Customer Reviews

Planet of the Apes

5 star:		(188)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I recently watched this original version of "The Planet of the Apes" for the first time since seeing it at a drive-in theater back in 1968. First I was amazed at how much of the film I had forgotten. Actually, most of what I remembered was the (then) shocking ending. What I was impressed with this time around was what an intelligent and well-scripted film this was (and still is). Like any good science fiction, this film provides an interesting commentary on the human condition. One the one hand you have the Minister of Science and Defender of the Faith debunking and destroying an archeological dig, because it is contrary to the faith of the Apes, but on the other hand in his reading from the sacred scrolls you hear the accurate description of the destructive (dare I say "sinful?") nature of humans. I've been pondering this segment of the film quite a bit over the past few days. Like others, I think Charlton Heston is in fine form here. It's easy to picture him as president of the National Rifle Association after seeing this film. I still prefer Heston in "Ben Hur" and "the Ten Commandments," but that probably reflects my personal interest in the stories that are told there. As one Academy Award film-maker recently said upon receiving his lifetime achievement Oscar (I think it was Norman Jewison), "Find a story that needs to be told and tell it." This version of "The Planet of the Apes" certainly tells a good story, and tells it well.

20th Century Fox released the film previously on DVD by itself and in a box set with the rest of the Apes films plus a bonus DVD of extras. Now, for those who just want the first (and best) film of the series and all of the extras, Fox has released an excellent two-DVD special edition of Planet of the Apes to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

The DVD's extras get off to a shaky start with the two lackluster audio commentaries. The first is by legendary composer, Jerry Goldsmith, and the second by actors Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy, Kim Hunter and make-up artist John Chambers. Both commentaries could benefit from some extensive editing. There is way too much dead air that one has to sit through to get to the few interesting tidbits of information. The DVD producers should have edited down these commentaries to only the scenes in the movie that are actually commented on, like with the audio tracks on the Glengarry Glen Ross and The Right Stuff DVDs.

The text commentary by Eric Greene, author of Planet of the Apes as American Myth, redeems things by cramming a ton of interesting factoids on the screen in the form of subtitles. It's scary when the text commentary is better than both audio commentaries combined.

The second DVD contains the bulk of the extra material. The first section, "Exploring the Apes," contains a comprehensive, two-hour documentary entitled, "Behind the Planet of the Apes." Hosted by Roddy McDowall, it takes a look at the entire Apes saga from the films to the cartoon and TV series with an emphasis on the first (and best) film. Fans of the Apes films will be delighted to see all the major players from the films back for new interviews done exclusively for this documentary.

Also included in this section is the make-up test reel with Edward G. Robinson that convinced the 20th Century Fox brass to pony up the money for the film. There is "Roddy McDowall Home Movies" taken while making the first Apes movie that shows the step-by-step application of his ape make-up. There are 19 minutes of dailies and outtakes from the film.

There are also two vintage featurettes from 1968 and 1972 respectively. They are nothing more than superficial promos but are now fascinating time capsules of their times. Finally, there are two brief featurettes that showcase footage of directors Don Taylor and J. Lee Thompson shooting a scene from the Apes films that they worked on. These last two extras feel like unnecessary padding.

The "Publicity" section contains theatrical trailers for all of the Apes films, two glowing reviews for The Planet of the Apes and a collection of movie posters from all around the world.

The "Galleries" section features sketches by costume designer Morton Haack and a small stills gallery.

Finally, the "Ape Phenomenon" offers a brief glimpse into the vast Apes merchandising empire with a gallery of action figures. Also included is a collection of costumes and make-up from the films.

This new two-DVD set does justice to this landmark science fiction film. The transfer is amazing clear and free of any artifacting. The movie also hasn't sounded better with a crystal clear 5.1 surround soundtrack. While the audio commentaries are a let down, the two-hour documentary more than makes up for it. This is well worth picking up if you are a fan of the first film and want all the supplemental materials included in the box set without having to pay the extra money for the inferior sequels.

