Hey guys! Just fyi, YES, I am fully aware that the photo at 1:40 is of actor Karl Malden, not Franklin J Schaffner. It is a photo of him accepting the Oscar for Franklin J Schaffner for Patton (the movie mentioned in the video). You don't need to keep telling me! It was a mistake made due to a mix up in my editing assets folder that I did not notice at first and has since been fixed for the future. Thank you!
The evolution of Taylor from someone who hates Humanity in the beginning to the ultimate defender of Mankind in the cave scene was just brilliant. He hated Humanity for its inhumanity but sees its reflection in the apes, and then ultimately his worst fears are confirmed in the ending.
When I was a kid and saw it, it was just entertaining. But then when I saw it as an adult, it blew me away. The intelligence, the acting, the nuances that a kid would never get suddenly appeared. It is truly a ground-breaking movie
It would be interesting if this new trilogy was the opposite of the 1968 film. Instead of the apes trying to hide human history being the antagonists, in this new trilogy, the apes trying to uncover the truth about human history (like human dangerous weapons) would be the villains and the ones trying to hide it would be the heroes.
When I was a boy growing up in the 1970s, WABC TV Channel 7 in NYC would have something called the 4:30 movie, and it would be ape week as the feature. I would always watch it. In the early 1970s, I watched the cartoon and the TV series. I even read the book in the early 1980s. This franchise is what started franchises for sure. Now, Gerry Goldsmith is definitely one of the all-time best composers. When it comes to franchises, the film is definitely in my top 10 films along with Star Wars 1977 film Star Trek 2, the wrath of Khan, and the first Raiders of the lost ark and Terminator 2 when it comes to franchises overall. It dawned on me, though, about the one astronaut that gets killed in the hunt who happened to be black. That was probably an open message of racism. Though in defense of the apes, all humans look alike, male or female. The surprise ending is so amazing that you are caught off guard.
Just want to say that I’m glad to see this channel doing well. I’ve been a massive Apes fan for awhile and I always found it sad how there isn’t really any channels dedicated to the franchise like there is with Star Wars, Warhammer, etc. There’s so much interesting lore you can discuss about with Planet of the Apes!
@@Ape-Nation are there any plans on doing content addressing the Tv show ? Yes the production values were much much less than film Ask any man in his 50s we all had the lunch box lol
@@dexterriley Yep! Planning on doing both full season and episode by episode reviews for both the live action and animated TV shows later this year after Kingdom is released.
POTA still holds up uncredibly well even in our current age of CGI heavy movies. The story, social commentary, sets, and especially the ape makeup gives it a timeless quality. It's amazing that 2001:A Space Odysey came out the same year and also features Apes, and like POTA is groundbreaking and timeless.
0:10 The best, and most iconic line of all cinema! I’ll fight anyone who disagrees! This is a perfect movie! The ending is one of the bests, but not just because of the big reveal. I like it because unlike movies today it just fades to black, and you just hear the waves hitting the shore. Nowadays whenever a movie ends it blasts the score. Instead here it just goes quiet, and lets you sit with the ending.
The Planet of the Apes franchise is probably my favourite franchise ever, the way it shows the apes as a reflection of humanity and showing how scary it can be to be ruled by a species that we think we were more superior than, awesome video.
I´m not sure if it´s appropriate, but I had a crush on Dr. Zira, when i was a kid. 😳 Thanks to the makeup, her eyes and facial expressions still make me forget, this is a mask. Loved your breakdown, really deep and well said. you should make more of it for other films you liked!
I have a ritual during this film. More of a gag, really. Whenever I watch this film with someone I ask during the cage and inspection scene, "What can possibly help this guy feel better?" Then, when Nova is introduced, I say, "That'll do it."
Best part for me is Zira being mad at Taylor for humiliating Zaious by tying him up like an animal and taylor telling her that now she knows how wrong and cruel it is. Reminded me of when caesar aims the gun at malcolm and his son when he discovers carvers gun in Dawn just to show how horrible it is to be on the receiving end of that oppression out of fear and misunderstanding and how it is bad for positive progress for both people, apes, and the both of them together.
Regarding pacing, I think the original apes has a very slow pace for the first 30 minutes, letting you really sit with the characters and explore. Also creates a huge amount of build-up for the big reveal during the hunt that its a planet of apes. From then I think it really amps up quickly. Brilliant strategy and the polar opposite of Apes 2001.
Once more a great review. I still remember seeing this movie in the movie theater as it came out. I was marked for life!! Just like "jaws" it was one of those movies you can't forget. Later on I went to Universal studios and saw the original masks and wardrobe. Amazing
Thank you for your excellent video series. I owned that original paperback shown at the start and saw this film as a child at the drive-in when it came out in 1968. As an 11-year-old raised on television, the Twilight Zone was my favorite show and seeing Rod Serling's and Jerry Goldsmith's names in the credits made me sit up and take notice. The ending put me into shock, especially after realizing I had seen a version of it on "Zone". I have the soundtrack and love listening to it. Quick music note. The piano part during the intense scene as "Taylor" is chased and re-captured was so difficult to play, Maestro Goldsmith had to bring in his own music teacher to perform it. Supreme movie.
While folks get geeky over Star Wars and Star Trek, this was always my sci fi series to get geeky over. My dad had me watch it when I was nine and I had my son watch it about a week ago. He really enjoyed it. It definitely holds up.
It has always annoyed me that when the movie went to DVD, some idiot at the film company thought it would be a good idea to use the Statue of Liberty on the box artwork! 😡
Notification on, again I'm sure many people have already said what a welcome joy your channel is, I'll also say it. Fans of this franchise needed something like this, a channel dedicated to the Ape movies. Looking forward to your reviews for the classics. I only just watched them all last Summer.
My Dad took me to See PotA at the Academy of Music. It was one of largest of the single screen theaters. It was packed. I also remember the total shocks I shared with the Audience.
Despite a certain unavoidable problem (the apes all speaking in 20th Century English), it's definitely, without any doubt, the best of the Apes movies. I even quote it when I talk about society, especially Taylor's attitudes towards people. It's got a lot of very intellectual social comment which has become more and more relevant since it was made. I also find it interesting that, despite being enemies, Taylor and Zaius are actually very much alike in their views about humans, so much so that if he'd been an ape, Taylor and Zaius would've probably been best friends!
