Anniversary Alert! Simian Celebration: The 50th Anniversary of “Planet of the Apes.”

By Michael Lyons

That scene where we first see the apes.

That scene with the line that begins, “Take your stinkin’ paws off me...”

That ending.  That.  Ending.

So much of the original 1968’s “Planet of the Apes” is iconic, filled with scenes that have now become part of film history.  Almost a decade before “Star Wars” legitimized science fiction and forty years before the word “franchise” was a thing in Hollywood, “Planet of the Apes” was a game changer that revolutionized a genre and movies overall with ripple effects that are still felt today.

It is so hard to believe that a half-century has passed since “Apes” first debuted.  With the film hitting this milestone this month, it’s the perfect time to look back at this most revolutionary film.

Based on a book by author Pierre Boulle (“Bridge on the River Kwai”), “Planet of the Apes,” tells the story of an astronaut named Taylor (Charlton Heston) whose spacecraft crash lands on a planet inhabited by apes who have evolved into beings with human-like speech, abilities and traits, including having their own government, philosophies and caste system.

Taylor then enlists assistance from two Chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira (Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter) to help him escape, from this bizarre planet...or is it ?!?

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (who would go on to win the Best Director Oscar for 1970’s “Patton”), “Planet of the Apes” is crafted with a finesse that alternates between quiet tension and impeccably paced action sequences (the scene in which Taylor first encounters the Ape soldiers as they beat through a corn field is still chilling).

With a screenplay by none other than Rod Serling, who brings his innate ability to comment on society and humanity so prevalent in his classic TV creation “The Twilight Zone,” “Planet of the Apes” works not only as a compelling science fiction adventure, but also as a chilling warning about the missteps that sadly, are still prevalent in the world.

Then, there are the apes themselves, brought to life through groundbreaking latex makeup created by effects artist John Chambers.  Watching the movements of the actors today may seem quaint in our world of motion capture, but the practical effects actually add an element of realism and leaves room for amazing performances (Roddy McDowall’s subtle reactions are still wonderful to watch).

“Planet of the Apes” debuted on February 8, 1968 and went on to be a blockbuster of its time, spawning four sequels, a TV series, a Saturday morning cartoon and a slew of merchandise (oh, to still have the Mego action figures whose price tags now match a 401K contribution).

Over thirty years after its debut, Tim Burton remade “Planet of the Apes” in a unfairly maligned film and over the past eight years, reboots/prequels (ironically using motion capture in every extent) have brought the films back to the forefront.

The impact that the original “Planet of the Apes” has had on film, pop culture and storytelling can, in no way, be underestimated.  Five decades have done nothing to diminish the film’s underlying messages of a world that needs to come closer together if we ever plan on peace in our time.

Traits not just of a great science fiction film, but simply a great film, period.

And, that ending.  That. Ending.

Sources: Wikipedia

IMDb