I wish I could take anyone born during the past thirty years into a time machine that would erase all movie references during that time, so that they could see Planet of the Apes in pristine condition as I did when it was first released in 1968. That was a whole different experience than what is possible today, unless you have been living in isolation from civilization yourself without exposure to any of the sequels, spoofs, or talk from people who assume that you know that kicker at the end of the original.
I’m not going to discuss the plot because that has become such common knowledge, and if you don’t know the plot, do not ask anyone for a synopsis under any circumstances. Most people will end up spoiling the movie for you; I’m just glad that the friend who referred me to see it back in 1968 had enough sense to keep that part secret. From the title you realize that Charlton Heston will be landing on a planet where apes dominate, and that’s all you need to know. It’s an easy movie to follow, and a whole lot of fun.
For one thing, how can you miss with Charton Heston playing the leading character of Taylor? We’re not looking at any fancy Shakespearean style dialogue and acting here, and Heston perfectly fulfills the requirements of the role. The wooden acting so prevalent in The Ten Commandments and Ben Hurr comes to play here, as Heston mostly has to pose shirtless, jutting his profile before the camera and uttering nothing more complicated than, “Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!”
Heston gets to drop all idealistic pretenses of his Moses persona and play truer to his perceived NRA presidency role by playing a self-centered, nihilistic astronaut who found no love back on Earth. His forced laughter at the shipmate who places the American flag on the desolate planet seems very bizarre at first until we realize what a low opinion Taylor has of the human race. Heston remains the charismatic star of the film since the only acting competition he has all come dressed as apes.
Actually Kim Hunter plays in her most memorable role as Dr. Zira in this and in two more sequels. Although Hunter starred as Stella in Streetcar Named Desire in 1951, she will always be most noted for her role as the scientific ape doctor. She should have played more chimpanzee parts. Also effectively portraying apes in costumes that allow emoting are Roddy McDowell (Dr. Cornelius) and Maurice Evans (Dr. Zaius). All three ape characters demonstrate more acting ability and subtlety than Heston, but none outshine his charisma and commanding presence.
Keep in mind that this science fiction film is a fantasy and nearly comedy in parts. Don’t expect to make calculated scientific theories to prove or disprove the scenario that you find; just throw away your skepticism and have a good time. Screenwriters Michael Wilson and Rod Serling and Director Franklin Schaffner certainly seemed to have a great time parodying big game hunters and throwing in references to American culture – though the “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” sight gag seems dated now.
The story flows extremely well and creates suspense as we go along. We see the apelike scarecrows and wonder what that’s about, and then run along with Heston and the humans they encounter in the cornfields, wondering how gorillas could have evolved while humans remain primitive on this strange planet. And then there’s the mysterious Forbidden Zone that Dr. Zaius seems so protective of. We know that Heston will have to go there. But what will he find?
Unfortunately, most of you already know this without seeing the movie. That’s why it would be best to wipe out your memory tapes and see Planet of the Apes fresh. That’s the way it was conceived before it became so popular that the studio had to manufacture inferior loose-fitting sequels that primarily served to help the studio recoup money back on their million dollar ape costume investment. They also made the story more familiar to the masses.
Of course, you could look at this film as an icon of Cold War thinking and of 1960’s culture in general. I’d hate to think of Heston being a product of those times though –- you might damn us baby boomers all to Hell. Were we really that arrogant and silly, or was Heston an anachronism to the 1960’s as well?
Forget about anything you ever heard about the ending, and check out the original Planet of the Apes to find out. Just enjoy the ride.
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