Rating: 
Summary: Science fiction with meaning
Review: It had been a long time since I had seen this movie, and if you are thinking about doing so also, then don't read the box. It doesn't give away the ending; the box is merely wrong. Zira is the one who takes in Taylor and not Cornelius.This version of "Planet of the Apes" had a lot of things to say, unlike the more recent version. Here, the humans are incapable of speech and intelligent thought. This movie does not say that apes evolved from man, but that man's violent nature and penchant for war and destruction took him down a few rungs. The apes merely kept evolving. Given that this was from the late 60s, this is probably an anti-war message. This movie also talks about science and religion. The argument between the older generation-religion, represented by orangutans, and the younger generation-science, represented by the chimpanzees. I don't think that looking at the inner message will ruin this film. Rather, it brings a more enhanced appreciation of the film. I would highly recommend watching this film.
Rating:
Summary: PLANET OF THE APES
Review: The classic Sci Fi original PLANET OF THE APES, driected by Franklin J. Schaffner is as exciting, terrifying and amazing as it was when it was originally released in 1968. Everything about the film is fantastic, from Charlton Heston's Oscar-worthy performance, to the fantastic ape costumes, to Jerry Goldsmith's hauntingly beautiful score. And of course the shock ending which surprised audiences worldwide. The supporting cast of Roddy McDowall (Cornelius) and Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius are excellent, and the fascinating ideas brought forward by the characters provides for a strong adventure that stands up well today.
The story, written by Pierre Boulle, is one of the best premises for a film ever, with the upside down world where humans are treated like vermin. And the reversal of the species heiracy ("You know the saying, Human see, human do"). The numerous indelible images still hold the same potency today (scarecrows, lobotomised people, museums with humans and the amazing finale). Regardless of the film's notorious cult following and cherished film-making, the first time I watched it, I was unaware of the ending, which was genuinly shocking.
The film spawned several lesser sequels, a TV series, a Simpsons episode and an inferior Apes remake. Tim Burton's 2001 "re-imagening" has great SFX, impressive battle scenes and an equally impressive score, but the weak interpretation of the source material and the questionable casting of Mark Whalberg lets the film down, and of course, the infamous ending ... In comparison, the original has no peer. The first POTA is regarded by many as one of the greatest Sci Fi films ever made. And I have to agree.
Rating:
Summary: THEY BEST SCIENCE FICTION STORY OF ALL TIME
Review: If it is good classic science fiction story telling you want this is the movie for you. The packaging is good and this dvd is included in a box set if you want all films of the original planet of the apes series. This movie has the best suprise ending in all of science fiction and proves that movie makers of the pre - computer graphics era could tell an actually good story instead of todays film makers using special effects to cover up for their lack of a good story. If you love science fiction and don't own this dvd then...
Rating: 
Summary: Who design that ... DVDs' cover?!
Review: ...I strongly believe that all the things surrounding the movie have their impact. (And the HUGE spoiler in the DVDs' cover is the only reason I haven't buy this movie yet) Don't get me wrong. I think the movie is fantastic. Charlton Heston did a terrific job portraying the abandon astronaut in an unknown territory. The make up is also one of the greatest assets in the movie, as is the ape city and the landscapes which framed the movie. But in my opinion, the strenght of the movie relies on its plot: three astronauts, 1 woman and 2 men, are send to another planet in order to settle down a human colony. Things go wrong and suddenly they crashed in an apparent desert spot. Only the two men survived the crash and in no time they find themselves facing a panicked group of humans fleeing from their hunters: Human-sized Apes, riding horses and using rifles and nets. Great scene. Frigthening. Then, Heston Character finds himself alone, trying to survive an alien Ape society, and running away from the evil ruler of the apes who happens to hide a secret which can change the face of that world for ever, and the perspective of Heston as well. I know perhaps everybody knows how the movie ends, but I find beauty in that surprise and that's why I get so angry when I came across the DVD and saw the image. ... Anyway, it's a movie you should see, whether you liked Sci-Fi thrillers or not. But if you like them, then you should own it... (As I would, when my angers disappears...)
Rating:
Summary: It's a madhouse. A maaaadhooouuuuse!
