Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

After cats and dogs die, apes become slaves, and then one super-smart ape gets really mad and starts a massive primate uprising, because obviously.

🍿 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Apes as Slaves in a Dystopian Future

Set in 1991, a plague has wiped out cats and dogs, leading to apes becoming household pets. As apes demonstrate increased intelligence and trainability, they are exploited as slaves in all aspects of human society. This has led to a militaristic police state where apes are treated brutally. Armando (Ricardo Montalban) does his best to protect Caesar from this dark reality.

Caesar’s Revelation and Armando’s Sacrifice

Caesar, the son of Cornelius and Zira, has been secretly raised by Armando. When Caesar witnesses the cruelty inflicted upon his fellow apes, he cries out in anger. Armando takes responsibility to protect Caesar’s identity, turning himself in to the authorities. However, the police suspect Armando is hiding the truth, and they use extreme methods to interrogate him, forcing Armando to sacrifice himself to protect Caesar.

The Spark of Rebellion

Witnessing Armando’s sacrifice and experiencing the brutality of the ape management system, Caesar loses faith in humanity. He begins to organize and train the other apes in combat, secretly gathering weapons for an uprising. Caesar’s actions demonstrate his transformation from a protected individual to a leader of a growing rebellion, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Caesar (Roddy McDowall): The intelligent son of Cornelius and Zira who leads the ape revolution against their human oppressors.
• Governor Breck (Don Murray): The ruthless governor who oversees the ape slavery system and becomes a target of Caesar’s rebellion.
• Armando (Ricardo Montalban): The compassionate circus owner who protects Caesar and tries to shield him from humanity’s cruelty.
• Lisa (Natalie Trundy): A female ape and Caesar’s love interest, who is one of the first apes to speak besides Caesar.
• MacDonald (Hari Rhodes): Governor Breck’s sympathetic aide who secretly supports the apes’ cause due to his own ancestry as a descendant of slaves.
• Kolp (Severn Darden): The cold and calculating inspector who suspects Armando of hiding Cornelius and Zira’s son.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Caesar: “Where there is fire, there is smoke. And in that smoke, from this day forward, my people will crouch and conspire and plot and plan for the inevitable day of Man’s downfall. The day when he finally is crushed into the dust from which he sprang.” – Caesar delivers this powerful speech at the climax, signaling the ape’s determination to overthrow humanity.
• MacDonald: “Violence prolongs hate, hate prolongs violence. By what right are you spilling blood?” – MacDonald, a black man, pleads with Caesar to show restraint and humanity, drawing parallels to the struggles of his own ancestors.
• Caesar: “But, I was not born human.” – Caesar’s response to MacDonald highlights the divide and inherent conflict between apes and humans.
• Caesar: “Tonight, we have seen the birth of the Planet of the Apes!” – Caesar proclaims the beginning of a new era after the ape revolt, solidifying their ascendance over mankind.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,700,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,043,472
• Worldwide Gross: $9,043,472

💥 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so “Conquest” isn’t the flashiest of the Apes movies, but man, it hit me hard! Seeing the apes treated like slaves was genuinely disturbing, and Caesar’s rage felt so real. The scene where he finally snaps and starts leading the revolt? Chills! It definitely made me think about how we treat animals and what happens when people are pushed too far.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of science fiction films with social commentary”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian narratives about rebellion”
  • “Those who appreciate Roddy McDowall’s performance as Caesar”
  • “Individuals who are intrigued by the Planet of the Apes franchise”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Animal cruelty”
  • “Themes of slavery and oppression”
  • “Some disturbing scenes of torture”

Professional Reviews

• ScreenRant: “”Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” addresses themes of slavery and oppression directly, mirroring racial conflicts in the early 70s. Roddy McDowall’s powerful performance as Caesar highlights the film’s strengths despite its lower budget. The movie’s exploration of the cycle of violence and the abuse of power makes it a relevant commentary on society.
• N/A: “Roddy McDowall elevates “Conquest” beyond its budget with his intense portrayal of Caesar. Though the ape masks show their age, the film’s focus on Caesar’s character, a time-traveling ape dealing with modern simian oppression, adds intelligence to action. The film is thought-provoking science fiction despite low-budget restraints.

Audience Reactions

The ape revolt scenes were thrilling and well-executed, given the budget constraints.: Viewers often appreciate Roddy McDowall’s performance and the film’s relevant social commentary on oppression.

The stark, futuristic setting created a compelling backdrop for the apes’ struggle.: Many admire the film’s ambition and willingness to tackle tough themes, despite its limitations.

Overall Consensus: While hampered by a lower budget, “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” remains a compelling entry in the series due to its potent social commentary and Roddy McDowall’s commanding performance.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The futuristic cityscapes were filmed at the then-new Century City complex in Los Angeles to create a modern look on a limited budget.”
• “The film’s violent content was significantly cut before release to secure a PG rating, impacting the original ending and some battle scenes.”
• “Roddy McDowall plays Caesar, the son of Cornelius and Zira, making him the central character and continuing his involvement in the series.”
• “Paul Dehn, the screenwriter, incorporated references to the racial conflicts in North America during the early 1970s, using the ape slavery theme as an allegory.”

🖥️ How to Watch Conquest of the Planet of the Apes?

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability. Some platforms may also offer the film as part of a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, you might like these similar films:

• Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973): Direct sequel continuing Caesar’s story and the aftermath of the ape revolution.
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): Modern reimagining of the ape uprising, exploring similar themes of animal cruelty and rebellion with advanced CGI.
• Spartacus (1960): Historical epic about a slave revolt against the Roman Republic, sharing similar themes of oppression and the fight for freedom.
• Animal Farm (1954): Animated allegorical propaganda piece where farm animals revolt against their human farmer, highlighting themes of revolution.

🛒 Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Related Products

• Planet of The Apes Legacy Collection: Get all the original Planet of the Apes movies in one collection. Enjoy the movies that started it all.
• NECA Ultimate Caesar Action Figure: This highly detailed action figure of Caesar comes with multiple points of articulation and accessories, perfect for recreating iconic scenes from the movie.
• Planet of the Apes Movie Poster Set: High-quality posters featuring artwork from all the Planet of the Apes movies, including Conquest. Perfect for decorating any fan’s space.
• Planet of the Apes Blu-Ray Collection: Own the complete original Planet of the Apes series on Blu-Ray. Enjoy restored versions of all your favorite Apes movies.

🎧 Soundtrack

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Tom Scott
• “Ape Management” – performed by Tom Scott
• “The Uprising” – performed by Tom Scott

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dr. Zaius Was Right

Ever thought the apes might have a point? This video makes a compelling case for why Dr. Zaius and the ‘villains’ might have been justified. I found it super interesting how it reframes the whole conflict!

The Importance Of Race In The Planet Of The Apes Movies

Did you know ‘Planet of the Apes’ movies are loaded with racial themes? This video breaks down how race plays a significant role, especially in ‘Conquest’. Honestly, it made me see the movie in a totally different light!

44 Facts You Didn’t Know About Planet of the Apes

Think you know everything about ‘Planet of the Apes’? Think again! This video drops 44 mind-blowing facts you probably never heard before. Some of these ‘Conquest’ tidbits are wild!

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