?
I am 60 years old and I find it pleasing to see that the movie I watched as a little boy, enjoyed, and in a way blew my mind, is today, still blowing the mind of those who wasn't even alive in 2000. As a kid I remember thinking the year 2,000 is going to be so cool. We will have flying cars like the Jetsons. We will have so many cool things. I feel blessed to have see the development of color TV, Having more than five TV channels, us driving a car on the moon, microwaves, telephones that are not stuck to a wall or on a table, not having to memorize all your friends phone numbers, the invention of the hand held calculator, the home computer, hard drives having more capacity as computers got smaller, and of course.... The Internet! When I was a kid in the 60s, the old movies either didn't have sound or where not that good and of course they were grainy and in black and white. This movie (Planet of the Apes) was way ahead of it's time just like 2001 a space odyssey. Both are from the 60s and both are in high resolution and in color. If you haven't seen 2001 a space odyssey, watch that, the ending is kind of like this movie. It lets you decide.
Charlton Heston starred in a number of iconic science-fiction movies including: - 'Planet of the Apes' (1968) - 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' (1970) - 'The Omega Man' (1971) - 'Soylent Green' (1973) :)
The reason for Taylor's sinister laugh when Landon was putting up the little american flag at the beginning of the film was because it was 2,000 years later and the U.S. was unlikely to still exist, so he thought what was the point of planting a flag.
Plus it just seems a desert, like The Moon. And like The Moon claiming something as a colony is backward and silly, plus it's not like it seems it can help humankind.
@@hyacinthlynch843 That though represents human civilisation than just the US I assume. Being Hollywood they were bound to have him land where the US was.
James Whitmore, who played one of the apes on the council, played Brooks Hatlen (the old man who was released and hanged himself) in the Shawshank Redemption . I saw this movie when I was 11 years old at my local theater. One of the big fears in 1968 was of a nuclear holocaust between United States and USSR. The premise of the film is that that a nuclear conflict reduced the human race to a bunch of savages and apes rose to ascendancy in the evolutionary pyramid. The forbidden zone is presumably where one of the nuclear strikes took place and contains evidence of human civilization that predates that of the apes. That's why Dr. Zayas and the council want to keep that knowledge hidden. Great reaction you guys! You're always a blast to watch! Keep doing what you're doing!❤
That's right! One of those councils was indeed Brooks of Shawshank. Even sounded just like him. I thought part 3 was a little unrealistic that zira, Cornelius and a scientist pulled taylors ship from that lake and fixed it up by the time taylor pressed the doomsday bomb which Zira later told the CIA she watched the earth blow up meaning they completely overhauled that ship in the second movie duration?? Impossible. How could they know how to fix a rocket ship when zira didn't even understand a paper airplane.
@@Artificialintelligentle Whaddya gonna do? The studio wanted the third sequel and were willing to finance it despite the obvious logical leaps in the script! It's sci-fi! Prior to Star Wars, nobody took any sci-fi project seriously although the scripts of all three movies included tons of satire and social commentary disguised as entertainment. I've watched all three. I like all three, but the original to me is still the best. I prefer this series over the more recent CGI ape series, probably cause I'm an old fart! 🤷♂️👍🥸
The crew of the spaceship didn't travel through space ..... They traveled through time. They left Earth and inadvertently returned to it, thousands of years later. During that time, the humans had destroyed all that they had built, themselves included. The only survivors of the catastrophe were the few small bands of humans that remained, after the apes took over the world. In order to keep the ape society from suffering the same demise, the elders and lawmakers had forbidden any knowledge that existed, which proved that humans were originally the superior beings. Near the end, when Dr. Zaius stated to Taylor that "You may not like what you find," and told Dr. Zira and Cornelius that Taylor was about to "Find his destiny," Dr. Zaius already knew what had happened to the humans and didn't want that for the apes. That's why he was so adamant about denying the truth, and destroying evidence.
This movie, esp the ending, was absolutely mind-blowing for audiences in 1968. And Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame, wrote that ending. IMO the best of this franchise. Loved your reactions and thanks for posting.
I would argue that the reboot trilogy is better because it explains how the humans became muse and how the apes gained the ability to speak. If you look too deep the ending is a major flaw. Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. That's not how planetary physics work. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was. In the book they actually travel to another planet and the apes speak a foreign language which the protagonist learns.
@@cvonbarron _"Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was."_ You're missing the point of the movie. Movies are not about 100% realism. What about _Star Wars_ where every planet the characters go to has breathable air and each character can talk to each other even though they speak different languages? _Planet of the Apes_ is just meant to be a sci-fi allegory about how the hubris of mankind could very well lead to our own destruction, that's it! That's all it is. Having the apes speak English is just a contrivance of the plot so that the characters can communicate with each other. Otherwise, how would the writers have the characters communicate? It's like how in older war movies, the Germans and the Japanese speak English instead of German and Japanese. Same thing, a contrivance of the plot, so that the soldiers from both sides can communicate with each other. It doesn't matter!
@@cvonbarron _"I would argue that the reboot trilogy is better because it explains how the humans became muse and how the apes gained the ability to speak"_ All those details don't make the new movies better. The details of how exactly apes took over and why humans became mute isn't all that important. The most important thing about the original _Planet of the Apes_ is the message of the film. THAT's what everyone remembers after they see it. Not the details of how the apes took over.
@@cvonbarron _"Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. That's not how planetary physics work. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was."_ And also, the apes speaking English and the planet having a breathable atmosphere are NOT clues to the audience from the filmmakers saying _"hey, this is earth."_ It's a MOVIE, a science fiction one no less. Every planet that humans go to in _Star Wars_ has a breathable atmosphere too but we don't question that. And also, every species in _Star Wars_ speaks different languages as well (like Chewbacca, Jabba the Hutt etc.) and yet Luke and Han Solo have full on conversations with those characters. So, when you think about it, it makes no sense for two characters to have a conversation speaking completely different languages to each other, but we as the audience don't question it. This is what we call a _contrivance of the plot_ that viewers just have to accept so that the story can actually be told and so that the movie can be watchable AND enjoyable. Nobody wants to see Han Solo and Luke switch from English to Wookie speak when talking to Chewie every other sentence in the movie. And _Planet of the Apes_ is a two-hour movie and it takes place over the course of a month maybe. There's no time in the story for Taylor to learn a new ape language just so he can communicate with the other main characters Zira and Cornelius. We don't need to see that-- that's not the point of the movie. And also, who would even WANT to see that? Who wants to see or hear the characters in _Planet of the Apes_ speak a completely made-up language for two hours? NO ONE. Not to mention how are the writers of the film supposed to come up with a completely made-up gibberish language for the two-hour runtime? That's not how stories and movies are written, brah. We the audience just accept that the characters speak a common language so that the story can actually be told for the sake of convenience. It's like how German and Japanese soldiers all speak English to American soldiers in old World War II movies from the 1950s and 60s, instead of speaking in their native tongue. It's just for the sake of convenience for the storytellers. Cuz in the end, it doesn't really matter. Same with _Planet of the Apes,_ the fact the apes speak English ain't the point. The message of the movie is what matters most. And lastly about the breathable atmosphere issue, what would you have preferred? That Taylor wears his spacesuit throughout the whole movie? Again, no one wants to see that and also, the story takes place over weeks and there isn't enough oxygen in there to last. So, how does the screenwriter solve this storytelling issue? Oh, I know, just make the planet's atmosphere breathable for the main human characters. Problem solved cuz who cares? Again, a _contrivance of the plot_ as we call it. Since you get so hung up on these details, you're completely missing the point of the movie and the point of movies and storytelling in general. If you stop letting such minute plot issues bother you, you might actually enjoy movies and storytelling a lot more.