Kind of a scary thought but I think you're for sure right on the money with that one. Theyre only on opposing sides because of WHAT they are and WHO they are is much more similar than Taylor is with not only his OWN species, but any of the other apes he meets.
I prefer the look of the classic ape movies. It can be done better today but a real actor is so much better than a cgi character - even if they motion capture from a person
Agreed, definitely one of my favorites, love this channel. I always loved this franchise when I first saw them as ABC After School Specials. They would play all of them in one week.
I mentioned that as well. The 4:30 movie. They did this. They had monster week featuring Gamera or Godzilla films. Then the 4:30 movie disappeared, and poof Oprah's show became a thing. Booo, oh well, it was apparent that movies weren't a thing that seemed to do it anymore. Talk shows began to emerge.
I lost track of how many times you said something which was exactly what I had been thinking for years! "Apes" is classic and always will be! Great channel here, I just subbed up and I'm all in!
Awesome review man. Love the way how you go through each part of the film from the actors to the music score and make up artists. These are the things people seem to miss when watching these old movies people don't usually appreciate how much work goes into them. I love '68 Planet of the Apes. One of the best movies ever made imo. Even with the new apes movies (which I absolutely love) I still find myself rewatching these classics.
I was at school when I first watched it on tv 1981 and the ending stayed with me for days , it was all I could think about even in lessons . One of the best movies ever made period .
there were also a lot of comics. one of my favorites being "planet of the apes visionaries". then there were prequel comics "betrayal on the planet of the apes", "exile on the planet of the apes", "planet of the apes cataclysm" ,and "beware the planet of the apes". and don't forget the crossovers with other franchises. i am just so glad there is a channel dedicated to my favorite franchise. 😁😃
I love how Cataclysm takes that offhand line in the original film about there being no moon and makes it an actual part of the universe’s lore (while telling a really fun story as well). That arc of Betrayal-Exile-Cataclysm deserves more attention
Plus, Roddy McDowell starred in the Twilight Zone episode, People are Alike All Over, where he played an astronaut who crash landed and was placed in a zoo by the local inhabitants.
I was 10 years old when this film came out. I saw it at the theater alot of times. It is great! My friends and I all went to the movies to see each film in the franchise. I have to say that the ending is my favorite scene which still makes me misty. Charlton Heston can say some lines better then anybody else. " Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!" "It's a madhouse a madhouse!" And his lines at the Statue of Liberty. I think your reviews are great!
Agreed! This one of my favorite science films of all time and it is one of the most important science fiction films ever made because it contains a lot of social relevancy that still affect us till today. I look forward to seeing more of your videos! You just earned a new subscriber and fan! 😎
Saw this as a young kid in 68 at the Drive-In. I was instantly enthralled with the whole concept. I remember going home and getting some grease clay and started adding it to my GI Joe making an ape face 😁
The planet of the apes marathon special and interviews on T.C.M was in 1998, it was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first film. Knowing that, you should be able to figure out how old you were the first time you seen the franchise.
@@Ape-Nation You're younger than I thought! Lol, I have a bootleg recording of the 30th anniversary interviews so as far as i knew the TCM special was in '98 and was unaware of a 40th anniversary special.
Love your review! Just an FYI....the final scene was filmed at Westward Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles between Zuma Beach and Point Dume. As a major fan, I am sure you know this. Jerry Goldsmith....Star Trek Motion Picture (1979) which went on to be the theme to the Next Generation.
I agree with your reveiw. I've just turned 56. I caught up with this fraanchise in the mid seventies and I have been a fan ever since! I like your perspective , it reminded me of how i felt seeing it fo the firsf time. Being an 11 to 12 year old and getting Mego PLOTA figures!!
Excellent Vid! You described my childhood. I was in your Dads timeline but I couldn't get enough. My parents would drop me off at the cinema on a Saturday w/ some snack bar money and I'd watch these films one at a time or usually 1, 2& 3 sometimes the whole set of films All-day over & over!
The best Apes movie, by far Zira made it a lot of fun. “But you’re so damned ugly” Cornelius is great. And one of the best things is they picked on everybody Not just one group, they picked on both sides of some social issues, and had fun with it.
Excellent video. I am binge watching a lot of y our excellent content right now. I want to ask if anyone has a thought regarding why Dr. Zaius allowed Taylor to leave at the end of the film. ?
Casting. Kim Hunter, Roddy and Charleston. They sold this great story. Thank goodness. I absolutely loved this film , and was my favorite until Road Warrior/Raiders/Blade Runner era. That said, there is an eternal moment on the beach, bathed in sunshibe, in the tides where Taylor curses Mankind, never to be equaled.
My favorite scene is on the beach outside of the cave when Dr. Zaius tells Cornelius to read sacred scripture from The Lawgiver: “Beware the beast man, for he is the devil’s pawn. He, alone among apes, kills for sport and for lust and for greed. He will kill his brother to steal his brother’s land. Do not let him breed in great numbers, for surely he will destroy his world and our world too. He is the harbinger of death.” (Scroll 29, Verse 6) That is very compelling as it speaks to the destructive and greedy nature of humans. It makes me sympathize with the apes. Those words are profound as they are actually true and describe human behavior in the past and present (year 2024). I know those lines from memory.
Another thing that's stuck in my memory is Taylor's conversation with Landon about the possibility of going back home. As Taylor points out, they've been away for 20 centuries. Even if they could get back he'd be like something that fell out of a tree (an ironic statement seeing what they'd meet later on). Thing is, if that was indeed an alien planet and Earth was somewhere else and hadn't had a holocaust, then humans would be the equivalent to how we would be to the Romans. Can you imagine bringing someone from the 1st Century to the 21st Century? Practically nothing from that period exists now, except for some ruins and a bit of Latin mixed in with present English. To us, a person from the 1st Century would be an incompatible primitive. They wouldn't last long in our society, that's for sure! And the same would be for Taylor and his astronauts if Earth was somewhere else and they could return to it.
I don't know if I would classify Dr. Zaius as a villain. He's kind of caught between knowing the truth and being able to acknowledge the truth publicly. He's juggling between politics, public opinion and the military. I think he's a sympathetic character who's doing the best he can to keep things from getting completely out of control.
