Planet of the Apes 

Two astronauts and a sympathetic chimp friend are fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes.

Creator:

Anthony Wilson

Stars:

Roddy McDowall, Ron Harper, James Naughton

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Roddy McDowall	...	Galen 14 episodes, 1974
Ron Harper	...	Alan Virdon 14 episodes, 1974
James Naughton	...	Pete Burke 14 episodes, 1974
Mark Lenard	...	Urko 11 episodes, 1974
Ron Stein	...	Gorilla Guard / ... 4 episodes, 1974
Booth Colman	...	Zaius 6 episodes, 1974

Storyline

Television series about a group of astronauts who travel in time and become marooned on a planet. Unbeknownst to them, they are actually on future Earth. The astronauts encounter an advanced civilization run by apes, but supported by enslaved human workers.

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Plot Keywords:

ape | planet of the apes | psychotronic series | astronomical object in title | astronaut | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Virdon and Burke's Air Force rankings were colonel and major respectively.

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Goofs

It is clear from the numerous shots of the palms of Galen's hands that they are gloves, though the character doesn't wear gloves.

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Quotes

Man: [Galen is threatening a human the trio's trying to help] It is the will of the gods.
Galen: It is the will of Galen.

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Alternate Versions

In 1981, selected episodes were re-edited into five made for TV movies: Back to the Planet of the Apes (1981) Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes (1981) Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes (1981) Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of the Planet of the Apes (1981) Farewell to the Planet of the Apes (1981). One episode, "The Liberator," was not aired during the original network run, but was aired in the UK and made its US debut in the 1990s.

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Connections

Featured in Planet of the Apes: Rule the Planet (2001)

User Reviews

Enjoyable stuff!

The Planet of the Apes TV series is often unfairly criticised (as are the four film sequels) for falling far short of the epoch-making original movie.

However, there is much to be enjoyed for PotA devotees and the less committed alike. The three leading characters of Galen, Virdon and Burke are all instantly likeable and well acted, Mark Lenard is superb as their pursuer Urko, who is second as a Gorilla commander only to James Gregory's peerless performance as Ursus in "Beneath") and Booth Colman evokes Maurice Evans as Zauis (although this Zauis cannot be the same ape as played by Evans in the first two films). Many fine and memorable guest roles throughout and interesting - if slightly repetitive - storylines add up to a satisfying series.

The only downside is the somewhat corny dialogue - especially certain lines spoken by Burke - which rob a number of scenes of their effectiveness.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Planet of the Apes

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min (14 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3