Our family saw this movie all crammed in our station wagon at our local drive in, in the late 60's. Going to the drive in for a movie was such a treat. I was 8-9 years old. This movie was scary to me. Those scare crow warning things freaked me out. Then the ending scene seeing the statue of liberty was the best mind boggling part.
The tragic irony is that Taylor finds out Dr. Zaius was right. The whole movie we see Zaius as a coward and a liar, which he is, but then we find out his fear is completely justified. Taylor stares into the sickening mirror of the truth and finally breaks down: To see a statue dedicated to liberty, melted by nuclear fire and buried in time is Zaius's closing argument. His pathetic worldview is found to be a tragic necessity that humanity's madness and evil were solely responsible for creating.
As this one puts you in the position of being enslaved and having no rights (and themes of class, prejudice, forbidden knowledge), Soylent Green has the same depth. Its a future where women don't have rights, where the peasants are desperately hungry and mistreated - there are themes of feminism and overpopulation, and imbalance of rights. Not as watchable because Soylent Green leans into the bleakness with just a couple of moments of spectacular beauty/plot twist.
You're not lying I saw it in tv in1973 in Cameron Texas crazy then my mom very cool person took me to buy planet of the Apes toys and figurines loved that man I wish I had not messed those up who knew right never forget the scene where you see Heston and other humans running through the jungle when the Apes are first seen chasing them with the sticks hitting the corn stalks brilliant never will I forget that
The fact that the ending wasn't spoiled for you after 56 years and it's multiple parodies in pop culture is mind blowing in itself. Another fantastic reaction!
This is no sequel/prequel, it's the original and to me it will always be the best. A brilliant script by Rod Serling of "The Twilight Zone" fame, filled with satire about racism, creationism vs. evolution and other issues. Also, it ALWAYS gives me chills when Taylor finds the Statue of Liberty on the coast and says, "You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!". Charlton Heston truly was one of the greatest actors to ever live!
the lament from the liberty scene is the anguish i feel with the state of the world now. what all has changed :( just like the original "the day the earth stood still"
Rod Serling did NOT write this movie. Serling came up with the idea for the twist, but his reveal was much different than what we see in the film. There was no "You blew it up, D you all to H" moment. Michael Wilson actually wrote the script, so all "satire about racism, creationism vs. evolution" came from him. It's not a satire by the way. Serling even said 95% of the finished script was all Wilson and didn't want to take credit. But the studio wanted to honor Serling for his contributions. And yet, people only mention Serling with this film when his influence had little to do with it aside from the idea for the ending.
@@joshmaxwell7968 Are you talking about the _Twilight Zone_ episode _"I Shot an Arrow into the Air"_ that used the same twist ending from _Planet of the Apes,_ where the planet that the astronaut crew landed on was earth all along? If so, Serling did write the teleplay of that episode (teleplay is the word for a script for a TV episode), yes. HOWEVER, the story outline for that episode was actually written by Madelon Champion whom Serling purchased the idea from. So, it's not known if the "it was Earth all along" twist ending was in Champion's story outline or if Serling came up with it when he fleshed out the entire script for the show.
This is a great and classic movie, and your reactions were priceless and so glad that you enjoyed it! If you guys haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey yet that should be next, another timeless classic from the same era!👍👍
One of the all-time classic twist movie endings. It was all but entirely known in pop culture, but the beauty of time passing is that so many people watch the movie now without ever having heard about it, so can watch it with fresh surprise.
There was nothing like planning a "cough" sick day home from school or a sleepover when a Planet of the Apes movie marathon was on TV. I loved these movies so much as a child.
The effects for the Dawn of Man sequence in 2001 (also a 1968 release) were an order of magnitude more convincing. Granted, they only screamed and grunted. Might not have worked so well if the apes had to be able to speak English, but on their own the 2001 ape effects are mind-boggling.
I remember seeing this movie in the theater as a child and the whole place lost it's mind when they panned out to the Statue of Liberty! Both of your reactions brought it all back again especially BJ!, people were standing up shouting at the screen. Great reaction, thank you
2 great sci fi movies were released in 1968: This one and the GOAT sci fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you can handle 1960s pacing, it's one of the greatest films of all time.
Then in '71 came another great one: The Omega Man. Also from a novel that spawned multiple movies: The Last Man on Earth (1964 w/Vincent Price) and then I Am Legend in 2007 with Will Smith. Heston followed that up in '73 with Soylent Green. That would be a good one to react to!
You want to hear something crazy? Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey were not only both released in 1968. They were released on the same day, April 3.
I first saw Planet of the Apes when I was a kid in 1973. The ending blew my mind. No other film in the POTA franchise has ever held my imagination as the original. Nothing compares.
I remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was a kid...and that closing scene with the Statue of Liberty..the audience did a collective gasp! Awesome and unexpected.
I was 13 when I saw the movie with my parents. The audience gasped and fell silent at the ending. You could've heard a pin drop. Still one of the best science fiction movies ever.
The best part of the final scene was the prolonged shot of the statue, the sound of the ocean, the fade to black, and the sound of the ocean still going……all to prolong the horrifying feeling of despair and fatalism….
The ending of Spaceballs parodies the ending of this movie with the villains climbing out of the nose of the maid statue on the beach and the apes riding up to proclaim "there goes the planet".
There have been a lot of sequels to "Planet of the Apes" and offshoots, but the original is a classic and by far the best. It's one of the greatest movies of all time, really. 4
Those ape costumes and make-up were cutting edge new features that amazed audiences and inspired many Halloween costumes for years! The new re-makes are getting so good you almost can't tell they're CGI! Fun reactions, as always, you two!
This film series has a special place in my heart. My grandfather who raised me like a son loved it so much, this and the original TWILIGHT ZONE. My mom claimed that her and her siblings were forced to watch them all the time which is why she cant stand it but every time I see them I think of those days I spent watching these films with him and having really good conversations about science fiction. Seeing you both react to this brought back some great memories and that twist ending is legendary. I never read the books but I have always wanted to check them out alongside the movie to see what they changed. And even though it is a very underrated film, I recommend the Tim Burton remake with Mark Whalberg, the effects and acting in that are awesome.
Heston's odd laugh at the very beginning - marooned, lost in space and time, food running out in 3 days - is a "We're so F-ed!" laugh. On the edge of madness. Your questions at the end are answered in the next movies. Not sure if you want to see them, but this series was kind of a B movie phenomenon back then, and it eventually spawned a TV show as well. So there's something good to it. And of course they also did a modern remake of the films, as you know.
Unfortunately for many, many years, the cover of the VHS and DVD rental boxes had the last scene with the Statue of Liberty as the cover art. So stupid and gave the ending away if someone hadn’t seen it.
The move was written by Rod Serling of "The Twilight Zone", that's why the ending was so ironic. There was already a book but it was way different than the movie.
Filming took place between May 21 and August 10, 1967, in California, Utah, and Arizona, with desert sequences shot in and around Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The film's final "closed" cost was $5.8 million.
Remember seeing it at a theater, in the early 70’s, and leave the place in complete state of shock! I had no clue what the end would be. And what about that eerie soundtrack? Guys, that was haunting at the time!!!! ✌️
In the book, Taylor gives a speech to the ape assembly. The ovation was thunderous because the apes applauded with hands and feet. Taylor was able to fix the spaceship and returned to Earth.
Still my favorite incarnation of Planet of the Apes. All five of the original movies played a huge role in my imaginative play as a kid. I had several of the action figures, the tree fort play-set, and watched both the live-action and the animated television series.