He's definitely a complex character, and agree that he become more sympathetic, but at the end of the day he still chooses to bury the truth and continue to play politics, so I'd still consider him a villain, personally.
Maurice Evans was DR. Zaius the first Orangutan that we got to meet. Now in the last three planet of the apes movies made recently. The first Orangutan we met was called Maurice. My question is this. Did they use the name Maurice for the new Oangutan in order to remind us of the actor that played DR. Zaius.
Love the channel! Just wondering if there’s any chance you will cover novels or comic books or any other expanded material besides the movies and tv series?
While the modern trilogy has been spectacular in the use of CGI to successfully create and convince the Apes, somehow - and to this day, I still can't quite work out why - they feel more like their own thing... not necessarily lesser than the originals, but... that Original makeup to me still holds up. Not 'well, and for the time,' but classically. The way Roddy and Kim would do that huffing and blowing out their cheeks... It's just amazing stuff.
Hey there new viewer here, i was wondering if you would ever get around to covering the extending media of POTA series such as the original novel, video games, tv shows, and comics. Thank you and I’m looking forward to your next video
I saw this in the 70s & at that young age, the make ups looked very real & convincing, but of course for today's young generation, the ape faces look very masky and dated, which is what I see as well of course. BUT it's the facinating story that's the point, which was & is unique, the issues covered - Slave trade, human rights especially in the final Armegeddon scene addressed make PLANET OF APES an important film as well as entertaining.
Brilliant review of the original Planet of the apes movies .its a masterpiece of science fiction. Chunk Heston masterful as Talyor . As Twilight Zone fan it's Hallmark of Rod Stelling mind . Roddy was the prefect Ape and Kim was brilliant performance. My favourite has got to be Talyor chasing around Ape City and classic quote " take you hand off you dam dirty Ape " l like the trial scene and of course biggest twist at the end . Jerry Godsmith genius best movie score. I have seen this movie 100 times and it's my favourite science fiction movie. Thanks again Josh .Happy New year .
Nova was much more than a love interest, for me. When he was writing in the sand she recognized the danger and moved to protect him. She was also a guide and would be the bridge into the next film.
They rereleased this a few years back and I finally saw it in theaters. It holds up so well. I did notice the astronauts were walking through the desert and couldn't notice the constellations to pinpoint they were on Earth. Aside from that, it's excellent.
One story about the making of the original Apes movie . The cast were on break during the last few scenes. The beach scene Maurice Evans ,Kim Hunter and Roddy didn't have any straws to drink with .So Chunk Heston run up the beach to base camp to get some . I found out this delightful story from ,the making Apes blue ray.
I know that the modern movies have better effects and everything But they are not a patch on this film The cast are all great with this being my favourite Charlton Heston role and the ending classic Of the series this beneath and conquest are my favourites Escape and battle not so much It's a lot deeper than you expect when you watch it for the second or third time Its a sci-fi classic Thanks for sharing this review
14:00 Anyone who calls these face prosthetics dated is an idiot. As you say, they're not meant to look like real-life apes in the same way the reboot trilogy apes are. They're supposed to be more human-like. If they had tried for apes like in Rise, Dawn, and War with 1968 effects: yeah, it'd look ridiculous. Likewise, the apes in the 68 film would look terrible as CGI. So both films played to the STRENGTHS of their eras.
Personally, as much as I enjoyed the 1968 film version of "Planet of the Apes," I would rather be interested in seeing a new kind of "Apes" film that is MORE faithful to the Pierre Boulle 1963 novel someday because I am so curious of the kind of movie that would impress moviegoers even more. After all, I read Boulle's novel and it was almost nothing like the 1968 movie anyway.
I agree about number scoring as though it's some competitive... quiz show, it's more about the plotting writing & dialogue quality, how to rate a film.
Planet of the Apes is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi films, there is so much to unpack here. The idea that four astronauts would go on a one-way trip to another planet is itself pretty crazy, let alone three men and one woman ( as put in the film, she was to be the new Eve). No one ever talks about that detail and its implications. I love the segment with the astronauts leaving the ship and trekking over the landscape, illustrating mankind's need to discover the unknown. We are learning at the same time they are learning, except seeing figures moving at the top of the terrain before the astronauts do, we are left wondering what creatures are these, are these the apes? As it turns out they are not, they are a race of mute humans. Once their clothes are stolen by the mute humans things start to move pretty quickly, no sooner does Taylor say that they'll be running the planet, than they are running for their lives. As a young boy first seeing this film in a movie theater I will never forget the impact of the way it was revealed that the apes were hunting the humans. It was a build-up and when they show Heston's shooked face, you were right there with him. Then when he is captured, we see the apes taking a trophy photograph and talking. I remember the shock when he was running through the museum and he saw Dodge taxidermied and then later during the trial when they went out to the group of humans caught during the hunt and Landon turns, revealing a lobotomy. Those two moments felt like gut punches back then as a kid, and I remember feeling 'he is really alone on his planet'. The musical score as you said gave tremendous atmosphere and the make-up, costumes, sets, cinematography, acting and direction were all outstanding. Nova, I guess provided eye candy at the time, but also was there to provide Taylor with a bit of an arc, for needing someone. I later became a special effects make-up artist in great part because of this film, that's how much an influence this film had on me. I also think it's a masterpiece.
What are you talking about 4 astronauts including a woman? I don't remember a woman being on the ship, it's not mentioned here, and it's not in movie summaries I found online.
@@robgronotte1 The fourth astronaut was Stewart a woman, who died in her capsule at the beginning of the film. They show her right before Taylor goes into frozen hibernation just before the credits and then dead afterward. Taylor mentions her to Nora when he's in his cage and they put Nova in another cage when he says 'she was to be the new Eve.' rewatch the film, it's there and you'll see it. and hear the line spoken from Heston.
Again, the idea of her surviving with three male astronauts either fighting over her or sharing her makes you wonder. Even Charlton Heston says in the movie after he says that 'She was to be the new Eve', he continues 'with our hot and eager help of course.'
