Planet of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy astronaut travels to what he thinks is an alien planet only to discover that humanity doomed themselves and apes are now running things.

🍿 Planet of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Crash Landing

In the year 3978 AD, astronaut George Taylor and his crew crash land on an unknown planet after a long journey through space. They discover that one of their crew members, Stewart, has died during the voyage due to a malfunction in her hibernation chamber. The surviving astronauts venture out to explore the strange new world.

Encountering the Apes

The astronauts soon encounter primitive humans who are mute and behave like animals. However, their initial shock turns to horror when they are attacked by intelligent, talking apes riding on horseback. Taylor is shot in the throat during the chaos, rendering him unable to speak, and he, along with the other captured humans, are taken to Ape City.

Life in Ape City

In Ape City, Taylor discovers a highly structured society where apes are the dominant species, and humans are treated as inferior beings. He is subjected to experiments and treated as a mere animal. However, he finds allies in two chimpanzees, Dr. Zira, an animal psychologist, and Dr. Cornelius, an archaeologist, who are intrigued by his intelligence.

Taylor’s Revelation and Escape

Taylor manages to communicate his intelligence to Zira and Cornelius, proving that he is more than just a simple animal. This revelation threatens the established order, especially the religious and political leader, Dr. Zaius. With the help of Zira and Cornelius, Taylor escapes Ape City with Nova, a mute human female.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Taylor (Charlton Heston): A cynical astronaut who crash-lands on a planet ruled by apes and struggles to maintain his humanity.
• Cornelius (Roddy McDowall): An open-minded chimpanzee archaeologist who questions established ape society and helps Taylor.
• Zira (Kim Hunter): A compassionate chimpanzee psychologist who sympathizes with Taylor and challenges ape prejudices.
• Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans): An orangutan and chief defender of the ape establishment, determined to suppress knowledge of human history.
• Nova (Linda Harrison): A mute human woman who becomes close to Taylor and represents humanity’s primal state.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George Taylor: “Take your stinking paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” – Taylor shouts this iconic line after regaining his voice, asserting his humanity and defiance against his ape captors.
• Dr. Zaius: “I never met an ape who could remove a splinter from his foot.” – Dr. Zaius expresses his skepticism about human intelligence during Taylor’s trial, highlighting the ape society’s view of humans as inferior beings.
• Dr. Zaius: “Don’t look for it, Taylor. You may not like what you find.” – Zaius warns Taylor against seeking the truth about the planet’s past, hinting at the horrifying revelation to come.
• George Taylor: “You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!” – Taylor’s anguished scream upon discovering the remains of the Statue of Liberty, realizing the planet is a ruined Earth.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.8M
• Domestic Gross: $32.6M
• Worldwide Gross: $32.6M

💥 Planet of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

Planet of the Apes had a huge impact on me when I first saw it. The ending is still chilling, the ape makeup is fantastic for the time, and Heston’s performance is great. I was so engrossed in the movie, I forgot it was just sci-fi. The exploration of societal roles and prejudice is deep, and I was left pondering human nature long after the credits rolled. This is a must-see for any movie fan.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic science fiction movies.”
  • “Viewers interested in films with strong social commentary.”
  • “Those who enjoy stories with unexpected plot twists.”
  • “People interested in films that explore philosophical themes about humanity.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence, including scenes of human capture and implied animal cruelty.”
  • “Mature themes related to societal decay and potential self-destruction.”
  • “Some dated cultural representations.”
  • “Brief male nudity.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “An amazing film. A political-sociological allegory cast in the mold of futuristic science-fiction. It is an intriguing blend of chilling satire, a sometimes ludicrous juxtaposition of human and ape mores, optimism and pessimism. Strong entertainment assets for general audiences, plus concurrent appeal to more sophisticated viewers, add up to excellent box office prospects.
• Pauline Kael, The New Yorker: “One of the best science-fiction fantasies ever to come out of Hollywood. This movie is efficient and craftsmanlike; it’s conceived and carried out for maximum popular appeal, though with a cautionary message. Schaffner uses space and distance dramatically. The desolate landscapes of the Utah and Arizona National Parks make an appropriate setting.

Audience Reactions

The twist ending completely shocked me.: Viewers are amazed by the film’s unforgettable and shocking ending, finding it one of the most impactful in cinematic history.

The ape makeup was fantastic and the apes seemed realistic.: Spectators are highly appreciative of the innovative makeup design and realistic portrayal of the ape characters, enhancing the immersive experience.

Overall Consensus: Planet of the Apes remains a seminal sci-fi film, celebrated for its thought-provoking themes, iconic twist ending, and groundbreaking makeup. Despite its age, it continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Honorary Award)- 1969

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Charlton Heston was so committed to the role that he insisted on wearing his character’s tattered clothing and minimal props throughout the entire shoot, even during breaks.”
• “During breaks in filming, actors in ape makeup tended to socialize within their species: gorillas with gorillas, chimpanzees with chimpanzees, and orangutans with orangutans, mirroring the social hierarchy depicted in the film.”
• “The elaborate ape makeup, designed by John Chambers, took several hours to apply each day. Actors had to arrive on set extremely early to begin the transformation process.”

🖥️ How to Watch Planet of the Apes?

Planet of the Apes (1968) is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies & TV for rental or purchase. Check your local listings for TV airings as well. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are also readily available from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Shares a similar release year and groundbreaking science fiction themes, exploring humanity’s place in the universe and the potential for our own destruction.
• The Omega Man (1971): Features Charlton Heston in another post-apocalyptic scenario, this time battling mutated humans, which, like ‘Planet of the Apes,’ explores themes of societal collapse.
• District 9 (2009): A modern science fiction film that uses an alien invasion allegory to comment on social issues like apartheid and discrimination, similar to ‘Planet of the Apes’ use of ape society.
• Arrival (2016): Explores themes of communication and understanding across species, similar to Planet of the Apes, but with a more philosophical and less action-oriented approach.

🛒 Planet of the Apes Related Products

• Planet of the Apes (Limited Edition): A premium collector’s edition featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content, remastered visuals, and a commemorative booklet.
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Movie Poster: High-quality poster featuring artwork from the latest Planet of the Apes movie, signed by the cast.
• Planet of the Apes Action Figures: Set of highly detailed action figures featuring iconic characters like Taylor, Zira, Cornelius, and Dr. Zaius.
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes T-shirt: A stylish t-shirt featuring logo of the new Planet of the Apes movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

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 Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Searchers” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Clothes Snatchers” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “A New Identity” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “A Trial” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dave thinks Planet of the Apes is Judgmental #shorts

Looking for a good laugh? Watch Dave Chappelle’s hilarious take on ‘Planet of the Apes’ as he explores the movie’s themes in a witty and thought-provoking way.

Planet of the Apes 1968 ( FILMING LOCATION VIDEO) Charlton Heston Ending

Get ready to explore the real-world landscapes that brought the desolate planet of Planet of the Apes to life in this captivating video.

Planet of the Apes (1968) Movie Review

Prepare for an in-depth cinematic journey as Cinemassacre reviews the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie, providing insightful commentary and a fresh perspective that will enhance your understanding of this classic.

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