The second movie isn't really that great, but the third and all that follow explains the HOW and WHY of what Taylor found when he came back to Earth. It was the first and only time I've seen a franchise where the movies make a complete circular arc, yet also shows that the future CAN change. I hope you watch the rest of them; a truly wonderfully unique movie franchise. Thank you for reacting to this. :)
When I was young, my neighbor took me and my brother with him and his daughters to the drive-in. we watched all 5 of the planet of the apes one summer. Shout out to Mike King, Dawn, and Karen. I wish I could go back in time and do it again. ❤
Before Star Wars this was the biggest movie franchise out there. Grew up with these films, toys, comics and cartoon series in the 70’s. It was everywhere.
This movie came out in 1968. This was the height of the Cold War. Children practiced hiding under their desks during school to be prepared for nuclear war. The forbidden zone was a nuclear wasteland that due to its radioactivity was deadly and off limits. Only after this long period of time was it beginning to be safe for travel. This whole movie was a nuclear holocaust/anti war film.
That was never done in the 60s. I started school in 1964. Nuclear war was never discussed. We had normal, everyday fire drills. I never heard any official at school mention nuclear war or survival tactics Some of that went on in the 50s, but much less than presented in current pop culture.
@@michaelbrennick I was referring to the "Duck and Cover" drills that school children were subjected to. I know they resurrected them during the Cuban missile crisis as well. I posted about the fear of nuclear war being prevalent during the Cold War and I thought that our two youngling hosts (compared to you and I) might be missing that aspect of the movie.
@@michaelbrennick I'm a 60s kid myself, and we absolutely had what they called air-raid drills where you would hide under your desk when the alarm sounded. If you were in the hall you were supposed to stand with your face to the wall until the alarm stopped. I can still remember... it had a very specific ring like a fire bell. Ding. Ding. Ding., that just went on and on. This is Chicago early 60s, the second city at the time, we would have been one of the primary targets once the bombs started flying. Maybe they didn't do it in smaller towns, IDK. They never used the word nuclear, but everyone knew it was about the atomic bomb.
@@flubblertI went to Boston Catholic parish grammar schools and Jesuit high school in the 60s and 70s. We had none of that. The only hint of it was the civil defense signs that marked the basement of the school as a shelter. None of it was explained.
With all due respect, I wasn't alive in the 1960s but I honestly don't see how hiding under a desk would do any good if a bomb (nuclear or otherwise) was dropped. @@flubblert
Nova, God's gift to mankind. P.s.Humanity blew themselves up in some war, some nuclear war and radiation had the effect on the planet changing apes and man - kind of switching their roles as time went by for thousands of years.
"Is it earth?" It is like the best question ever! Also, This has your greatest post movie discussion yet! I loved watching and listening to you two. Blessings to those who suggested it.
Guys, the lead actor who played Taylor, was Charlton Heston, who was also the rancher in Tombstone who let Doc stay overnight at his home when he got really sick and was bleeding and almost fell off his horse. He is one of the leading actors of his time.
"Get yer stinkin paws off me you damned dirty APE!" Lotta great Heston lines in this one. In the scene where he escapes briefly and delivers that line, Charleton was pretty sick I've heard, hence the super sweatiness.
I haven't watched the 1968 Planet of the Apes in about 20 years. I have the complete collection on VHS. I need to dust off my VCR and watch them again.
You guys will be so happy that you watch this version first because when you do watch the new version you will see so many little homages to this original film
Reading the comments section one day after Asia's and BJ's reaction and seeing everyone talk about Charlton Heston, let me be the ONE who gives major acting flowers to actor Roddy McDowall (along with Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans and others) for exceptional acting under pounds of makeup and fur. I know Roddy endured four hours every single morning of makeup application before shooting began and two hours of makeup removal at the end of every shooting day. He drank liquids for his lunch because he couldn't eat anything once the appliances that were placed around his mouth. He sweated buckets beneath the costume and fur on his head, neck, and hands. With all of that, through exaggerating facial gestures and throwing his voice past the four inches of space between his own lips and the end of his chimpanzee "lips" and contorting his body posture, Roddy gives a wonderful and entertaining performance as Cornelius. While he wasn't in the second film of the franchise due to a conflict (he was directing his first film), he starred in the other three sequels AND the 1974 TV show of the same name. Roddy WAS the heart of "The Planet of the Apes" franchise -- just another feather in the cap of his seven decade acting career as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood history from his years as a child star through his many Broadway and TV appearances until his last film in voiceover appearance in Disney's "A Bug's Life". What a terrific actor he was!
Those statues were everywhere back in the late 60's and early 70s, so I didn't think they would catch it. They are too young on most of the references in this movie. They weren't alive during the cold war, and if they were, they were at the very end of it.
Can't wait to see you guys react to the next couple of movies. When I was a kid I was obsessed with the apes in these. The makeup effects were so far beyond anything I had ever seen at that point.
I am so greatful that you started the multitude of Planet of the Apes movie by starting at the very very very beginning. If you choose to watch some of the more recent movies you will now understand the easter eggs and the significance of the stories as well. I was 1 years old when this film came out but it has some of the most iconic famous scenes that to this day people still get a kick out of. 🦍🎞👍 BTW, the image of the apes who covered their ears, eyes and mouth is referring to a very old saying and imagery. It refers to the phrase, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil." 🙈🙉🙊😉
One of my all-time fav movies. I saw this movie as a kid when it came out in the theater. I about crapped my pants when they showed the female astronaut all mummy like. 😦
The ending probably is one of the biggest unforeseen twists in cinematic history !
The ending of the first sequel is mind blowing...
Absolutely!!!!
This ending written by Rod Serling.
@@williamj.dovejr.8613 "A green and insignificant planet is now dead."
Shhhhhh.
This is the best version of The Planet of the Apes.
@isleJane It would answer all the questions they had at the end if they did watch the entire series.
Asia's OCD kicked in. Lmao😂
Gladly, your 100th like! Because you are so right! 👍👍
An absolute classic. The subsequent Apes films fall very short of the mark.
I disagree. All the Apes films were amazing, and no puffed up snobby critic prick is going to convince me otherwise.
Being a history teacher, i used this movie as an example of how some try to keep history from others to keep them dumb and why its important to know your history.
Excellent lesson!
First Nations people must love you. :)
I'm majoring in history n adore all these movies, n that lesson is exactly why I'm getting into the profession! 🫶🏽🤍 so glad generations after mine are still being shown this masterpiece !
TOO late!.....We are ALL dumb now....lol...(Sarcasm)....for real though....Everyone should know an=bout history...Sadly don't
But how do you know as a history teacher that the history you teach is actually true 🤔 I do believe that all what we know is only a fraction of what is true.
"Get your filthy paws off me, you damn dirty apes!" My favorite movie line of all time.
"You know what they say, 'human see, human do'." Is also a gem.
AGREED!!
Except the quote is, “Get your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!”
Wow! That's awesome that you went into the way back machine and started from the beginning. Congratulations! You guys are the best!
Thanks so much!!
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJbasically you discover that the spacecraft did some kind of loop and ended up back on Earth 2 thousand years after Earth had a nuclear war. Humanity became primitive and the apes advanced. You may or may not have noticed that the estimates Cornelius made of the centuries of the artifacts in the cave added up to 2 thousand years.
@@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ The 3 orangutans were doing see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil ancient MEME. Yup, the ancients had memes. This one represented by 3 monkeys doing the same. In the movie it's both an intentional pun, but it also means "closed mind" who refuses to see, to listen, or to consider new ideas.
