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

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Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 32 Ratings

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Escape from the Planet of the Apes

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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

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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

TV Guide Magazine 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

Empire 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

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User Reviews

r96sk

Feb 26, 2022

A very good sequel.

'Escape from the Planet of the Apes' is a clear improvement on (the good) 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' and isn't that far adrift from the 1968 original. The plot is out there but they make it believable, while the ending is quite something - unexpectedly so! Neat toA very good sequel.

'Escape from the Planet of the Apes' is a clear improvement on (the good) 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes' and isn't that far adrift from the 1968 original. The plot is out there but they make it believable, while the ending is quite something - unexpectedly so!

Neat to see Roddy McDowall return to his role from 'Planet of the Apes', while co-star Kim Hunter continues once again. I like those two characters so enjoyed seeing them become 'the stars' of this third release of the franchise.

Onwards to 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes'.… Expand