This is a review of the quality of the Planet of the Apes [Blu-ray. The video looks good for a film as aged as this, but is not even close to stunning. The high def transfer in some cases actually serves to accentuate problems you might not have noticed otherwise. I saw more than a few soft scenes where they looked unfocused. Grain was never too obtrusive, but the colors were uneven through a good portion of the film. Some scenes were rich and vivid, and others washed out. My biggest problem is the sound. They present the sound here as a DTS 5.1 mix, and a mono mix. I chose DTS and was sorely dissapointed. My subwoofer never kicked on. That means that there was never an instance when there was a frequency lower than about 85hz. This made for a very shallow sounding mix. Adding to that, the surround speakers never seemed to register anything, and you've got what sounded to me like a mono mix anyway. All of the sound seemed to come from my center channel. To me, digitally remastering a film soundtrack at this level means accentuating the lower registries by adding lower frequencies, and placing atmospheric and musical elements in the surround channels. If you don't plan on doing that, what's the use of calling it a DTS 5.1 mix? Anyway, this is by far the best transfer I've ever seen of the film, but don't be looking for anything more than a slightly better than average transfer, and a glorified mono track.

I am slowly collecting DVDs of all the classic horror/science fiction movies I loved as a kid....Planet of the Apes was one of my favorites. I saw a version of it several years ago on cable tv that looked quite dated due to the poor picture quality. I was hesistant to order this DVD package but I took a risk given the positive reviews I read by others here. Well, my skepticism disappeared quickly after about five minutes into this picture. Quite frankly, I just could not believe the picture quality of this DVD!!! It looks like it was made yesterday! The Western location shots utilized during the first portion of the movie look visually stunning and breath-taking just as if I was observing it for the first time in a movie theatre. The sound quality is quite excellent as well.... Although there are heavy handed moments given its over the top message, the 35th anniversary easily holds it own and packs a powerful and timely message. Planet of the Apes offers a textbook lesson on power, prejudice and acceptance. Readers may disagree with me, but I also think that this is one of Heston's best performances on film. As far as plot and pacing, you get an exciting thrill ride of action and suspense rooting for "Taylor" in a battle of wits against the ruling ape hierarchy. Oh yeah, the ending (in the top 10 of all time movie endings) ain't too shabby either! Highly recommended...

I have to say that I agree with most of the negative comments already made here over the new "35th Anniversary" DVD edition of "Planet of the Apes" (1968). This appears to been something of a rush job on the part of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to please the die-hard fans of the film. Unfortunately this package doesn't contain enough of the things those very fans covet most: an extensive photo gallery of behind-the-scenes shots, deleted footage from well-known cut scenes, and a gallery of nearly every product ever released with the "Planet of the Apes" logo stamped on it. Also, most of the extra stuff here has been previously released on DVD, with only Roddy McDowall's private 16mm films taken during the production being the most fascinating extra on the two-disc set. Jerry Goldsmith provides a wonderful commentary but there are long stretches between his comments, and there's no isolated score, which would have been nice.

So what is there to get excited about? Well, finally this classic Science Fiction film is available in the anamorphic DVD format of 16X9. If you have a widescreen video display with progressive scan this movie is going to look marvelous. For a 1968 flick, the movie looks remarkably good, a tribute to the original Panavision photography. And the movie sounds better than ever, with a stereo that now finally approaches the original 4-track sound of the era. It's true that there's hardly any rear surround information, but this is typical of the era's mono surround track for four channel films.

If you're not a fan of the "Planet of the Apes" and hardly know anything of its production, then this DVD is going to tell you everything you'll want to know and more. After viewing everything on this disc you may want to "Escape from the Planet of the Apes." And if you are a member of the "Apes" cult of fans, then just keep writing to Fox for "more, more, more." There are still the four "Apes" sequels waiting to get the anamorphic treatment on DVD.

This is one of those movies, like Jaws, that has spawned so many sequels and parodies that it is easy to dismiss the original. After watching this movie recently in widescreen format, I am convinced of the power this movie holds. It is above all intelligent, even with what seems like a familiar premise. Time travel, space travel, nuclear war are well trodden themes in most SF books and movies, but this one is able to make them all work simultaneously in a unique way. At the center is Heston who is terrific as Taylor, a man who is caught between what he knows from the past and what he is experiencing in the future. Not to be overlooked is the great acting behind the makeup of Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter. They are able to convey great emotion behind the latex. The script is smart. The dialogue seems to breed more and more argument, intelligently. That is the sign of a good script working hand in hand with a good story. It breeds excellence. It doesnt happen often, especially in SF, but this movie is without question one of the very best SF films ever made.