The Way-Back Machine!?!? I guess we know how old you are, eh. ;-)
@@jimgore1278It's still around.
This is one of the best anti war / anti racism science fiction films ever made.
Yes! Such a powerful and awesome movie. And that crazy ending courtesy of Mr Rod Serling. 😅 😎
Agreed! Enemy Mine is up there too.
This is fantastic to see young people discover these classic films for the first time. It shows that the “old” films still have impact and relevance. This ending is still one of the greatest movie twists in history.
Charlton Heston had the trifecta of sci-fi films back then: this, Soylent Green, and The Omega Man. All great films.
Whatever jondra charlton heston took would have been good. He was a great actor and a great person. He is one of the greatest americans of all time
Soylent Green is a truly dystopian nightmare of a movie
And all apocalyptic or dystopian
The man is a science fiction LEGEND! Also he's got that classic cool Hollywood charm about him.
When this movie was made it was the height of the Cold War and everyone believed that nuclear holocaust was a real possibility. This was a fantastic anti war movie.
It's not just that. There was a lot of racial tension. It was written by Rob Serling who did The Twilight Zone. Also Science vs Religion. A lot of things.
Technically it still IS a possibility
Nuclear weapons didn't go away if anything they got worse
We just grew comfortable seeing how it failed to happen
@@whade62000 True. And today Russia is a fascist state again, directly attacking a peaceful European neighbour supported by NATO. That's hotter than any of the proxy wars during the Cold War. And I don't feel like the height of escalation in that war has been reached yet. Thinking about the atmosphere in the Cold War, I'm astonished how easily people today are able to ignore the threat, even suggesting to just abandon Ukraine and let Putin do his thing, as if it had no consequence. Maybe we've just become desensitised to it because Putin and his Propagandists have openly threatened a nuclear war every other day since 2014.
@@whade62000 We USA to stay in USA. And maybe world peace would come.
Remember taylor looked at the year clock at the beginning said 3957 year. 2000 yrs past. Zira and cornelius went BACK in time and changed the future, had caesar the baby chimp who could talk, and educated all the apes of the world. That's how it eventually came to this setting with apes smart and humans mutes. It's the catch to the series on how apes changed from humans. They really didn't. It was zira and cornelius going into the past, from Taylor going into a time warp into the future, and zira changed the future. Scientists believe time is like many rivers. which one do we take.
I am 70 yo and saw this in a theater. At the end, people were stunned into silence, then burst into applause. There are 3 sequels/prequels from this era that explain the how it all happened. I watch all 4 of them every couple years. Should check into the next Planet of the Apes movies from the 1960-1970 era. Gave me great pleasure watching you guys trying to figure it all out and loved the response to the ending.
4 sequels. Escape. Beneath. Conquest and Battle for the planet of the apes.
really?
'cause everyone says this has a great Serling twist ending,
but we knew he was on Earth the whole time
I don't get it?
The look on your face when he found the broken Statue of Liberty is priceless!
I believe that half of the Statue of Liberty was suppose to look buried due to the elements over a couple thousand years.
One of the most iconic endings in movie history.
This movie was made during the red scare: when we all lived in fear of nuclear annihilation.
When the 3 apes were covering their ears, eyes and mouth, this represents the saying "Hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil".
🙈🙉🙊
Surprising some don't readily know this. Lol
@@jblazer9804are you REALLY surprised??? lol
When they did that the studio execs flipped out and wanted it removed. Either by defiance or negotiation the scene stayed in.
@louisborselio8608 really ? Why was that part concerning to them ?
Taylor's spaceship malfunctioned, and they went in a huge circle. There were hints of this--they weren't awakened until the ship was crash-landing. At least one of the sleeping vats malfunctioned.
This post-apocalyptic theme was actually pretty common in sci fi books and movies of the 60s--the Cold War fear of nuclear war was far more heavy on peoples' consciousness than it is now.
The humans in the movie are descendants of the survivors of the nuclear holocaust, who somehow lost their ability to speak. It's never explained how, but it was necessary for the plot to work.
Dr. Zaius knew. He knew humanity had reached intelligence and civilization first, and wiped itself out. That's why he was so savage in his critique of humanity when he was talking to Taylor at the end. He was probably the most informed ape in the region, and he knew what humanity was capable of, and this is why he feared any future rise of humanity. Note at the end how he seemed to even take a somewhat kindly tone, when he said "his destiny". He feared and hated humanity, but not necessarily Taylor in particular.
Many of the questions Asia and BJ raise--basically--how did this all happen? Are answered in a subsequent series of sequels, in this order:
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
Battle for the Planet of the Apes
And then remakes and sequels to that in the 2000s.
When you have time, this movie is worth at least one rewatch. Look at the foreshadowing--what Taylor says before he enters his sleeping chamber--and how that question is answered. His cynicism throughout the early part of the movie.
The movie is a dark, pessimistic examination of human nature. The apes are foils--that show us what we are--at least our dark side.
This movie, and it's sequels, was wildly popular in the late 60s/early 70s, when I was a kid. They eventually launched a short-lived TV series, and even an animated series, and merchandising galore--school lunch boxes, toys, posters, everything.
The 1968 original is now considered a classic sci fi film, and the ending is considered one of the greatest in movie history.
1968 was a good year for sci fi--and if you check out the other great 1968 sci fi movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, I encourage it, but beware that the pacing is very slow. But the reward is amazing. It will blow your mind if you are patient and stay with it. Be aware that it is a movie that asks more questions than it answers, and (this is important) you are not necessarily supposed to understand what happens at the end.
If the spaceship was programmed to find an earth like planet it definitely did it's job. Why was Dr. Zeus so afraid of apes finding out humans were once very advanced? They obviously ain't no more.
The new films aren't remakes they are prequels/Reboots(Pre-Boot)
The time travel phenomenon they experienced is known as a "Haslian Curve"" and it's mentioned in the movie. I also thought it was interesting that the only astronaut who doesn't survive the trip is female. This opens up the scenario where Taylor as the new "Adam" adopts "Nova" as his new "Eve".
@@SupportGamin2024 I would call them reboots, not prequels. They don't appear to be connected to the original 5 movies in any way, although, there were a ton of homages to "Planet of the Apes" in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
fun fact: the "God damn them all to hell" line usually will get played uncut in tv edit versions of the film (even tho "god damn" usually has the "god" part bleeped in movies and tv shows). the reason being that Heston himself pushed to have the line left in. He argued that it wasn't a blasphemy or "using the lord's name in vain". that Taylor was literally calling on god to damn the humans that had died to hell for destroying the world. his argument worked.
Wow, great story.
Interesting! and he's right. He was a religious man but thought the line here was appropriate.
That man is a fantastic bullshit artist.
@@wetwilly01 nice way to talk about a dead man
Humans didn't destroy the world though
I saw this moving in the theater when it came out, at age 14, and when Taylor comes upon the Statue of Liberty, there was a huge gasp and mouths hanging open from the movie audience, as the conclusion was a BIG TWIST and SHOCK.
“My assumption is that they’re on the planet of the apes.”
10/10
Considering humans are classified as part of the "Great Apes" (specifically, Hominidae), I agree... they were spot on!
BJ at 12:31 : " "Why would they be on the Earth if it's called Planet of The Apes?"
Why indeed...
It was funny that Earth was BJ's first guess.... story-wise, they were headed into wayyyy deep space, outbound... they werent headed home, so it couldnt possibility be Earth.... right?
but... humans ARE a type of ape
Earth IS a planet of the apes...
...seeeee...?