Review:
Unbelievable breakthrough sci-fi movie from 1968. Flawless conception from Twilight Zone writer and guide Rod Sirling. I remember watching this for the first time when I was about 11 and I was just floored. Still a great ride 17 years later and an essential item for any sci-fi movie fan. Great use of sci-fi in exploring cultural and philisophical issues of great proportions and magnitude. Good effects for 1968, no CGI or advanced makeup and the makeup and sets don't look dated. Great story, characters, action, and a mind-shattering ending, though the stupid DVD cover gives it away! I know any adult probably knows the ending, but why blow it for younger viewers? Charleton Heston in his prime with Linda Harrison as a devoted, mute supermodel love slave. No time for love scenes with this tight, well-constructed sci-fi action drama.
-- JJ Timmins
Rating:
Summary: You can't beat the original. RIP Roddy McDowell (Cornelius)
Review: I used to love watching this as a kid! So when the complete series came out on DVD I bought it in a heartbeat. If chimpanzes could talk they would sound like Roddy McDowell.
This movie is intelligent, funny, sad, shocking all in one. If Roddy was still alive he should have been offered a lead role in the Planet Of the Apes remake (which I distest!). I'm sure true Planet of The Apes fans mourn the loss of Roddy McDowell.
Rating:
Summary: better than the newer one
Review: i have to say this is much better than new Planet of the Apes, though i am a huge fan of tim burton's.
Rating:
Summary: "Planet of the Apes"
Review: Planet of the Apes (G) *****/5
Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, Linda Harrison.
Directed by: Franklin J. Schaffner.
Synopsis: A space shuttle crash lands on a Planet where apes rule, and man is hunted.
Special Features: Photo Gallery, Trailers.
Review: Absolute classic about a ship which travels through space and crashes on a backwards world where apes rule mute humans. Charlton Heston wanders through this world trying to find answers to how this world came to be, and falls in love with Nova (Harrison) a beautiful native. Most of this film is Taylor (Heston) on trial and arguments of evolution. Although I don't believe in evolution I can see the art in this original scripted film. The ending is one of the most vivid ever filmed. Heston and the monkeys all are fantastic. Schaffner's directing is dead on, and the ape costumes are excellent. As for the DVD? It contains embarrassingly little for such a classic.
Rating:
Summary: A Madhouse Where Apes Rule
Review: The original PLANET OF THE APES film frrom 1968, is a classic, for several reasons. From its ground breaking make-up effects, designed by the late John Chambers, to its memorable script from Michael Wilson and Rod Serling, and to its unique score from Jerry Goldsmith, the original has lots to like... Astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) and his crew crash land on a planet where apes rule over the humaniod second class. Desparate to escape from captivity, Taylor befriends 2 ape scientists, Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) and Zira (Kim Hunter), who are sympathetic and think that humans aren't monsters as Zaius (Maurice Evens) contends. As one might expect, since the film was made in the middle of the civil rights movement, it is a cautionary tale, filled with social commentary to mirror the times. But disguised as a sci-fi film, it worked wonders, and is just great. Unlike Tim Burton's remake, this film relies more on simplicity and imagination, and comes out a better movie The DVD has a photo gallery and theartrical trailers as its extras. There is also access to a Web Link to the official site This DVD is recommended. If you want to learn more about the film and its sequels, I also recommend the 2 disc DVD set "Behind The Planet Of The Apes". It makes a fine companion to the original film.
Rating:
Summary: One of the all-time sci-fi champs
Review: "Planet of the Apes" was a watershed film in the sci-fi genre; before this movie, sci-fi was all about Martians, two-headed space invaders, and monsters caused by nuclear fallout. Charlton Heston is not one of my favorite actors; he's too heavy-handed as a rule, but he was never better than in the role of Taylor, the astronaut who is returning home from space with two crew members (a third dies en route) and finds that they have landed on what looks like a totally alien planet. The few humans they run into look as though they have reverted back to a stone-age existence, but what really blows him away is when he finds that the apes have taken over the planet and have placed the humans in servitude. How does it feel to be treated like an animal for a change? The ape society is riven with dissensions as the more liberal-minded simians and the soldier apes clash over how their captives are to be treated; and Taylor eventually escapes... but to what? The mind-blowing scene where Taylor discovers the rust-eaten remains of the Statue of Liberty and realizes he's been home all along is one of the classics in film-making; it's pure Rod Serling, right out of the twilight zone, and it still wows us after all these decades. The POTA spinoffs went downhill from the first film; the sequels were uniformly awful, but the original is still the champ.
| 