Weird, I remember there being one dead male astronaut but no females. The would be a very odd ratio to have if they were meant to repopulate a new planet. I was thinking one male died in transit, but it looks like he actually died when they were attacked by the apes. Even the wikipedia plot summary doesn't mention a woman.
I like the Twilight Zone like ending of the movie I Also feel sorry for Taylor because he' s an anti-hero. He's a cynic and misanthrope. He starts out hating mankind as much as the apes, and by the end of the movie, lives to regret it. Such a tragic ending... the only man to know the final fate of mankind, is a man who never could accept mankind. He blames humans for blowing up the world in a nuclear war. And then in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Taylor literally destroys Earth. ☢️
I mean, of course, this movie is so incredibly iconic and I absolutely do agree that this is one of the greatest films ever made. As a huge movie fan from my teens onward (I'm almost 57 now), I would definitely put this in my all-time top 20. It's one of those films that really changed the game and raised the bar for filmmaking and film fandom. To me, this film is every bit as iconic as _The Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, The Godfather, The Omen, Star Wars_ etc etc. As with _The Ten Commandments_ and _Ben-Hur_ (and also _El Cid),_ Charlton Heston proves that he was really one of the greatest actors ever. I definitely didn't care for him personally and his right-wing politics, but nobody can deny that that man was such a deserved icon of the silver screen and one of the greatest actors of all-time. He had such a way of being an everyman in every role he ever played, including the first part of _The Ten Commandments_ in which he literally plays Moses. Ah, but even in that role, he plays Moses as a very conflicted, very human character who at first is constantly questioning and doubting himself and the role that he himself has to play in the world. It isn't until Moses comes down from the mountain with the titular objects that he realizes his potential and accepts himself fully in his role. Charlton Heston always had the knack of being so relatable in all of his leading characters, which always made him fascinating and a joy to watch. His own personal politics aside, he is still one of my all-time favorite actors and always will be. You don't rate your films, but I do and here are mine for the _Planet Of The Apes_ original 5-film franchise, based on a 4-star rating system: _Planet Of The Apes:_ 4 _Beneath The Planet Of The Apes:_ 2 _Escape From The Planet Of The Apes:_ 3 Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes: 3 1/2 Battle For The Planet Of The Apes: 1 I have by now seen all your reviews for the original five films. You do such a great job. Thank you!!!!
" I can't help thinking somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be" might sound like humility, but it's actually the epitome of pompous exceptionalism.
I've always wondered if the original five movies (plus the live action tv series) consist of one linear or two alternate timelines. I favour the linear timeline theory but what do you all think?
I always viewed it as an alternate/branched off timeline that was created when Zira and Cornelius go back in time, but the time travel rules of this series have never been fully established, so it could definitely be linear instead!
I've never understood what the point of their mission was- where had they intended to go? Were they supposed to settle there, not knowing what the conditions were like, given that even if they could get back it would be thousands of years later?
I got done with the Caesar trilogy a week ago, and I loved all of the themes explored in that trilogy especially in Dawn and War. So I decided to go back to this one, especially since I heard there’s some references to this one in Kingdom. This film reminded me why I love classic Sci-Fi. It might be fantastical set dressing, but at its heart it’s commenting on real issues that matter. I also love all of the little things, like the judges. That tickled me pink to see them do that! Even though I don’t think Heston is that great and it is a bit of a dated movie. That being said, the writing is so strong!! If only it could’ve been done today with the CGI of the new films.
I suspect that doctors zayas new about the Statue of Liberty but he did not know what it was but he knew it would be trouble if the others knew of it that's why he canceled Cornelius archeology And I think a short fan film would be good showing Dr zayas discovering that....
Hey guys! Just fyi, YES, I am fully aware that the photo at 1:40 is of actor Karl Malden, not Franklin J Schaffner. It is a photo of him accepting the Oscar for Franklin J Schaffner for Patton (the movie mentioned in the video). You don't need to keep telling me! It was a mistake made due to a mix up in my editing assets folder that I did not notice at first and has since been fixed for the future. Thank you!
Did Zira see the humanity in Taylor, or did she recognise his ape heritage?
The evolution of Taylor from someone who hates Humanity in the beginning to the ultimate defender of Mankind in the cave scene was just brilliant. He hated Humanity for its inhumanity but sees its reflection in the apes, and then ultimately his worst fears are confirmed in the ending.
I love that the 3 orangutan judges do the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil pose
That was so perfect “Sustained!” 😂
They tried to claim it was happenstance but obviously it’s not.
It is very genious
Oh, I know. I always get such a big kick out of that.
When I was a kid and saw it, it was just entertaining. But then when I saw it as an adult, it blew me away. The intelligence, the acting, the nuances that a kid would never get suddenly appeared. It is truly a ground-breaking movie
I think it's the music and McDowell and Hunter that makes this timeless
It would be interesting if this new trilogy was the opposite of the 1968 film. Instead of the apes trying to hide human history being the antagonists, in this new trilogy, the apes trying to uncover the truth about human history (like human dangerous weapons) would be the villains and the ones trying to hide it would be the heroes.
Oh, I think that's a great concept!!
You weren’t far off man
I'd like to see a flip on the James Franco film. Instead of an ape raised by humans, a human raised by apes.
When I was a boy growing up in the 1970s, WABC TV Channel 7 in NYC would have something called the 4:30 movie, and it would be ape week as the feature. I would always watch it. In the early 1970s, I watched the cartoon and the TV series. I even read the book in the early 1980s. This franchise is what started franchises for sure. Now, Gerry Goldsmith is definitely one of the all-time best composers. When it comes to franchises, the film is definitely in my top 10 films along with Star Wars 1977 film Star Trek 2, the wrath of Khan, and the first Raiders of the lost ark and Terminator 2 when it comes to franchises overall.
It dawned on me, though, about the one astronaut that gets killed in the hunt who happened to be black. That was probably an open message of racism. Though in defense of the apes, all humans look alike, male or female. The surprise ending is so amazing that you are caught off guard.
I remember those. The intros are on RUclips. They would cut the film in 2 parts and have like Ape Week or something.
Just want to say that I’m glad to see this channel doing well. I’ve been a massive Apes fan for awhile and I always found it sad how there isn’t really any channels dedicated to the franchise like there is with Star Wars, Warhammer, etc.
There’s so much interesting lore you can discuss about with Planet of the Apes!