I am 60 years old and I find it pleasing to see that the movie I watched as a little boy, enjoyed, and in a way blew my mind, is today, still blowing the mind of those who wasn't even alive in 2000. As a kid I remember thinking the year 2,000 is going to be so cool. We will have flying cars like the Jetsons. We will have so many cool things. I feel blessed to have see the development of color TV, Having more than five TV channels, us driving a car on the moon, microwaves, telephones that are not stuck to a wall or on a table, not having to memorize all your friends phone numbers, the invention of the hand held calculator, the home computer, hard drives having more capacity as computers got smaller, and of course.... The Internet! When I was a kid in the 60s, the old movies either didn't have sound or where not that good and of course they were grainy and in black and white. This movie (Planet of the Apes) was way ahead of it's time just like 2001 a space odyssey. Both are from the 60s and both are in high resolution and in color. If you haven't seen 2001 a space odyssey, watch that, the ending is kind of like this movie. It lets you decide.
I'm 62 and I agree with every word.
I remember the moon landings too.
Amazing times.
I was born in 1965 and grew up watching these movies. The makeup was revolutionary at the time.
LOVE that you're watching.
Born in 1966. Can't wait until they watch the rest of the Planet of the Apes movie series.
My parents were born your year n grew me up watchin em all too ! Raised me right 😭🫶🏽
Revolutionary at the time? It still looks fully convincing today, except perhaps for their mouths when they talk sometimes.
Same!
It ain't too bad now. The important thing was they kept their eyes.
Charlton Heston starred in a number of iconic science-fiction movies including:
- 'Planet of the Apes' (1968)
- 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' (1970)
- 'The Omega Man' (1971)
- 'Soylent Green' (1973)
:)
Ten commandments and Ben Hur
Not in that category but the film MOTHER LODE is a fantastic movie too with him in it
Earthquake
The ending was written by Rod Serling.
Yup! The ending with the Statue of Liberty is not in the book! Rod Serling gave it a "Twilight Zone" twist at the end! Classic movie!
I had no idea, but I do remember that ending gave me nightmares.
The apes at the tribunal were covering their eyes, ears, and mouths. " Hear, see, & speak no evil".
@@lordgrimsdalefaltintine2232 They weren't even on Earth in the book.
Wow, I didn't know that. That's really cool!
The reason for Taylor's sinister laugh when Landon was putting up the little american flag at the beginning of the film was because it was 2,000 years later and the U.S. was unlikely to still exist, so he thought what was the point of planting a flag.
Plus it just seems a desert, like The Moon. And like The Moon claiming something as a colony is backward and silly, plus it's not like it seems it can help humankind.
I think he would have laughed at ANY flag they planted because he thought humanity was a hopeless cause when he left Earth behind.
@@joebloggs396 I don't think the laugh was due to any anti-colonial sentiments. It was Taylor's contempt for Landen's optimism.
I think that was the perfect setup for the ending of movie, because when he sees the Statue of Liberty in ruins he has the opposite reaction.
@@hyacinthlynch843 That though represents human civilisation than just the US I assume. Being Hollywood they were bound to have him land where the US was.
James Whitmore, who played one of the apes on the council, played Brooks Hatlen (the old man who was released and hanged himself) in the Shawshank Redemption .
I saw this movie when I was 11 years old at my local theater. One of the big fears in 1968 was of a nuclear holocaust between United States and USSR. The premise of the film is that that a nuclear conflict reduced the human race to a bunch of savages and apes rose to ascendancy in the evolutionary pyramid. The forbidden zone is presumably where one of the nuclear strikes took place and contains evidence of human civilization that predates that of the apes. That's why Dr. Zayas and the council want to keep that knowledge hidden.
Great reaction you guys! You're always a blast to watch! Keep doing what you're doing!❤
You've obviously seen the 2nd movie? with the bomb? Not very good if i remember correctly, but the 3rd was pretty enjoyable
That's right! One of those councils was indeed Brooks of Shawshank. Even sounded just like him.
I thought part 3 was a little unrealistic that zira, Cornelius and a scientist pulled taylors ship from that lake and fixed it up by the time taylor pressed the doomsday bomb which Zira later told the CIA she watched the earth blow up meaning they completely overhauled that ship in the second movie duration?? Impossible. How could they know how to fix a rocket ship when zira didn't even understand a paper airplane.
@@Artificialintelligentle Whaddya gonna do? The studio wanted the third sequel and were willing to finance it despite the obvious logical leaps in the script! It's sci-fi! Prior to Star Wars, nobody took any sci-fi project seriously although the scripts of all three movies included tons of satire and social commentary disguised as entertainment. I've watched all three. I like all three, but the original to me is still the best. I prefer this series over the more recent CGI ape series, probably cause I'm an old fart! 🤷♂️👍🥸
there were a lot of stars that played apes and of coarse gorillas ,orangutan's. Paul Williams was an orangutan .
It still should be a fear
The crew of the spaceship didn't travel through space ..... They traveled through time. They left Earth and inadvertently returned to it, thousands of years later. During that time, the humans had destroyed all that they had built, themselves included. The only survivors of the catastrophe were the few small bands of humans that remained, after the apes took over the world. In order to keep the ape society from suffering the same demise, the elders and lawmakers had forbidden any knowledge that existed, which proved that humans were originally the superior beings. Near the end, when Dr. Zaius stated to Taylor that "You may not like what you find," and told Dr. Zira and Cornelius that Taylor was about to "Find his destiny," Dr. Zaius already knew what had happened to the humans and didn't want that for the apes. That's why he was so adamant about denying the truth, and destroying evidence.
My favorite line in the movie is when the ape says " Human see, Human do "...The way we always say " Monkey see, Monkey do ".
"I never met an ape I didn't like."
The Simmian Court was doing the 3 Monkeys: Hear no evil, See no Evil, Speak no evil. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Yes indeed.@@KetoKassy
That’s what good sci-fi does, holds a mirror to our own strengths and weaknesses. The whole ape society is very human.
Oh yeah.@@bfdidc6604
One of my all time favourite films. Imagine how crazy this film was for kids in the 70’s, decades before CGI
This movie, esp the ending, was absolutely mind-blowing for audiences in 1968. And Rod Serling, of Twilight Zone fame, wrote that ending. IMO the best of this franchise. Loved your reactions and thanks for posting.
I would argue that the reboot trilogy is better because it explains how the humans became muse and how the apes gained the ability to speak. If you look too deep the ending is a major flaw. Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. That's not how planetary physics work. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was. In the book they actually travel to another planet and the apes speak a foreign language which the protagonist learns.
@@cvonbarron _"Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was."_
You're missing the point of the movie. Movies are not about 100% realism. What about _Star Wars_ where every planet the characters go to has breathable air and each character can talk to each other even though they speak different languages? _Planet of the Apes_ is just meant to be a sci-fi allegory about how the hubris of mankind could very well lead to our own destruction, that's it! That's all it is. Having the apes speak English is just a contrivance of the plot so that the characters can communicate with each other. Otherwise, how would the writers have the characters communicate? It's like how in older war movies, the Germans and the Japanese speak English instead of German and Japanese. Same thing, a contrivance of the plot, so that the soldiers from both sides can communicate with each other. It doesn't matter!
@@cvonbarron _"I would argue that the reboot trilogy is better because it explains how the humans became muse and how the apes gained the ability to speak"_
All those details don't make the new movies better. The details of how exactly apes took over and why humans became mute isn't all that important. The most important thing about the original _Planet of the Apes_ is the message of the film. THAT's what everyone remembers after they see it. Not the details of how the apes took over.
