Today Matt & Todd discuss the 1968 Sci-Fi Classic: Planet of the Apes, directed by Franklin J Schaffner, based on a novel by Pierre Boulle.

Starring: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Maurice Evans and Kim Hunter.

Screenplay co-credited to Michael Wilson and Rod Serling.

A groundbreaking success when it first appeared in 1968; Planet of the Apes is a rapid-paced fish-out-of-water tale of a group of astronauts who crash-land on a mysterious planet inhabited by a civilization of advanced apes determined to destroy humanity.

The original Planet of the Apes feels more at home in the realm of Star Trek and Twilight Zone (also created by original Planet of the Apes screenwriter: Rod Serling.)

Even if you have not seen the film you’re likely aware of the ending, and some of the more memorable lines. This is a film that still holds up as pure entertainment, award-wining makeup effects that still look remarkable, and an engaging plot that offers something enduring to consider about human nature.

If this is your first time watching, we’d love to hear what you think.

If you like this film we can recommend:

The Omega Man, Last Man on Earth, World Without End, The Terminator, The Time Travelers*, Star Trek (in particular the classic series) and The Twilight Zone.

----------

Follow Matt on Letterboxd, Bluesky: @MovieMattSirois, as Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful and follow what we follow at ⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