That was exactly why I wanted to start this channel. Thanks so much!
@@Ape-Nation are there any plans on doing content addressing the Tv show ? Yes the production values were much much less than film
Ask any man in his 50s we all had the lunch box lol
@@dexterriley Yep! Planning on doing both full season and episode by episode reviews for both the live action and animated TV shows later this year after Kingdom is released.
POTA still holds up uncredibly well even in our current age of CGI heavy movies. The story, social commentary, sets, and especially the ape makeup gives it a timeless quality. It's amazing that 2001:A Space Odysey came out the same year and also features Apes, and like POTA is groundbreaking and timeless.
Agree 1000%
0:10 The best, and most iconic line of all cinema! I’ll fight anyone who disagrees! This is a perfect movie! The ending is one of the bests, but not just because of the big reveal. I like it because unlike movies today it just fades to black, and you just hear the waves hitting the shore. Nowadays whenever a movie ends it blasts the score. Instead here it just goes quiet, and lets you sit with the ending.
Agreed, few other lines are as immediately and universally known as that one. And yes! Love the shock and quietness of the ending so much.
I swear Dr. Zira looked like she was getting turned on with that. Just facial movements and her eyes.
That silence is powerful.
It allows you to sit and think about the sci fi masterpiece you just watched.
The Planet of the Apes franchise is probably my favourite franchise ever, the way it shows the apes as a reflection of humanity and showing how scary it can be to be ruled by a species that we think we were more superior than, awesome video.
100% agreed. Thanks for watching!
On of the best films ever made
FACTS
Still holds up on story and character level.
I´m not sure if it´s appropriate, but I had a crush on Dr. Zira, when i was a kid. 😳 Thanks to the makeup, her eyes and facial expressions still make me forget, this is a mask. Loved your breakdown, really deep and well said. you should make more of it for other films you liked!
I can imagine what your wife or gf looks like.
I did too. Then years later I told a girl that she looked like her, and she hated me forever.
One of my favorite movie franchises.
I have a ritual during this film. More of a gag, really. Whenever I watch this film with someone I ask during the cage and inspection scene, "What can possibly help this guy feel better?" Then, when Nova is introduced, I say, "That'll do it."
Best part for me is Zira being mad at Taylor for humiliating Zaious by tying him up like an animal and taylor telling her that now she knows how wrong and cruel it is. Reminded me of when caesar aims the gun at malcolm and his son when he discovers carvers gun in Dawn just to show how horrible it is to be on the receiving end of that oppression out of fear and misunderstanding and how it is bad for positive progress for both people, apes, and the both of them together.
Regarding pacing, I think the original apes has a very slow pace for the first 30 minutes, letting you really sit with the characters and explore. Also creates a huge amount of build-up for the big reveal during the hunt that its a planet of apes. From then I think it really amps up quickly. Brilliant strategy and the polar opposite of Apes 2001.
100% agree, I love that style of pacing! I wanna spend time getting to experience the world for a bit.
Once more a great review. I still remember seeing this movie in the movie theater as it came out. I was marked for life!! Just like "jaws" it was one of those movies you can't forget. Later on I went to Universal studios and saw the original masks and wardrobe. Amazing
Thank you for your excellent video series. I owned that original paperback shown at the start and saw this film as a child at the drive-in when it came out in 1968. As an 11-year-old raised on television, the Twilight Zone was my favorite show and seeing Rod Serling's and Jerry Goldsmith's names in the credits made me sit up and take notice. The ending put me into shock, especially after realizing I had seen a version of it on "Zone". I have the soundtrack and love listening to it. Quick music note. The piano part during the intense scene as "Taylor" is chased and re-captured was so difficult to play, Maestro Goldsmith had to bring in his own music teacher to perform it. Supreme movie.
You hit 2024 strong
This film was amazing
I can't wait for the next film review
While folks get geeky over Star Wars and Star Trek, this was always my sci fi series to get geeky over. My dad had me watch it when I was nine and I had my son watch it about a week ago. He really enjoyed it. It definitely holds up.
It has always annoyed me that when the movie went to DVD, some idiot at the film company thought it would be a good idea to use the Statue of Liberty on the box artwork! 😡
Omg yay a planet of the apes channel! I love this franchise so much, so glad I found this! ❤❤❤
Notification on, again I'm sure many people have already said what a welcome joy your channel is, I'll also say it. Fans of this franchise needed something like this, a channel dedicated to the Ape movies.
Looking forward to your reviews for the classics. I only just watched them all last Summer.
Thank you so much! I love getting to talk about these movies and having a place to talk with other fans. Glad you're enjoying the channel!
My Dad took me to See PotA at the Academy of Music. It was one of largest of the single screen theaters. It was packed. I also remember the total shocks I shared with the Audience.
Despite a certain unavoidable problem (the apes all speaking in 20th Century English), it's definitely, without any doubt, the best of the Apes movies. I even quote it when I talk about society, especially Taylor's attitudes towards people. It's got a lot of very intellectual social comment which has become more and more relevant since it was made. I also find it interesting that, despite being enemies, Taylor and Zaius are actually very much alike in their views about humans, so much so that if he'd been an ape, Taylor and Zaius would've probably been best friends!
Good point. In the 1960 Time Machine the Eloi in 800,000 AD are also speaking modern day English.
Kind of a scary thought but I think you're for sure right on the money with that one. Theyre only on opposing sides because of WHAT they are and WHO they are is much more similar than Taylor is with not only his OWN species, but any of the other apes he meets.
I prefer the look of the classic ape movies. It can be done better today but a real actor is so much better than a cgi character - even if they motion capture from a person
SO glad I found this channel! Been a huge apes franchise fan since the mid 70's! Looking forward to future content. Keep up the good work! Cheers!
Welcome aboard. Thanks for watching!!
I've only seen this movie a couple of times, but it's definitely a sci-fi classic in my book 😊
New sub. I like the old stuff. Cant say that ive even seen the newer ones. I plan on watching a lot of your content.
Everytime I watch this movie I still get goosebumps at the end.
Loved the review-yes, a classic masterpiece❤
Agreed, definitely one of my favorites, love this channel. I always loved this franchise when I first saw them as ABC After School Specials. They would play all of them in one week.