@@cvonbarronThe orginal films also explain that stuff
@@cvonbarron _"Any astronaut who lands on a planet with the same atmosphere and gravity as earth and doesn't immediately realize he's on Earth needs to go back to astronaut school. That's not how planetary physics work. Plus, the fact that the Apes were speaking American English should have tipped off Taylor as to where he was."_
And also, the apes speaking English and the planet having a breathable atmosphere are NOT clues to the audience from the filmmakers saying _"hey, this is earth."_ It's a MOVIE, a science fiction one no less.
Every planet that humans go to in _Star Wars_ has a breathable atmosphere too but we don't question that. And also, every species in _Star Wars_ speaks different languages as well (like Chewbacca, Jabba the Hutt etc.) and yet Luke and Han Solo have full on conversations with those characters. So, when you think about it, it makes no sense for two characters to have a conversation speaking completely different languages to each other, but we as the audience don't question it. This is what we call a _contrivance of the plot_ that viewers just have to accept so that the story can actually be told and so that the movie can be watchable AND enjoyable. Nobody wants to see Han Solo and Luke switch from English to Wookie speak when talking to Chewie every other sentence in the movie.
And _Planet of the Apes_ is a two-hour movie and it takes place over the course of a month maybe. There's no time in the story for Taylor to learn a new ape language just so he can communicate with the other main characters Zira and Cornelius. We don't need to see that-- that's not the point of the movie. And also, who would even WANT to see that? Who wants to see or hear the characters in _Planet of the Apes_ speak a completely made-up language for two hours? NO ONE. Not to mention how are the writers of the film supposed to come up with a completely made-up gibberish language for the two-hour runtime? That's not how stories and movies are written, brah. We the audience just accept that the characters speak a common language so that the story can actually be told for the sake of convenience. It's like how German and Japanese soldiers all speak English to American soldiers in old World War II movies from the 1950s and 60s, instead of speaking in their native tongue. It's just for the sake of convenience for the storytellers. Cuz in the end, it doesn't really matter. Same with _Planet of the Apes,_ the fact the apes speak English ain't the point. The message of the movie is what matters most.
And lastly about the breathable atmosphere issue, what would you have preferred? That Taylor wears his spacesuit throughout the whole movie? Again, no one wants to see that and also, the story takes place over weeks and there isn't enough oxygen in there to last. So, how does the screenwriter solve this storytelling issue? Oh, I know, just make the planet's atmosphere breathable for the main human characters. Problem solved cuz who cares? Again, a _contrivance of the plot_ as we call it. Since you get so hung up on these details, you're completely missing the point of the movie and the point of movies and storytelling in general. If you stop letting such minute plot issues bother you, you might actually enjoy movies and storytelling a lot more.
This came out when I was a kid, and no matter how many times I watch it, that last scene gets me everytime. Iconic ending.
Our family saw this movie all crammed in our station wagon at our local drive in, in the late 60's. Going to the drive in for a movie was such a treat. I was 8-9 years old. This movie was scary to me. Those scare crow warning things freaked me out. Then the ending scene seeing the statue of liberty was the best mind boggling part.
Me, too! It was great. All the kids wore their pajamas.
There's a drive-in not too far from me. It is fun to go.
Me too!!!
Same!!
Sucks they gave away the ending in the thumbnail.
Best sci Fi movie in the 60’s. Shocked audiences with the ending.
It’s definitely up there but 2001: A Space Odyssey is better
@@Ithoughtthiswasamerica No, it isn't.
@@OpenGL4ever yeah it is, even the ape-costumes look better
but why? we know he's on Earth...?
@@Sarah_Gravydog316 - nobody thought that back in the 60’s/70’s. We all thought the spaceship travelled light years away.
The tragic irony is that Taylor finds out Dr. Zaius was right. The whole movie we see Zaius as a coward and a liar, which he is, but then we find out his fear is completely justified. Taylor stares into the sickening mirror of the truth and finally breaks down: To see a statue dedicated to liberty, melted by nuclear fire and buried in time is Zaius's closing argument. His pathetic worldview is found to be a tragic necessity that humanity's madness and evil were solely responsible for creating.
Well said!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Soylent Green is another Charlton Heston movie with a wild twist at the end, just like this one!!! Aloha from Hawaii!!!
How about the Omega Man
Twist? What twist? What’s the big twist?
@@stvbrsn The end of the movie where you find out what green actually is made out of.
As this one puts you in the position of being enslaved and having no rights (and themes of class, prejudice, forbidden knowledge), Soylent Green has the same depth. Its a future where women don't have rights, where the peasants are desperately hungry and mistreated - there are themes of feminism and overpopulation, and imbalance of rights. Not as watchable because Soylent Green leans into the bleakness with just a couple of moments of spectacular beauty/plot twist.
@@FluffyBunnyFeet SG also has an declined environment aspect which yo left out.
You cant imagine being a little boy in the 70s and seeing this movie. A generation X sweet spot for sure.
I saw it as a rerun in the late 1970’s. I was around 12 I think. The ending blew my mind at the time. It’s still an interesting movie now
You're not lying I saw it in tv in1973 in Cameron Texas crazy then my mom very cool person took me to buy planet of the Apes toys and figurines loved that man I wish I had not messed those up who knew right never forget the scene where you see Heston and other humans running through the jungle when the Apes are first seen chasing them with the sticks hitting the corn stalks brilliant never will I forget that
Put the following in RUclips search and it will bring you back (it did for me!): Don Takes Bobby to the movies (Mad Men)
It's about 3 minutes.
The fact that the ending wasn't spoiled for you after 56 years and it's multiple parodies in pop culture is mind blowing in itself. Another fantastic reaction!
This is no sequel/prequel, it's the original and to me it will always be the best. A brilliant script by Rod Serling of "The Twilight Zone" fame, filled with satire about racism, creationism vs. evolution and other issues.
Also, it ALWAYS gives me chills when Taylor finds the Statue of Liberty on the coast and says, "You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!". Charlton Heston truly was one of the greatest actors to ever live!
From the anti war novel by Pierre Boule.
the lament from the liberty scene is the anguish i feel with the state of the world now. what all has changed :( just like the original "the day the earth stood still"
Rod Serling did NOT write this movie. Serling came up with the idea for the twist, but his reveal was much different than what we see in the film. There was no "You blew it up, D you all to H" moment. Michael Wilson actually wrote the script, so all "satire about racism, creationism vs. evolution" came from him. It's not a satire by the way. Serling even said 95% of the finished script was all Wilson and didn't want to take credit. But the studio wanted to honor Serling for his contributions. And yet, people only mention Serling with this film when his influence had little to do with it aside from the idea for the ending.
@@rustincohle2135So did Sterling write the Twilight Zone episode?
@@joshmaxwell7968 Are you talking about the _Twilight Zone_ episode _"I Shot an Arrow into the Air"_ that used the same twist ending from _Planet of the Apes,_ where the planet that the astronaut crew landed on was earth all along? If so, Serling did write the teleplay of that episode (teleplay is the word for a script for a TV episode), yes. HOWEVER, the story outline for that episode was actually written by Madelon Champion whom Serling purchased the idea from. So, it's not known if the "it was Earth all along" twist ending was in Champion's story outline or if Serling came up with it when he fleshed out the entire script for the show.
This is a great and classic movie, and your reactions were priceless and so glad that you enjoyed it! If you guys haven't seen 2001: A Space Odyssey yet that should be next, another timeless classic from the same era!👍👍
One of the all-time classic twist movie endings. It was all but entirely known in pop culture, but the beauty of time passing is that so many people watch the movie now without ever having heard about it, so can watch it with fresh surprise.
