Planet of the Apes

By VARIETY STAFF

Apjac/20th Century-Fox. Director Franklin J. Schaffner; Producer Arthur P. Jacobs; Screenplay Michael Wilson, Rod Serling; Camera Leon Shamroy; Editor Hugh S. Fowler; Music Jerry Goldsmith; Art Director Jack Martin Smith, William Creber
 
Charlton Heston
Roddy McDowall
Kim Hunter
Maurice Evans
James Whitmore
Linda Harrison
 

Planet of the Apes is an amazing film. A political-sociological allegory, cast in the mold of futuristic science-fiction, it is an intriguing blend of chilling satire, a sometimes ludicrous juxtaposition of human and ape mores, optimism and pessimism.

Pierre Boulle's novel, in which US space explorers find themselves in a world dominated by apes, has been adapted by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling.

The totality of the film works very well, leading to a surprise ending. The suspense, and suspension of belief, engendered is one of the film's biggest assets.

Charlton Heston, leader of an aborted space shot which propels his crew 20 centuries ahead of earth, is a cynical man who eventually has thrust upon him the burden of reasserting man's superiority over all other animals. At fadeout, he is the new Adam.

Key featured players - all in ape makeup - include Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore and James Daly.

1968: Honorary Award (John Chambers, for makeup design).

Nominations: Best Costume Design, Original Music Score

(Color) Widescreen. Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1968. Running time: 112 MIN.