I mentioned that as well. The 4:30 movie. They did this. They had monster week featuring Gamera or Godzilla films. Then the 4:30 movie disappeared, and poof Oprah's show became a thing. Booo, oh well, it was apparent that movies weren't a thing that seemed to do it anymore. Talk shows began to emerge.
I lost track of how many times you said something which was exactly what I had been thinking for years! "Apes" is classic and always will be! Great channel here, I just subbed up and I'm all in!
Thank you!! Welcome aboard.
HOT TAKE: Noa is going to be a top 3 character in the franchise!
Too early to tell just yet, but I have faith that he'll be great!
Guess I need to add this to my rewatch list. Thanks for the great review.
Awesome review man. Love the way how you go through each part of the film from the actors to the music score and make up artists. These are the things people seem to miss when watching these old movies people don't usually appreciate how much work goes into them. I love '68 Planet of the Apes. One of the best movies ever made imo. Even with the new apes movies (which I absolutely love) I still find myself rewatching these classics.
I was at school when I first watched it on tv 1981 and the ending stayed with me for days , it was all I could think about even in lessons . One of the best movies ever made period .
100%
there were also a lot of comics. one of my favorites being "planet of the apes visionaries". then there were prequel comics "betrayal on the planet of the apes", "exile on the planet of the apes", "planet of the apes cataclysm" ,and "beware the planet of the apes". and don't forget the crossovers with other franchises. i am just so glad there is a channel dedicated to my favorite franchise. 😁😃
I love how Cataclysm takes that offhand line in the original film about there being no moon and makes it an actual part of the universe’s lore (while telling a really fun story as well). That arc of Betrayal-Exile-Cataclysm deserves more attention
Plus, Roddy McDowell starred in the Twilight Zone episode, People are Alike All Over, where he played an astronaut who crash landed and was placed in a zoo by the local inhabitants.
That was a good episode and probably a precursor for the planet of the apes film.
I was 10 years old when this film came out. I saw it at the theater alot of times. It is great! My friends and I all went to the movies to see each film in the franchise. I have to say that the ending is my favorite scene which still makes me misty. Charlton Heston can say some lines better then anybody else. " Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!" "It's a madhouse a madhouse!" And his lines at the Statue of Liberty. I think your reviews are great!
Hi, judging by your comment on your dad i am the same age,loved the films then and now,plus the t v series.love the channel,cheers
As a child I loved this series...i remember staying up late with my brother to watch. We also would play out movie and our own twists.
Agreed! This one of my favorite science films of all time and it is one of the most important science fiction films ever made because it contains a lot of social relevancy that still affect us till today. I look forward to seeing more of your videos! You just earned a new subscriber and fan! 😎
Thank you, welcome aboard!
I like Zaius, I understand his motives.
Saw this as a young kid in 68 at the Drive-In. I was instantly enthralled with the whole concept. I remember going home and getting some grease clay and started adding it to my GI Joe making an ape face 😁
And we can also thank it for one of the most iconic Simpson’s scenes of all time! Ps. Always needed this channel in my life❤
The planet of the apes marathon special and interviews on T.C.M was in 1998, it was to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first film. Knowing that, you should be able to figure out how old you were the first time you seen the franchise.
It was aired again for the 40th anniversary in 2008.
@@Ape-Nation You're younger than I thought! Lol, I have a bootleg recording of the 30th anniversary interviews so as far as i knew the TCM special was in '98 and was unaware of a 40th anniversary special.
Can’t wait for Kingdom
Same!
Love your review!
Just an FYI....the final scene was filmed at Westward Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles between Zuma Beach and Point Dume. As a major fan, I am sure you know this.
Jerry Goldsmith....Star Trek Motion Picture (1979) which went on to be the theme to the Next Generation.
One of the best movies 🍿 ever made 👍👍👍👍👍
Spot on! Never heard it explained better.
I agree with your reveiw. I've just turned 56. I caught up with this fraanchise in the mid seventies and I have been a fan ever since! I like your perspective , it reminded me of how i felt seeing it fo the firsf time. Being an 11 to 12 year old and getting Mego PLOTA figures!!
I had those figures. They were from the TV series. I had Star Trek and Marvel and DC figures as well.
Excellent Vid! You described my childhood. I was in your Dads timeline but I couldn't get enough. My parents would drop me off at the cinema on a Saturday w/ some snack bar money and I'd watch these films one at a time or usually 1, 2& 3 sometimes the whole set of films All-day over & over!
The best Apes movie, by far
Zira made it a lot of fun.
“But you’re so damned ugly”
Cornelius is great.
And one of the best things is they picked on everybody
Not just one group, they picked on both sides of some social issues, and had fun with it.
Excellent video. I am binge watching a lot of y our excellent content right now. I want to ask if anyone has a thought regarding why Dr. Zaius allowed Taylor to leave at the end of the film. ?
Casting. Kim Hunter, Roddy and Charleston. They sold this great story. Thank goodness. I absolutely loved this film , and was my favorite until Road Warrior/Raiders/Blade Runner era. That said, there is an eternal moment on the beach, bathed in sunshibe, in the tides where Taylor curses Mankind, never to be equaled.
Saw this in the theater as a 6 yr old. Freaked me the shit out. Love this movie!!!
My favorite scene is on the beach outside of the cave when Dr. Zaius tells Cornelius to read sacred scripture from The Lawgiver:
“Beware the beast man, for he is the devil’s pawn. He, alone among apes, kills for sport and for lust and for greed. He will kill his brother to steal his brother’s land. Do not let him breed in great numbers, for surely he will destroy his world and our world too. He is the harbinger of death.” (Scroll 29, Verse 6)
That is very compelling as it speaks to the destructive and greedy nature of humans. It makes me sympathize with the apes. Those words are profound as they are actually true and describe human behavior in the past and present (year 2024). I know those lines from memory.
Correction: “He, alone among primates, kills for sport…”
One of my favorite moments as well! Brilliantly written scene.
