Planet of the Apes

Name: Planet of the Apes
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi
Released: April 3, 1968
Duration: 112 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall

1968

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 101 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 101 Ratings

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Planet Of The Apes

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: April 3, 1968 | G

Starring: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall

Summary: An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner

Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rating: G

Runtime: 112 min

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Critic Reviews

100

IndieWire Staff (Not Credited)

A brilliant synthesis of story, theme, performance and innovation. Read full review

100

Keith Phipps

Its social conscience and deep concern with what it means to be human remains unspoiled. Read full review

100

Empire Andrew Collins

A film rich with unforgettable imagery, killer lines and physical thrills. Read full review

Bill Weber

Planet of the Apes became a blockbuster because it’s cannily crafted, in part, as a ripping adventure yarn, director Franklin Schaffner staging a long desert trek for survival by Taylor and his two surviving shipmates in the opening half-hour, a brilliant “hunt” sequence with gorillas pursuing the human brutes as targets and trophies (memorably enhanced by Jerry Goldsmith’s dissonant, percussive score), and a lengthy chase sequence where the escaped spaceman leaps and dodges past hairy denizens of church, museum, and marketplace. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff (Not Credited)

PLANET OF THE APES is a success on many levels, with a witty, intelligent script by Rod Serling and a suitably hot-tempered, athletic performance from Charlton Heston. Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter are highly effective as a sympathetic ape scientist and doctor, respectively, with John Chambers's superb latex makeup allowing them a full range of expressive facial gestures. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Planet of the Apes is much better than I expected it to be. It is quickly paced, completely entertaining, and its philosophical pretensions don't get in the way. If you only condescend to see an adventure thriller on rare occasions, condescend this time. You have nothing to lower but your brow. Read full review

Pat Graham

Dismal SF deep think that gave birth to an equally dismal string of sequels and TV spin-offs. Read full review

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User Reviews

JWFS

Apr 23, 2020

Um dos melhores filmes de todos os tempos.. com certeza o melhor da franquia

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ItsAllOgre5

Jul 14, 2017

An immortal classic. It might be a little slow to start, but it has excellent pacing and acting. I'm also extremely impressed by how much the actors were able to express under all that excellent make-up. The characters are all very well done; you really get a feel for Taylor's desperation atAn immortal classic. It might be a little slow to start, but it has excellent pacing and acting. I'm also extremely impressed by how much the actors were able to express under all that excellent make-up. The characters are all very well done; you really get a feel for Taylor's desperation at the beginning, being chased around and locked up. He doesn't want to e treated like a wild animal, but then when he has control, you feel his sheer confidence, like when he holds a certain character hostage. This movie also tackles prejudice in a smart way, since the apes do not just blindly hate humans, but they want to retrain humans for their history of warfare and violence. Then you have Zira who wants to better understand the humans while still exercising caution. The characters behave realistically. Planet of the Apes is just a timeless movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Detento4587

Nov 27, 2018

Note:9.6
50 years later and Planet Of Apes continues to have the same brilliance, his script is magical and passes a great message that until today is very reflexive, a good direction that can set the tone of the film in the first and only attempt, not counting the end , which brings us oneNote:9.6
50 years later and Planet Of Apes continues to have the same brilliance, his script is magical and passes a great message that until today is very reflexive, a good direction that can set the tone of the film in the first and only attempt, not counting the end , which brings us one of the biggest plot-twist in film history. A revolutionary film for the genre of science fiction and one of my favorite films.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BlackManta67