This review refers to the Widescreen(2000/2001)DVD edition of "Planet Of The Apes"(1968)...

At 36 years old, this is a film that still packs a punch today, both as a social statement and for it's entertainment value as well. It's Sci-Fi at it's best. The film is as intriguing and captivating the 20th time around as it was the first.

Astronaut Taylor(Charlton Heston),leads his crew on a mission to start a new human colony on a far off distant planet. Three men and one woman are the Adams and Eve of the future. Two men are there for the glory(and the woman is not too bad either), But Taylor has his own reasons for going. From the first few scenes, we learn what type of man he is. Somewhere along the line, he has lost his faith in Humanity, and has become a bit of a cynic. For him leaving Earth was his ticket out.

Things go awry though, and when the ship crash lands on some "far off distant" planet, milleniums ahead, they find themselves being chased and hunted by the ruling class inhabitants of this planet...APES! It's an upside world, as the humans are considered "beasts", caged, used as lab rats for the Apes, and are even used for sport. Humans seem to be the lowest form of creature in exsistence on this planet. The film doesn't leave it at that though, there is even class distinction among the Simians.

Franklin Schaffner("Patton") directs this film to perfection... It's got something for everybody. A great story, really giving you something to think about, thrilling action sequences, outstanding performances, incredible make up and costuming, brillant photography, and even if you don't usually go in for Sci-Fi this is one although futuristic, is primitive in nature(no laser weapons or high-tech gadgetry used here). Heston even manages to find a little romance(very little), in his new digs.

Charton Heston is magnifcent as George "Bright Eyes",("Get your stinkin paws off of me, you damned dirty ape") Taylor. And check out the talent behind the great ape make-up. Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter (STELLA!..."A Streetcat Named Desire"), James Daly, James Whitmore and Maurice Evans, are all superb at monkeying around! This film also introduces Linda Harrison as "Nova"..later on, her parents would make an interplanetary trip of their own in "Cocoon".

This film was given some great attention to the transfer to DVD. This edition has a crystal clear picture in widescreen, and takes in all the action and scenery. Colors are rich and look new. The fabulous sound is available in both DD5.1 and Stereo Surround. It may also be viewed in French and has subtitles in English and Spanish. The only features on this one include a photo gallery and some trailers. It looks like Amazon is out of stock of this edition, at this time, but I see some pretty good buys from the outside sellers. If you can't get enough of this film, there is also the 2 disc, 35 year anniversary edition,with a ton of extras, but is quite a bit more expensive. The reviews for both editions are mixed together, so just click on the product page for the edition you are interested in(look in 'other formats' in the product info section for a link).

"IT'S A MADHOUSE!!!!!"...Taylor
Enjoy....Laurie

for sc-fi fans:
Sci-Fi Channel Trivia Book

+++++

(Note that this review is for the 35TH Anniversary DVD Edition of this movie released by Fox Home Entertainment in Feb. 2004.)

This movie, based on the excellent and imaginative 1963 novel of the same name by French author Pierre Boulle, is about four astronauts who crash-land on an unknown planet in the year 3978. One dies in the spacecraft and the three remaining astronauts Commander Taylor (Charlton Heston), Dodge (Jeff Burton), and Landon (Robert Gunner) explore the planet that according to Taylor is "320 light years from Earth...in orbit around a star in the constellation of Orion."

These three soon discover a terrifying truth: this "madhouse" planet is ruled by intelligent apes that hunt primitive, mute humans. The ones they don't kill for sport are captured and used in scientific experiments that leave those experimented on either in a vegetative state or dead.

Dodge is not so fortunate in a hunt (where gorillas hunt humans) but Landon, Taylor and a mute woman Taylor befriends named Nova (Linda Harrison) are captured and brought back to Ape City. Luckily, Taylor or "Bright Eyes" meets two open-minded chimpanzee scientists Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter) and Dr. Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) that try to protect him due to his obvious uniqueness from the close-minded orangutan High Minister of Science Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans). Unfortunately, Landon was not so lucky.