Another thing that's stuck in my memory is Taylor's conversation with Landon about the possibility of going back home. As Taylor points out, they've been away for 20 centuries. Even if they could get back he'd be like something that fell out of a tree (an ironic statement seeing what they'd meet later on). Thing is, if that was indeed an alien planet and Earth was somewhere else and hadn't had a holocaust, then humans would be the equivalent to how we would be to the Romans. Can you imagine bringing someone from the 1st Century to the 21st Century? Practically nothing from that period exists now, except for some ruins and a bit of Latin mixed in with present English. To us, a person from the 1st Century would be an incompatible primitive. They wouldn't last long in our society, that's for sure! And the same would be for Taylor and his astronauts if Earth was somewhere else and they could return to it.
I don't know if I would classify Dr. Zaius as a villain. He's kind of caught between knowing the truth and being able to acknowledge the truth publicly. He's juggling between politics, public opinion and the military. I think he's a sympathetic character who's doing the best he can to keep things from getting completely out of control.
He's definitely a complex character, and agree that he become more sympathetic, but at the end of the day he still chooses to bury the truth and continue to play politics, so I'd still consider him a villain, personally.
@@Ape-Nation He did it because he was worried about the future of the apes.
Happy new year 🎊
Maurice Evans was DR. Zaius the first Orangutan that we got to meet. Now in the last three planet of the apes movies made recently. The first Orangutan we met was called Maurice. My question is this. Did they use the name Maurice for the new Oangutan in order to remind us of the actor that played DR. Zaius.
Love the channel! Just wondering if there’s any chance you will cover novels or comic books or any other expanded material besides the movies and tv series?
Yep! I do plan on reviewing novels eventually. Most likely will do comics too, though I'm undecided on that one yet. Thanks for watching!
7:36 - Come on, now 🤔 Everybody knows that Wayne's World 2 was Charlton Heston's most prominent role 😉
Thank you. 😢.
Lol. Love that scene.
Jerry goldsmith did the music for star trek TOS, TNG and Voyager. Serak (spocks dad) is played by mark lenard who is Urko from the tv series!
Saw my 1st movie ..( London)12yrs old..60+,and still here. 2024..❤❤
Charlton Heston el Mejor Actor del Cine. Extraordinarias todas sus películas e interpretaciones. Sensacional.
Happy New Year!
While the modern trilogy has been spectacular in the use of CGI to successfully create and convince the Apes, somehow - and to this day, I still can't quite work out why - they feel more like their own thing... not necessarily lesser than the originals, but... that Original makeup to me still holds up. Not 'well, and for the time,' but classically.
The way Roddy and Kim would do that huffing and blowing out their cheeks...
It's just amazing stuff.
Hey there new viewer here, i was wondering if you would ever get around to covering the extending media of POTA series such as the original novel, video games, tv shows, and comics.
Thank you and I’m looking forward to your next video
Planning on it in the near future!
I saw this in the 70s & at that young age, the make ups looked very real & convincing, but of course for today's young generation, the ape faces look very masky and dated, which is what I see as well of course.
BUT it's the facinating story that's the point, which was & is unique, the issues covered - Slave trade, human rights especially in the final Armegeddon scene addressed make PLANET OF APES an important film as well as entertaining.
I remember watching this movie for the first time on TV and aching to know what's in the Forbidden Zone
Brilliant review of the original Planet of the apes movies .its a masterpiece of science fiction. Chunk Heston masterful as Talyor . As Twilight Zone fan it's Hallmark of Rod Stelling mind . Roddy was the prefect Ape and Kim was brilliant performance. My favourite has got to be Talyor chasing around Ape City and classic quote " take you hand off you dam dirty Ape " l like the trial scene and of course biggest twist at the end .
Jerry Godsmith genius best movie score. I have seen this movie 100 times and it's my favourite science fiction movie. Thanks again Josh .Happy New year .
Nova was much more than a love interest, for me. When he was writing in the sand she recognized the danger and moved to protect him. She was also a guide and would be the bridge into the next film.
Honestly I've never heard that scene interpreted that way and not sure if I agree, but I love the idea!
They rereleased this a few years back and I finally saw it in theaters. It holds up so well. I did notice the astronauts were walking through the desert and couldn't notice the constellations to pinpoint they were on Earth. Aside from that, it's excellent.
It was a ridiculous film. Alot of it depends on the viewers' fascination and imagination. This isn't to say I don't enjoy it. POTA is just a B movie.
One story about the making of the original Apes movie . The cast were on break during the last few scenes. The beach scene Maurice Evans ,Kim Hunter and Roddy didn't have any straws to drink with .So Chunk Heston run up the beach to base camp to get some . I found out this delightful story from ,the making Apes blue ray.
Something To Note @ 10 : 13 Where Does The Pen & Paper Come From ????
Mr. Evans preferred “Morris” as the pronunciation of his name
Linda harrison is so hot its honestly distracting lol
I know that the modern movies have better effects and everything
But they are not a patch on this film
The cast are all great with this being my favourite Charlton Heston role and the ending classic
Of the series this beneath and conquest are my favourites
Escape and battle not so much
It's a lot deeper than you expect when you watch it for the second or third time
Its a sci-fi classic
Thanks for sharing this review
I was never into this franchise until I they recently added them all to Hulu. I had no clue there are that many movies😮
Hope you enjoy them!
14:00 Anyone who calls these face prosthetics dated is an idiot. As you say, they're not meant to look like real-life apes in the same way the reboot trilogy apes are.
They're supposed to be more human-like. If they had tried for apes like in Rise, Dawn, and War with 1968 effects: yeah, it'd look ridiculous.
Likewise, the apes in the 68 film would look terrible as CGI.
So both films played to the STRENGTHS of their eras.
Exactly!
Personally, as much as I enjoyed the 1968 film version of "Planet of the Apes," I would rather be interested in seeing a new kind of "Apes" film that is MORE faithful to the Pierre Boulle 1963 novel someday because I am so curious of the kind of movie that would impress moviegoers even more. After all, I read Boulle's novel and it was almost nothing like the 1968 movie anyway.
I agree about number scoring as though it's some competitive... quiz show, it's more about the plotting writing & dialogue quality, how to rate a film.