May 29, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Planet of the Apes is the masterpiece that Arthur P. Jacobs envisioned it to be before Pierre Boulle finished his book La Planète des singes that the film would be based on. Even through its difficulty of finding a studio that would produce the film, Rewriting Rod Sterling’s script that took thirty drafts and and over a year to write, recasting Hollywood legend Edward G. Robinson for the role of Dr. Zaius, balancing its budget, dealing with a hot climate, and most famously, creating believable apes. Its distinct score crafted wonderfully by Jerry Goldsmith flows beautifully with Leon Shamroy’s cinematography and William J. Creber’s sets. What this crew has accomplished is truly a work of art with a unique political awareness and style that remains iconic to this day. And that’s without even mentioning the actors! Charlton Heston knocks his role out of the park in his performance of the cynical astronaut Taylor, Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter perfectly portray the two ape scientists Cornelius and Dr. Zira even through the difficulty of the makeup, Linda Harrison portrays the ‘savage’ human Nova to a tee considering her lack of lines, and Robert Gunner and Jeff Burton pull of convincing co-astronauts as Landon and Dodge who both synergize with Charleton Heston’s character Taylor in the first act of the film. Speaking of the plot, the opening scene establishes Taylor’s beliefs effectively in such a small amount of time and manages to establish the tone of the film, as it should. The effects put into the spaceship crash still hold up after fifty years and the script in the first act convincingly depicts the three astronauts, their conflicting views, and their constant attempt of survival in the desertous region later called the ‘Forbidden Zone.’ The scene were the Gorillas hunt the humans is the golden standard for all action scenes. The second act does a fantastic job at putting the audience in Taylor’s agonizingly frustrating situation of containment and state of nonacceptance. The chase scene through the ape scene is professionally shot and the human museum within it containing the remains of Dodge is terrifying. The third act capitalizes on suspense as Lucious breaks Taylor out of his cage and they all make for the dig site in the caves. The surprise of the human artifacts in the archeological dig, particularly the doll that speaks, provides a hint at the iconic big reveal at the end of the film, which is gorgeously shot and beautifully executed, especially with the well-written script.
Overall, the film is a science fiction/dystopian masterpiece as the stunning visuals and music guides the audience through this thought provoking new planet of the apes to bask in its nihilistic and sociopolitical themes. It really is a masterpiece, and who would have thought so, other than Producer Arthur P. Jacobs.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

eva3si0n

Jul 27, 2022

Planet of the Apes is the first film in the franchise. Perhaps it is the most lamp, but it looks unusual when viewed in 2022. Although the film cannot be said outdated, it looks cheerful enough. The first half of the film is somewhat delayed, but fortunately, at least the end of the filmPlanet of the Apes is the first film in the franchise. Perhaps it is the most lamp, but it looks unusual when viewed in 2022. Although the film cannot be said outdated, it looks cheerful enough. The first half of the film is somewhat delayed, but fortunately, at least the end of the film gives the answer to the main question to the viewer. An excellent film that fulfills its task - to interest the viewer in the franchise… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

r96sk

Feb 25, 2022

Having seen all three films from the rebooted series, I came into watching the original series expecting something relatively similar. To my pleasant surprise, it's a very different story.

It's a fascinating dynamic that is set up in this version, which I in fact prefer compared to theHaving seen all three films from the rebooted series, I came into watching the original series expecting something relatively similar. To my pleasant surprise, it's a very different story.

It's a fascinating dynamic that is set up in this version, which I in fact prefer compared to the films from the 2010s - as entertaining as they are in their own right. It's nicely paced and features good cinematography.

The cast of 1968's 'Planet of the Apes' are very good. Charlton Heston, as you might expect, sticks out the most, but Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans are good too. Everyone else is solid, as well.

The effects haven't aged amazingly, for example the ape make-up/costumes are dated and clunky - particularly when the characters are speaking. That's all forgivable of course, given the release year. It's all still effective, either way.

8/10 - very close to being 9/10 in truth.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Termin8ter

Jul 22, 2017

I know lots of people hail this film as a masterpiece and everything, but I really wanted to like this movie (as I am a fan of Rise, Dawn, and War of the Planet of the Apes) but I just did not. Sure, this movie has decent acting, and good special effects, but I was just bored during prettyI know lots of people hail this film as a masterpiece and everything, but I really wanted to like this movie (as I am a fan of Rise, Dawn, and War of the Planet of the Apes) but I just did not. Sure, this movie has decent acting, and good special effects, but I was just bored during pretty much the whole film.(with the exception of a few scenes)… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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