Dr. Zaius is also the Minister of Religion who keeps the sacred scrolls of the ape "Lawgiver." (These scrolls are like the human Bible.) One of these scrolls provides a warning:

"Beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil's pawn, alone among God's primates. He kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him, drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death."

This movie is grand entertainment from its visually stimulating beginning to its chilling, unforgettable last moment where Taylor, realizing what's happened, yells "Damn you, God damn you all to Hell." It is a first-rate science fiction adventure that both thrills and poses to the viewer some soul-searching questions.

The acting is superb. This was Linda Harrison's first movie role. All actors in their ape make-up do good acting jobs especially Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall. Special mention should go to Maurice Evans for his fine performance as the stern Dr. Zaius. The legendary Charlton Heston carries the movie as the cynical Taylor.

The ape make-up is very convincing. It's obvious why this movie won an Honorary Academy Award for Outstanding Make-up Achievement.

The spell-binding background music definitely adds to each scene. It's easy to see why this movie was nominated for an Oscar for Original Score.

The brilliant screenplay for this movie was co-written by the late, great Rod Serling and it shows on-screen.

This DVD picture and sound are exceptional (certainly better than my VHS version). There are eighteen extras in the form of such things as commentaries, documentaries, promos, outtakes, and galleries.

Finally, there is a sequel to this movie called "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970) also on DVD. There are also three prequels to this movie made in the early 1970s. A "remake" of this original 1968 movie was also made in 2001. (Actually, there is no similarity between the remake and the original.) Charlton Heston and Linda Harrison were the only actors from the original to appear in this "remake."

In conclusion, this is a unique, exciting movie that makes you think and is now on a special DVD. Never has Ape City looked so good!! Also see why Charlton Heston yells the memorable line, "Take your stinking paws off me, you damn, dirty ape!"

(1968; 110 min; 2 discs; widescreen)

+++++

Grade "A" sci-fi movie. This was Charlton Heston in his prime - before "Midway", "Earthquake", and "Gray Lady Down"... and after the great ones "Ben Hur", "Touch Of Evil", and "Ten Commandments". An Oscar winner for John Chambers' monkey make-up. Along with Heston (Col. George Talyor), Roddy McDowall (Cornelius), Kim Hunter (Zira), Maurice Evans (Zaius), and the mute love interest Linda Harrison (Nova) all give outstanding supporting roles. Released in February 1968, this movie was way ahead of it's time. A great idea with apes ruling the planet that man once ruled... how clever to take an idea so simple and turn it upside down. The final scene (filmed at Zuma Beach, CA) is defined as "classic"... and even tho there is no big bang or special effects extravaganza, the last 5 minutes of this movie will leave you with your mouth agape. With all the hub-bub over the new (2001) Tim Burton "reimagination" of this film (which in my opinion was a huge let down)... I would have thought this particular DVD would've had more to offer in the way of extra goodies... not so. This DVD will give you the 112 minute film in necessary widescreen format, a photo gallery, & trailer(s). No interviews, deleted scenes or behind the scenes simian stuff at all... too bad. A classic film (5 stars).

Version: U.S.A / FOX / Region A, B, C
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50 / BD+ / High Profile 4.1
Running time: 1:52:02
Movie size: 27,96 GB
Disc size: 44,95 GB
Total bit rate: 33.28 Mbps
Average video bit rate: 26.33 Mbps

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2312 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2312 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio French 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps
DTS Express English 96 kbps 1.0 / 48 kHz / 96 kbps / 24-bit

Subtitles: English SDH / Chinese / French / Korean / Spanish
Number of chapters: 28

#Commentaries
#Documentary: Behind the Planet of the Apes (SD - 118 minutes)
#Galleries (SD)
#Theatrical Trailers (HD)
#Featurettes
--A Look Behind the Planet of the Apes (SD - 15 minutes)
--1967 NATO Presentation (SD - 10 minutes)
--Original 1968 (SD - 5 minutes)
--Raw Footage Archive (SD - 57 minutes)
--Impact of the Apes (HD - 11 minutes)
--Evolution of the Apes (HD - 23 minutes)
#Science of the Apes (Bonus View)
#Interactive Game: Beyond the Forbidden Zone (HD)
#ANSA Public Service Announcement (HD)