Behind the Planet of the Apes (1998)

The story behind the making of the 5 "Planet of the Apes" movies.

Directors:

Kevin Burns, David Comtois

Writers:

Brian Anthony, David Comtois

Stars:

Roddy McDowall, Mort Abrahams, Charlton Heston

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roddy McDowall	...	Himself - Host
Mort Abrahams	...	Himself
Charlton Heston	...	Himself
Richard D. Zanuck	...	Himself (as Richard Zanuck)
Edward G. Robinson	...	Dr. Zaius (archive footage)
James Brolin	...	Dr. Cornelius (archive footage)
John Chambers	...	Himself
William J. Creber	...	Himself (as William Creber)
Kim Hunter	...	Herself
Maurice Evans	...	Himself (archive footage)
Eric Greene	...	Himself, film historian
Linda Harrison	...	Herself
Franklin J. Schaffner	...	Himself (archive footage)
Ted Post	...	Himself
Frank Capra Jr.	...	Himself

Storyline

This documentary was shown as part of the American Movie Classics (AMC) cable TV channel's celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of Planet of the Apes (1968). We learn how the original French novel was transformed into the first film; the problems that the producers encountered during production of the entire series (often involving shrinking budgets); how the stories related to current events (e.g., the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement); and how the series became a pervasive part of American popular culture. The film includes interviews with virtually all of the people involved in the production of the film series, including all the main performers. Personal movies taken on the shooting sets and early ape makeup test footage (with Edward G. Robinson and James Brolin!) are also featured.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | ape | interview | planet of the apes | six word title | 

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Taglines:

Journey Back To The Planet Of The Apes!

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Detrás del Planeta de los Simios

Filming Locations:

Malibu Creek State Park - 1925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Van Ness Films, Foxstar Productions, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby Surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Host Roddy McDowall died on October 3, 1998, less than a month after the broadcast of this special.

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Alternate Versions

Both DVD versions (a single disc accompanies 'The Evolution' Box Set; and a double disc that sells seperately containing many extras) clocks in at 2 hours 6 minutes. The VHS and AMC broadcast are 2 hrs 3 mins. The DVD contains more info about the making of 'Beneath...', 'Battle For...' and more final summations from cast and crew at the conclusion.

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Connections

References The Omega Man (1971)

User Reviews

Nicely Done Documentary.

Interesting and informative documentary recounts the story of how Pierre Boulle's novel was adapted to the big screen, with the determined support of star Charlton Heston, and the growing cast of actors chosen like Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, and writer Rod Serling, with director Franklin J. Schaffner, and how its surprise box-office success led to a most unexpected franchise...

Covers all five Apes films(at that time!) in an informative and entertaining way, with behind the scenes footage and trivia that fans often crave. The late Roddy McDowall hosted, and did a fine job, being so closely involved with them of course! Was first shown on AMC, then released as an extra disc on the DVD set, it is well worth watching.