Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Name: Escape from the Planet of the Apes
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Released: May 21, 1971
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall

1971

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

See All

7.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.0	Your Score
7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Now Playing: Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: May 21, 1971 | G

Starring: Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall

Summary: The world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a U.S. spacecraft. They become the toast of society; but one man believes them to be a threat to the human race.

Director: Don Taylor

Genre(s): Action, Sci-Fi

Rating: G

Runtime: 98 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

IndieWire Staff (Not Credited)

Escape from Planet of the Apes is, in fact, a superior film in many ways to the first, but is lacking that film’s freshness and originality. Still: an undeniable high watermark for the franchise. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes gets the series back on track, sending three apes back to the 20th century for a story that begins comically and ends in fear and loathing. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Escape from the Planet of the Apes is an excellent film, almost as good as the original Planet of the Apes. Arthur Jacobs’ production is marked by an outstanding script, using some of the original Pierre Boulle novel characters; excellent direction by Don Taylor; and superior performances from a cast headed by encoring Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter. Read full review

Chris Tilly

McDowell is as good as ever here – this time playing Cornelius – while Kim Hunter is hugely sympathetic as Zira. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Former actor Don Taylor directs smoothly and efficiently and elicits fine performances from the cast, highlighted by the warm relationship between Zira, (a touching Kim Hunter) and Cornelius, knowingly played by Roddy McDowall, who returns in the role after being replaced in the first sequel because he was directing a movie (TAM-LIN) at the time. Read full review

Sam Toy

With the potency of the central idea diminishing, Escape still manages the tricky move of carrying on a story that really should have ended with the last film, while setting up the series' mythology and paving the way for future chapters. But it's still a dilution. Read full review

Time Out London Staff (Not Credited)

It's a long way down from even the second in the series. Read full review

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

amheretojudge

Dec 8, 2018

Taylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself.

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes Taylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself. TheTaylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself.

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes

Taylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself. The concept is a mature taken on human nature peeled skin by skin with a sci-fi twist of time travelling ingredient that spices things up. The first half of the tale is intriguing and gripping that moves fluently with adaptive and absorbing narration with both humor and fascinating characteristics displayed about characters in order to lure the audience in. And if first half is taken lightly, the second half is equally intense, with slow pace, mature conversation and revelations and nail biting close calls.

And it is one of those things where you are worried about these extremely likeable characters that something will go wrong. And the makers being aware of it, uses that crisp tense environment to keep us at the brisk of our emotions. And on that uncertainty of the trajectory that the makers are about to follow, it is a complete triumph. And as usually such new species does, the innocence is what draws out most of the emotions and with a compelling storytelling and moving characters, the objective is jaggedly on mark. McDowall as a mature overprotective and more grounded to the practicality is convincing but Hunter's more human and emotionally fueled character steals the show.

With a heartbreaking final act, the franchise manages to answer the big and essential questions raised in here, that shows the surrender of a species to fear, thirst and unawareness of the horror that it can capture and project. Taylor's vision has a certain tone that is soothing and poignant at the same time which he has managed to keep it balanced. Escape From The Planet Of The Apes is a forward pass to this franchise on a more similar direction but it is also pushing its boundaries.… Expand