Planet of the Apes

The year is unknown, lost to the deep sleep of space travel. A lone spacecraft plunges through the atmosphere, its descent violent and uncontrolled. Inside, astronaut George Taylor awakens to a nightmare: a world of savage humans, hunted and silenced by a society of intelligent, articulate apes. He stumbles through a bizarre, alien landscape, desperate to understand this horrifying reality. Captured and enslaved, Taylor encounters Zira, a compassionate chimpanzee scientist, and her skeptical fiancé, Cornelius, an archaeologist with unorthodox theories about the planet’s past. Their sympathy is a flicker of hope in a world dominated by figures like Dr. Zaius, the stern and powerful orangutan who sees Taylor as a dangerous anomaly, a threat to the established order. As Taylor fights for survival, he uncovers a shocking secret, a truth buried deep within the Planet of the Apes that will challenge everything he thought he knew about humanity and its place in the cosmos.

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

In the distant future, astronaut George Taylor, along with his crew including the ill-fated Landon and Dodge, crash lands on what appears to be an alien planet after years of suspended animation. They soon discover a terrifying reality: the planet is inhabited by intelligent, talking apes who have established a structured society where humans are mute, primitive creatures used for labor and sport. Captured and subjected to brutal treatment, Taylor struggles to communicate his intelligence, desperately trying to prove he is more than just another animal. He finds unlikely allies in Zira, a compassionate chimpanzee scientist, and her fiancé Cornelius, an archaeologist, who are intrigued by Taylor’s abilities and suspect a hidden history. As Taylor uncovers the shocking truth about the planet’s past and the apes’ origins, he becomes a symbol of rebellion for the oppressed humans. His growing defiance clashes with the ape establishment, particularly Dr. Zaius, the chief defender of ape dogma, who vehemently opposes any challenge to their supremacy. In a climactic escape, Taylor flees with Nova, a mute human woman, venturing into the forbidden zone, where the devastating secret of the planet is fully revealed, leaving Taylor in despair as he realizes he was home all along, and humanity destroyed itself.

Details

In “Planet of the Apes,” a thought-provoking science fiction adventure, astronaut George Taylor, played by Charlton Heston, finds his mission going awry as his spacecraft crash lands on a seemingly deserted planet. He soon discovers that this world is far from uninhabited; it’s ruled by a society of intelligent apes who have enslaved the primitive humans. Taylor, along with his fellow surviving astronaut Landon, is captured and subjected to the apes’ cruel experiments and sport, thrusting him into a desperate fight for survival. Amidst this terrifying reality, Taylor encounters Zira, a compassionate chimpanzee scientist portrayed by Kim Hunter, and Cornelius, played by Roddy McDowall, an archeologist. They see Taylor as more than just an animal, intrigued by his intelligence and ability to speak. Zira and Cornelius become Taylor’s unlikely allies, risking their own social standing to help him prove his sentience to the skeptical ape council, particularly the staunch Dr. Zaius, portrayed by Maurice Evans, who vehemently opposes the idea of human equality and holds a dark secret about the planet’s origins. As Taylor navigates this bizarre and dangerous world, he forms a bond with a mute human woman named Nova, played by Linda Harrison, challenging the established social order and uncovering a shocking truth about the planet’s past that will forever alter his perception of humanity and its place in the universe. The film explores themes of prejudice, power, and the cyclical nature of civilization, culminating in a chilling and unforgettable climax.

FAQs

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What is the basic plot of Planet of the Apes (1968)?

Astronaut Taylor crash lands on a planet ruled by apes who treat humans as primitive beings. He finds himself hunted and must rely on a chimpanzee scientist for help.

Who are the main actors in Planet of the Apes?

The main actors are Charlton Heston as George Taylor, Roddy McDowall as Cornelius, and Kim Hunter as Zira.

What genres does this movie fall into?

Planet of the Apes is a science fiction, adventure, drama, and action film.

When was Planet of the Apes originally released?

The movie was released on February 7, 1968.

What production companies were involved in making the movie?

APJAC Productions and 20th Century Fox produced the movie.

Who directed Planet of the Apes?

Franklin J. Schaffner directed the film.

Who wrote the screenplay for Planet of the Apes?

Michael Wilson and Rod Serling wrote the screenplay, based on the novel by Pierre Boulle.

What was the budget for Planet of the Apes?

The budget for the film was $5,800,000.

What was the revenue generated by Planet of the Apes?

The movie grossed $32,589,624 in revenue.

What is the runtime of Planet of the Apes?

The film has a runtime of 112 minutes.

What is the tagline for the movie?

The tagline is: Somewhere in the Universe, there must be something better than man!

Is Planet of the Apes part of a movie collection?

Yes, it belongs to the Planet of the Apes (Original) Collection.

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