Behind the Planet of the Apes

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Summary: So much better the second time around!
Review: I was pretty happy with the previous documentary only version of "Behind the Planet of the Apes" which came with the DVD Box set released a couple of years ago. This updated version just blows if off the map! So many great added features and footage, as others have said a treasure trove of behind the scenes information. The interview with Roddy McDowall on disk 2 is fantastic. his insight into the film and television series are riveting. He does tend to ramble off topic from time to time but the places he wanders into are even more fascinating than where the interviewers intended! Great stuff. He is such a gentleman throughout it makes the loss of him even more keenly felt. When the topic gets to the possibility of his appearing in a sequel it really makes one wonder what he would have thought of Tim Burton's incarnation, I kind of think he would have liked it from his comments. If you think you have this disc because you have the DVD box set, you are wrong.Stand up and BUY THIS DISK LIKE APES!

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Summary: The Ultimate Ape Documentary
Review: This film was the documentary that revealed it all, even the make-up test with Hollywood legend Edward G. Robinson. Hosted by Roddy McDowall, this film goes behind the scenes at all five apes films, the two television series, the mass merchandising campaign, and beyond. Learn that this whole thing started with a novel that was rejected by its own author, and that Arthur Jacobs, the producer, had his wife in all but one Apes film.
Interveiws with Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter, John Chambers, Natalie Trundy, and Ricardo Montalbahn are also included. The Ultimate Ape Event!

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Summary: Look into the making of the apes saga!!!(...)
Review: This is a great documentary on how the apes saga was made.This 2 disk DVD set takes you behind the scenes of Planet of the Apes.It is an great experience for apes fans.Hosted by Roddy McDowall(actor who played Cornelius,Caesar,and Galen)it is alsome!There is some things I do not like about it though.One thing is on the interview with Roddy McDowall.I just think that its to long and I don't think anywone would want to watch 1 hour and more of Roddy McDowall talking.Also I hate how the dailies and outtakes don't have any sound.You don't even now whats going on half the time.This is still a good experience and I think you should get it!!(...)

Rating:
Summary: If you already have the box set version, skip it....
Review: This was a great disc but I dont feel that the extras included here warrant a repurchase. I was glad to have seen it but watched it once and resold. The menus are different. All you're really missing is an LONG interview with Mcdowell, alot of 'trailer variations' and a pretty lengthy section set to the theme music that shows all the outtakes and unused footage run together. I'm not sure it's worth 21.00 considering the repeated viewing value....For die-hards only if you already have the box set version.

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Summary: NOW! FIGHT LIKE APES! BUY THIS DVD!
Review: When the APES flicks were first released on DVD the documentary contained on this DVD was the extra disk in the boxed set. I have it from a mail-in promotion from the VHS set and it ROCKS! I am a huge fan of this series (one of the few movie series that have had consistantly nihilistic and downbeat endings) and this documentary is one great piece of work. It was ALMOST the main reason I bought the DVD boxed set (then I found out that the transfers weren't great and there were very little extras for the $$ - I got the VHS tapes instead). Now I have the documentary AND a boatload of extras! My wife doesn't understand my fascination with these films, but they are just solid pieces of storytelling (as opposed to a certain "reimagining" that hit theatres today...)Do Yurself a favor: BUY the boxed original films on VHS or DVD AND get this documentary, a fine tribute to the supercool APES films!

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes waiting is best
Review: When the Planet of the Apes dvd box set came out I was going to buy it for A. the first film and B. the bonus disc, knowing full well the rest of the Ape movies were "uneven" (a nice way to say "unbearable"). But I didn't. I instead bought the first disc and passed on my desire to get the bonus disc, and after seeing the "trailers" for the other movies on the first disc I realized I made the right decision; Beneath through Battle were "subpar" (again, I'm being NICE!). Now I can rejoice, for I have the BONUS disc that was in the boxset PLUS an added disc full of passion. Make no mistake, the one and a half hour interview with Roddy Mcdowell ALONE is worth the price of admission... you will LEARN things. Though I don't agree with his opinion that ALL the films were good, I do agree, they made a valid statement. After seeing this you will gain a new appreciation for the ALL the films, regardless of budget, it is a shame that the same finesse used in the first film wasn't applied evenly to all of them...