There was nothing like planning a "cough" sick day home from school or a sleepover when a Planet of the Apes movie marathon was on TV. I loved these movies so much as a child.
Glad you both are reacting to this one...A true classic...Charlton Heston was an iconic and great actor.
The Omega Man,,,,,Soylent Green,,,💥💥💥👍🤪
I loved that Heston played an ape in the remake movie with Walberg. The only good thing about that remake.
@@markwilliams6394 Yes indeed
@LordEagle I was going to mention both movies. You beat me to it.😊
Ben hur
John Chambers was an absolute legend for the makeup effects that he essentially invented for this movie.
The effects for the Dawn of Man sequence in 2001 (also a 1968 release) were an order of magnitude more convincing. Granted, they only screamed and grunted. Might not have worked so well if the apes had to be able to speak English, but on their own the 2001 ape effects are mind-boggling.
I remember seeing this movie in the theater as a child and the whole place lost it's mind when they panned out to the Statue of Liberty!
Both of your reactions brought it all back again especially BJ!, people were standing up shouting at the screen. Great reaction, thank you
Iconic Movie. I remember watching it when I was a child. I was born in '68 but they replayed these movies on TV all the time.
2 great sci fi movies were released in 1968: This one and the GOAT sci fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. If you can handle 1960s pacing, it's one of the greatest films of all time.
Then in '71 came another great one: The Omega Man.
Also from a novel that spawned multiple movies: The Last Man on Earth (1964 w/Vincent Price) and then I Am Legend in 2007 with Will Smith.
Heston followed that up in '73 with Soylent Green. That would be a good one to react to!
You want to hear something crazy? Planet of the Apes and 2001: A Space Odyssey were not only both released in 1968. They were released on the same day, April 3.
Silent Running from 1972 is a classic as well. In fact, the robots in the movie were part of the many inspirations that led to R2D2.
Agreed, and you many not be aware of this, but, both films were released the same day April 3, 1968
@@doughbafett Agreed, and they both became iconic, although I would argue that 2001 is the more famous of the 2 films.
I first saw Planet of the Apes when I was a kid in 1973. The ending blew my mind. No other film in the POTA franchise has ever held my imagination as the original. Nothing compares.
Same here in 1973. My parents were out of the country while I stayed with relatives and we watched this movie. Never forgot!
“IT’S A MADHOUSE, A MADHOUSE”!!
I remember seeing this movie in the theater when I was a kid...and that closing scene with the Statue of Liberty..the audience did a collective gasp!
Awesome and unexpected.
I remember watching this an an 8-year old on the CBS Late Movie. The horn blare when they show the apes still gets me. This is a fantastic movie.
I was 13 when I saw the movie with my parents. The audience gasped and fell silent at the ending. You could've heard a pin drop. Still one of the best science fiction movies ever.
The best part of the final scene was the prolonged shot of the statue, the sound of the ocean, the fade to black, and the sound of the ocean still going……all to prolong the horrifying feeling of despair and fatalism….
Bingo!
Almost as if the movie itself was stunned speechless at what it had just revealed. 😦
………best final scene of any movie. Complete shock when first viewed it………well said, Mr Heston……
The ending of Spaceballs parodies the ending of this movie with the villains climbing out of the nose of the maid statue on the beach and the apes riding up to proclaim "there goes the planet".
There have been a lot of sequels to "Planet of the Apes" and offshoots, but the original is a classic and by far the best. It's one of the greatest movies of all time, really. 4
Those ape costumes and make-up were cutting edge new features that amazed audiences and inspired many Halloween costumes for years! The new re-makes are getting so good you almost can't tell they're CGI! Fun reactions, as always, you two!
It took something like 6 hours to get the stars made up for the set.
This film series has a special place in my heart. My grandfather who raised me like a son loved it so much, this and the original TWILIGHT ZONE. My mom claimed that her and her siblings were forced to watch them all the time which is why she cant stand it but every time I see them I think of those days I spent watching these films with him and having really good conversations about science fiction. Seeing you both react to this brought back some great memories and that twist ending is legendary. I never read the books but I have always wanted to check them out alongside the movie to see what they changed. And even though it is a very underrated film, I recommend the Tim Burton remake with Mark Whalberg, the effects and acting in that are awesome.
Another old sci-fi movie from my childhood worth watching is "Westworld" (1973) starring James Brolin, Richard Benjamin and Yul Brenner.
Yes! An excellent movie.
True story with Planet of the Apes they shit some of it in Arizona
As well as The Andromeda Strain and Logan's Run.
Heston's odd laugh at the very beginning - marooned, lost in space and time, food running out in 3 days - is a "We're so F-ed!" laugh. On the edge of madness.
Your questions at the end are answered in the next movies. Not sure if you want to see them, but this series was kind of a B movie phenomenon back then, and it eventually spawned a TV show as well. So there's something good to it. And of course they also did a modern remake of the films, as you know.
37:55, one of the craziest, shocking, unforgettable, and most memorable twist endings in film history!
courtesy of Rod Serling, What a genius!
this movie needs to come back to the theatres i wanna see ppls reactions
@@88darling88 I don't think it would shock people today, the famous twist is so well known.
The end of the book is better, imo.
Unfortunately for many, many years, the cover of the VHS and DVD rental boxes had the last scene with the Statue of Liberty as the cover art. So stupid and gave the ending away if someone hadn’t seen it.
The move was written by Rod Serling of "The Twilight Zone", that's why the ending was so ironic. There was already a book but it was way different than the movie.
One of the best movie twists ever.
I saw this on tv in the early 70’s when I was a kid…… what a great movie especially back then
Filming took place between May 21 and August 10, 1967, in California, Utah, and Arizona, with desert sequences shot in and around Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The film's final "closed" cost was $5.8 million.
SO glad BJ noticed the music! Nowadays they would call it “dystopian “ but think of what a sensation this wears in 1968!
Soylent Green apocalyptic 70's movie with Charlton Heston is a must reaction
Absolutely!
Soylent green is people
@@revo1336don’t tell
@@revo1336wait lol delete I want them to watch 😭
That's good but I prefer THE OMEGA MAN, another adaptation of an apocalyptic book.
Remember seeing it at a theater, in the early 70’s, and leave the place in complete state of shock! I had no clue what the end would be. And what about that eerie soundtrack? Guys, that was haunting at the time!!!! ✌️
The third one, Escape from the Planet of the Apes is my favorite of this series
With some great return actors and an appearance by Ricardo Montalban.
My 2nd fav after the original.
Agreed!
I propose a toast!
With grape juice plus...
@@lisarainbow9703My brother and I still say that all the time 😂
Escape is my second favorite by a hair. I often skip Beneath to get to it quicker when I feel like watching the series.
"Well, cuz the time bends" is the absolute best, most accurate, most complete 5 word explanation ever come up with.
Amen💙
In the book, Taylor gives a speech to the ape assembly. The ovation was thunderous because the apes applauded with hands and feet. Taylor was able to fix the spaceship and returned to Earth.
Taylor says early in the movie " there has to be something better than man, has to be" is prescient to how things evolved
A true sci-fi masterpiece that stands the test of time. Great reaction!
Still my favorite incarnation of Planet of the Apes. All five of the original movies played a huge role in my imaginative play as a kid. I had several of the action figures, the tree fort play-set, and watched both the live-action and the animated television series.
