018 Planet of the Apes (1968)

“TAKE YOUR STINKING PAWS OFF ME, YOU DAMN DIRTY APE!“

On this episode, we go back to the oldest movie we’ve done to date, with Planet of the Apes , directed by Franklin J. Schaffner starring the controversial Hollywood icon, Charlton Heston. We go back to 1968 and try to figure out just why this film based off of the ‘63 novel by Pierre Boulle inspired 4 sequels, a remake, a reboot trilogy, and multiple TV series, comic books and video games. Was this film even good, or was the bar for science fiction pre- Star Wars films just low?

We talk about how the future NRA president and early champion of the anti political correctness movement, Charlton Heston, might have been accidentally perfect in taking the role as George Taylor, a deeply flawed and hypocritical character. We also get into how Twilight Zone creator and known progressive, Rod Serling wrote the early drafts of the film, and what remains of his vision after former blacklisted writer, Michael Wilson finished the screenplay. What do these contrasting personalities bring to the modern viewing experience?

Even though this film is over 50 years old and very dated in terms of special effects and other things that contemporary audiences might find off putting, we learn just how much work went into the making of the prosthetics and make up to create the anthropomorphic Apes, and how that might have effected the Academy Award.

Also, what’s the deal with the sequel’s names? Beneath the Planet of the Apes? Escape from the Planet of the Apes? Conquest of the Planet of the Apes? Wait…what’s beneath the Planet of the Apes?

We’ve got a lot of opinions and factoids on this one! Come give us a listen, and make sure you stay tuned for our next episode. See you in two weeks!

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