Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)

Ten years after a worldwide series of ape revolutions and a brutal nuclear war among humans, Caesar must protect survivors of both species from an insidious human cult and a militant ape faction alike.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Pierre Boulle (characters), Paul Dehn (story)

Stars:

Roddy McDowall, Claude Akins, Natalie Trundy

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roddy McDowall	...	Caesar / Cornelius
Claude Akins	...	General Aldo
Natalie Trundy	...	Lisa
Severn Darden	...	Governor Kolp
Lew Ayres	...	Mandemus
John Huston	...	The Lawgiver
Paul Williams	...	Virgil
Austin Stoker	...	Bruce MacDonald
Noah Keen	...	Abe the teacher
Richard Eastham	...	Mutant Captain
France Nuyen	...	Alma
Paul Stevens	...	Mendez
Heather Lowe	...	Doctor
Bobby Porter	...	Cornelius
Michael Stearns	...	Jake

Storyline

After conquering the oppressive humans in "Conquest for the Planet of the Apes", Caesar must now keep the peace among the humans and apes. Gorilla General Aldo views things differently, and tries to cause an ape civil war. In the meantime, other human survivors learn of the ape city, and decide they want to take back civilization for themselves, thus setting the stage of warring ape factions and humans.

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Plot Keywords:

caesar character | cornelius character | ape | gorilla | general | 

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Taglines:

The final chapter in the incredible Apes saga. The most suspenseful showdown ever filmed as two civilizations battle for the right to inherit what's left of the earth!

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Colonization of the Planet of the Apes

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles County Hyperion sewage plant., California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$8,800,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apjac International,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 96 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roddy McDowall and Natalie Trundy are the only cast members to appear in four of the five original "Planet of the Apes" movies. McDowall appeared in all except the first sequel, unless you include the flashback at the beginning for which he received an uncredited appearance. Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). Natalie Trundy did not appear in the Planet of the Apes (1968), but appeared in all four sequels. 'McDowall also starred in the television series Planet of the Apes (1974).

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Goofs

While in the destroyed city, Virgil states that the radiation level is 300 roentgens. At that intensity, it would have killed Kolp and his people long before the events of this film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: North America, 2670 A.D.
The Lawgiver: In the beginning God created beast and man so that both might live in friendship and share dominion over a world of peace. But in the fullness of time evil men betrayed God's trust and in disobedience to His holy word waged bloody wars, not only against their own kind, but against the apes, whom they reduced to slavery. Then God in his wrath sent the world a saviour, miraculously born of two apes who descended on Earth from Earth's own future and man was ...

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Follows Planet of the Apes (1968)

User Reviews

Exciting : A blueprint for the television series

Battle for the Planet of the Apes makes for a fantastic conclusion to the Apes saga. The plot involves morality, revenge and evil, and all this is handled pretty well by director J Lee Thompson. Roddy McDowell establishes himself as the ultimate Ape actor with this movie. His performance as Ceaser this time around is more mellow, but all the more enjoyable. The central plot revolves around the ancient Ape theory that Ape should not kill Ape, just as in real life worlds Humans should not kill Human. McDowell handles the scenes withn the death of his son at the hands of an evil Ape, who goes against the theory, excellently. His portrayal of an anguished Ceasar is a memorable and haunting one. Singer Paul Williams turns up as a friend to Ceasar and the movie contains excellent make-up, matte work and Battle scenes. Battle for the Planet of the Apes would in turn inspire the future Ape adventures in the medium of television. The final shot of the statue of Ceasar crying is well handled, memorable and hopefull.