The second movie isn't really that great, but the third and all that follow explains the HOW and WHY of what Taylor found when he came back to Earth. It was the first and only time I've seen a franchise where the movies make a complete circular arc, yet also shows that the future CAN change. I hope you watch the rest of them; a truly wonderfully unique movie franchise. Thank you for reacting to this. :)
I'd probably avoid the 2nd one, gets a bit cringe. I LOVE the 3rd movie but the latest series of movies would be better for them to watch I think.
I love the 2nd lol they still need to watch it because it's part of the story especially the "golden god"
I thought the second film was very interesting. And the first film is awesome. I haven't seen the third.
@@anzaeria you have to watch them all its one big story that ties together
Love the 2nd movie.
When I was young, my neighbor took me and my brother with him and his daughters to the drive-in. we watched all 5 of the planet of the apes one summer. Shout out to Mike King, Dawn, and Karen. I wish I could go back in time and do it again. ❤
with you. my dad sat through all 5 movies even though sci fi was not his thing. thats love
I remember I spent a whole Saturday watching all 5 movies at a theater. It was Awesome!!!
Was that the "Go Ape" campaign? I remember watching all five at a drive-in.
Before Star Wars this was the biggest movie franchise out there. Grew up with these films, toys, comics and cartoon series in the 70’s. It was everywhere.
This movie came out in 1968. This was the height of the Cold War. Children practiced hiding under their desks during school to be prepared for nuclear war. The forbidden zone was a nuclear wasteland that due to its radioactivity was deadly and off limits. Only after this long period of time was it beginning to be safe for travel. This whole movie was a nuclear holocaust/anti war film.
That was never done in the 60s. I started school in 1964. Nuclear war was never discussed. We had normal, everyday fire drills. I never heard any official at school mention nuclear war or survival tactics Some of that went on in the 50s, but much less than presented in current pop culture.
@@michaelbrennick I was referring to the "Duck and Cover" drills that school children were subjected to. I know they resurrected them during the Cuban missile crisis as well.
I posted about the fear of nuclear war being prevalent during the Cold War and I thought that our two youngling hosts (compared to you and I) might be missing that aspect of the movie.
@@michaelbrennick I'm a 60s kid myself, and we absolutely had what they called air-raid drills where you would hide under your desk when the alarm sounded. If you were in the hall you were supposed to stand with your face to the wall until the alarm stopped. I can still remember... it had a very specific ring like a fire bell. Ding. Ding. Ding., that just went on and on. This is Chicago early 60s, the second city at the time, we would have been one of the primary targets once the bombs started flying. Maybe they didn't do it in smaller towns, IDK. They never used the word nuclear, but everyone knew it was about the atomic bomb.
@@flubblertI went to Boston Catholic parish grammar schools and Jesuit high school in the 60s and 70s. We had none of that. The only hint of it was the civil defense signs that marked the basement of the school as a shelter. None of it was explained.
With all due respect, I wasn't alive in the 1960s but I honestly don't see how hiding under a desk would do any good if a bomb (nuclear or otherwise) was dropped. @@flubblert
I honestly appreciate the rawness of the effects and costumes.
What a fuckin movie I saw it as a 6 yr old in 1969. I never forgot it and never will!
Nova, God's gift to mankind.
P.s.Humanity blew themselves up in some war, some nuclear war and radiation had the effect on the planet changing apes and man - kind of switching their roles as time went by for thousands of years.
In the 2011 Dawn of the Planet of the Apes movie. It was a man-made virus and pandemic.
'My assumption. They are on the planet of the apes" Great line Asia. LOL Yall are too much fun to watch.
"Is it earth?" It is like the best question ever!
Also, This has your greatest post movie discussion yet! I loved watching and listening to you two. Blessings to those who suggested it.
Yo BJ, you really really got this movie. Rare to see someone understand it so well on a first viewing. Nice work my man.
Great reaction, both of you.
There are viewers who don't understand the movie on first go?
Guys, the lead actor who played Taylor, was
Charlton Heston, who was also the rancher in Tombstone who let Doc stay overnight at his home when he got really sick and was bleeding and almost fell off his horse. He is one of the leading actors of his time.
He also starred in "Ben-Hur", a classic epic film that'd be well worth watching.
"Get yer stinkin paws off me you damned dirty APE!" Lotta great Heston lines in this one. In the scene where he escapes briefly and delivers that line, Charleton was pretty sick I've heard, hence the super sweatiness.
I was 12 when this movie came out. It played in the theater for months and we saw it every weekend.
I haven't watched the 1968 Planet of the Apes in about 20 years. I have the complete collection on VHS. I need to dust off my VCR and watch them again.
You guys will be so happy that you watch this version first because when you do watch the new version you will see so many little homages to this original film
I like the 3 apes in the court, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!
This is one of the better endings of any movie. My mom said everyone gasped at the end when she saw it at the theater.
When those apes pulled up on those horses in the beginning, that would be a scary sight to see. 🤔😁
Man, I remember seeing this one as a kid. You guys had great insight and I loved your reactions to the big twist at the end! 👍👍👍
Great job analyzing the movie, most people need it explained to them You guys are bang on. Earth of the Future=Planet of The Apes.
That ending will always get you. Supreme classic sci-fi. Glad you guys got to see it.
Fun Fact: This movie filmed in California, Utah and Arizona 👍👍👍
Reading the comments section one day after Asia's and BJ's reaction and seeing everyone talk about Charlton Heston, let me be the ONE who gives major acting flowers to actor Roddy McDowall (along with Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans and others) for exceptional acting under pounds of makeup and fur. I know Roddy endured four hours every single morning of makeup application before shooting began and two hours of makeup removal at the end of every shooting day. He drank liquids for his lunch because he couldn't eat anything once the appliances that were placed around his mouth. He sweated buckets beneath the costume and fur on his head, neck, and hands. With all of that, through exaggerating facial gestures and throwing his voice past the four inches of space between his own lips and the end of his chimpanzee "lips" and contorting his body posture, Roddy gives a wonderful and entertaining performance as Cornelius. While he wasn't in the second film of the franchise due to a conflict (he was directing his first film), he starred in the other three sequels AND the 1974 TV show of the same name. Roddy WAS the heart of "The Planet of the Apes" franchise -- just another feather in the cap of his seven decade acting career as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood history from his years as a child star through his many Broadway and TV appearances until his last film in voiceover appearance in Disney's "A Bug's Life". What a terrific actor he was!
Notice the 3 judges during the "trial"; hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil?
they missed the reference
Those statues were everywhere back in the late 60's and early 70s, so I didn't think they would catch it. They are too young on most of the references in this movie. They weren't alive during the cold war, and if they were, they were at the very end of it.
It was the idea of Heston and a couple of the producers to put that in just for fun and see if the studio would catch it.
🙊🙉🙈
Can't wait to see you guys react to the next couple of movies. When I was a kid I was obsessed with the apes in these. The makeup effects were so far beyond anything I had ever seen at that point.
I am so greatful that you started the multitude of Planet of the Apes movie by starting at the very very very beginning. If you choose to watch some of the more recent movies you will now understand the easter eggs and the significance of the stories as well.
I was 1 years old when this film came out but it has some of the most iconic famous scenes that to this day people still get a kick out of.
🦍🎞👍
BTW, the image of the apes who covered their ears, eyes and mouth is referring to a very old saying and imagery. It refers to the phrase, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil."
🙈🙉🙊😉
BJ nails it 100% at the end. Great reaction guys.
I was 8 years old Riding my bicycle when I saw apes eating at Taco Bell and Smoking Cigarettes and I told my Mom and she didn't believe me 😂
One of my all-time fav movies. I saw this movie as a kid when it came out in the theater. I about crapped my pants when they showed the female astronaut all mummy like. 😦