Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

The world is shocked by the appearance of two 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

Writers:

Paul Dehn, Pierre Boulle (characters creator)

Stars:

Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roddy McDowall	...	Cornelius
Kim Hunter	...	Zira
Bradford Dillman	...	Dr. Lewis Dixon
Natalie Trundy	...	Dr. Stephanie Branton
Eric Braeden	...	Dr. Otto Hasslein
Ricardo Montalban	...	Armando
William Windom	...	The President
Sal Mineo	...	Milo
Albert Salmi	...	E-1
Jason Evers	...	E-2
John Randolph	...	Commission Chairman
Harry Lauter	...	Gen. Winthrop
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Aide
Roy Glenn	...	Lawyer (as Roy E. Glenn Sr.)
Peter Forster	...	Cardinal

Storyline

Following the events in "Beneath the Planet of the Apes", Cornelius and Zira flee back through time to 20th Century Los Angeles, where they face fear and persecution similar to what Taylor and Brent suffered in the future, and discover the origins of the stream of events that will shape their world.

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Plot Keywords:

ape | fear | future | spaceship | spacecraft | 

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Taglines:

A New Generation Of Incredible Apes In The Most Exciting Suspense Film Of Them All

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Secret of the Planet of the Apes

Filming Locations:

Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, APJAC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ricardo Montalban's character (Armando) gives a Francis of Assisi medal to Zira's newborn baby. Bradford Dillman who played Dr. Lewis Dixon in the movie, played Francis of Assisi in a movie back in 1961.

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Goofs

When Cornelius, Zira and Milo are first taken to the zoo, Roddy McDowall's neck is visible underneath his makeup.

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Quotes

Dr. Otto Hasslein: Zira, wine is an excellent restorative, I assure you, especially in cases of pregnancy.

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Crazy Credits

The 20th Century Fox logo does not appear on this film.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #22.9 (1999)

User Reviews

Three monkeys travel back in time to present day from the ape dominated planet

Nice and entertaining science-fiction movie with a first rate Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter as likable chimpanzees and special intervention of Ricardo Montalban as kindly circus owner who's hidden them from the humans for time . This known story is the third and one of the best of primates sequels ; it starts when through the same time warp , three survivors jumped aside in the last moment by means of a spacial craft from incinerated planet that blew up in the final of ¨Beneath of planet of apes¨ and crash on Earth . There appear three simians Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) , Zira (Kim Hunter ) and Milo (Sal Mineo ). They charm the world and turn mass media celebrities . However , the presidential (William Windom) adviser (Eric Braeden )suspects their dark origin and learn that can be a threat on the downfall of mankind and decides kill them . Later on , at L.A.C. they become the subjects of a relentless pursuit by the CIA and being helped by two doctors (Bradford Dillman and Natalie Trundy who married Arthur P Jacobs and starred various sequels as Zira) .

This is a good sci-fi flick plenty of comedy , suspense, metaphysical significance with thoughtful reflexion about origin of human being and nuclear catastrophe , though also packs action, adventures, intrigue and entertainment. In spite of time and being mostly an amusing follow-up of the former movies , energy remains still and turns out to be an enjoyable sequel full of fantasy and suspense , though with a unsettling and dramatic final . Exciting , clever writing credits by Paul Dehn , though some elements of the screenplay strain credibility to the limit , the imaginative plot is based upon characters created by Pierre Boulle . One of the important attributes of this work are the magnificent acting from the main cast and supporting , Roddy McDowall's distinctive features prove to be recognizable even under marvelous simian make-up . The performers , particularly Kim Hunter who provides the sturdy central pivot the tale surely needs , are pretty good , the superb characters are well drawn and in spite of makeup they are still oddly convincing . Glimmer and luminous cinematography by Joseph Biroc A.S.C who made such a fine job in several films . Phenomenal, creative make-up by John Chambers ,as always , he is a first-rate expert, such as proved in 'Blade runner, Ssss, Island of Dr Moreau' among others . Sensational musical score by top-notch Jerry Goldsmith who composed the classic original score . The picture is well produced by Frank Capra Jr and usual Arthur P. Jacobs , producer of whole saga, and well directed by Don Taylor , using a great visual sense.

It's followed by three inferior sequels that get worse and the impact from original film has perhaps been lessened by these followings as 'Conquest of planet of apes'(72, J. Lee Thompson), in which the Apes turn the tables on the Earth population and Roddy McDowall plays the son of the role he first created ; 'Battle for the planet of apes'(73, J.Lee Thompson) and a TV series , repeating Roddy McDowall again on hand as leader to sustain our anticipation and interest.