When they are buried alive, underground, in an ancient San Francisco subway station during an earthquake, Burke and General Urko are forced to work together. Above ground, Galen and Virdon try to ...
When Galen hurts his leg and can't travel, Virdon and Burke seek refuge in a farm till their friend recovers. The farm is operated by a gruff but decent ape named Polar, his wife Zantes, and their ...
Two astronauts survive a crash-landing on a planet where intelligent apes rule over humans. The men find that their own intelligence challenges the apes' superiority and puts their lives in danger.
Check out our gallery of the 2021 Golden Globe nominees in the leading and supporting acting categories, as the characters they so brilliantly played and in real life
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.Written by
Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>
Virdon and Burke's Air Force rankings were colonel and major respectively. See more »
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. See more »
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.
See more »
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. See more »
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.
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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.