My favourite childhood movie
Planet of the Apes is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi films, there is so much to unpack here. The idea that four astronauts would go on a one-way trip to another planet is itself pretty crazy, let alone three men and one woman ( as put in the film, she was to be the new Eve). No one ever talks about that detail and its implications. I love the segment with the astronauts leaving the ship and trekking over the landscape, illustrating mankind's need to discover the unknown. We are learning at the same time they are learning, except seeing figures moving at the top of the terrain before the astronauts do, we are left wondering what creatures are these, are these the apes? As it turns out they are not, they are a race of mute humans. Once their clothes are stolen by the mute humans things start to move pretty quickly, no sooner does Taylor say that they'll be running the planet, than they are running for their lives. As a young boy first seeing this film in a movie theater I will never forget the impact of the way it was revealed that the apes were hunting the humans. It was a build-up and when they show Heston's shooked face, you were right there with him. Then when he is captured, we see the apes taking a trophy photograph and talking. I remember the shock when he was running through the museum and he saw Dodge taxidermied and then later during the trial when they went out to the group of humans caught during the hunt and Landon turns, revealing a lobotomy. Those two moments felt like gut punches back then as a kid, and I remember feeling 'he is really alone on his planet'. The musical score as you said gave tremendous atmosphere and the make-up, costumes, sets, cinematography, acting and direction were all outstanding. Nova, I guess provided eye candy at the time, but also was there to provide Taylor with a bit of an arc, for needing someone. I later became a special effects make-up artist in great part because of this film, that's how much an influence this film had on me. I also think it's a masterpiece.
What are you talking about 4 astronauts including a woman? I don't remember a woman being on the ship, it's not mentioned here, and it's not in movie summaries I found online.
@@robgronotte1 The fourth astronaut was Stewart a woman, who died in her capsule at the beginning of the film. They show her right before Taylor goes into frozen hibernation just before the credits and then dead afterward. Taylor mentions her to Nora when he's in his cage and they put Nova in another cage when he says 'she was to be the new Eve.' rewatch the film, it's there and you'll see it. and hear the line spoken from Heston.
Again, the idea of her surviving with three male astronauts either fighting over her or sharing her makes you wonder. Even Charlton Heston says in the movie after he says that 'She was to be the new Eve', he continues 'with our hot and eager help of course.'
or suspended animation.
Weird, I remember there being one dead male astronaut but no females. The would be a very odd ratio to have if they were meant to repopulate a new planet. I was thinking one male died in transit, but it looks like he actually died when they were attacked by the apes. Even the wikipedia plot summary doesn't mention a woman.
I like the Twilight Zone like ending of the movie I Also feel sorry for Taylor because he' s an anti-hero. He's a cynic and misanthrope. He starts out hating mankind as much as the apes, and by the end of the movie, lives to regret it. Such a tragic ending... the only man to know the final fate of mankind, is a man who never could accept mankind. He blames humans for blowing up the world in a nuclear war. And then in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Taylor literally destroys Earth. ☢️
Sebastián Rulli se parece físicamente al Gran Actor Charlton Heston.
The actress that Played Zira said she got tired of the Filming Crew offering her Bananas LOL
I mean, of course, this movie is so incredibly iconic and I absolutely do agree that this is one of the greatest films ever made. As a huge movie fan from my teens onward (I'm almost 57 now), I would definitely put this in my all-time top 20. It's one of those films that really changed the game and raised the bar for filmmaking and film fandom. To me, this film is every bit as iconic as _The Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, The Godfather, The Omen, Star Wars_ etc etc.
As with _The Ten Commandments_ and _Ben-Hur_ (and also _El Cid),_ Charlton Heston proves that he was really one of the greatest actors ever. I definitely didn't care for him personally and his right-wing politics, but nobody can deny that that man was such a deserved icon of the silver screen and one of the greatest actors of all-time. He had such a way of being an everyman in every role he ever played, including the first part of _The Ten Commandments_ in which he literally plays Moses. Ah, but even in that role, he plays Moses as a very conflicted, very human character who at first is constantly questioning and doubting himself and the role that he himself has to play in the world. It isn't until Moses comes down from the mountain with the titular objects that he realizes his potential and accepts himself fully in his role. Charlton Heston always had the knack of being so relatable in all of his leading characters, which always made him fascinating and a joy to watch. His own personal politics aside, he is still one of my all-time favorite actors and always will be.
You don't rate your films, but I do and here are mine for the _Planet Of The Apes_ original 5-film franchise, based on a 4-star rating system:
_Planet Of The Apes:_ 4
_Beneath The Planet Of The Apes:_ 2
_Escape From The Planet Of The Apes:_ 3
Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes: 3 1/2
Battle For The Planet Of The Apes: 1
I have by now seen all your reviews for the original five films. You do such a great job. Thank you!!!!
Great review
Fantastic A+++ review.
" I can't help thinking somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be" might sound like humility, but it's actually the epitome of pompous exceptionalism.
I've always wondered if the original five movies (plus the live action tv series) consist of one linear or two alternate timelines. I favour the linear timeline theory but what do you all think?
I always viewed it as an alternate/branched off timeline that was created when Zira and Cornelius go back in time, but the time travel rules of this series have never been fully established, so it could definitely be linear instead!
Loveee this movie i play the gameboy game on a regular basis lol I'd love to hear your thoughts on the 2001 movie
I've never understood what the point of their mission was- where had they intended to go? Were they supposed to settle there, not knowing what the conditions were like, given that even if they could get back it would be thousands of years later?
They had no real plan, Taylor just wanted to leave earth and find somewhere better.
@Ape-Nation So the government built them a spaceship? Nice work if you can get it.
I got done with the Caesar trilogy a week ago, and I loved all of the themes explored in that trilogy especially in Dawn and War. So I decided to go back to this one, especially since I heard there’s some references to this one in Kingdom. This film reminded me why I love classic Sci-Fi. It might be fantastical set dressing, but at its heart it’s commenting on real issues that matter. I also love all of the little things, like the judges. That tickled me pink to see them do that! Even though I don’t think Heston is that great and it is a bit of a dated movie. That being said, the writing is so strong!! If only it could’ve been done today with the CGI of the new films.
Would definitely love to see the story reimagined with mocap/CGI eventually!
i love this film
I suspect that doctors zayas new about the Statue of Liberty but he did not know what it was but he knew it would be trouble if the others knew of it that's why he canceled Cornelius archeology And I think a short fan film would be good showing Dr zayas discovering that....