Roddy McDowall takes you, film by film, from production meetings to make-up sessions, then right onto the movie set to see the actual filming of the science fiction masterpiece. The most comprehensive history of Planet of the Apes ever created, this fascinating 127-minute documentary explores one of the most imaginative and influential series in movie history.
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This has to be the best movie franchise documentary I've seen in many years.When I rented this DVD from the library yesterday, I thought it was only about the making of 'THE ORIGINAL' 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie...but, it's much, much more than that.This brings you through the ORIGINAL 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie, but, also through the entire "Planet of the Apes" movie trilogy -1. "Planet of the Apes" (1968);2. "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970);3. "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971);4. "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes: (1972);and,5. "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (1973);The documentary also focuses on the live-action television series -"Planet of the Apes" (1974);and, the animated television series -"Return to the Planet of the Apes" (1975)...as well as the merchandising of the toys and accessories children my age once had but later sold for pennies in a 1980-1990 tag sale and is now worth a small fortune on eBay!?!?If "Star Trek" fans are called 'Trekkies,' it's only fair that "Planet of the Apes" fans are called 'Apeies!?!?' I suppose I'm both! :)This is a MONUMENTAL DOCUMENTARY that highlights one of the greatest movie franchises of all time! Whether you're familiar with and like "The Planet of the Apes" in any way, shape, or, form; or, you're a newcomer who's interested in seeing what it's all about...this documentary is exactly for you! :)
On behalf of this documentary I want to express myself thus. The piece of recollection narrated by Roddy Mcdowall was his last film before he died. By the way, this actor has nothing to do with actor Malcolm Mcdowell although both are almost at the same age and have physical resemblance.This is one thing that POTA fans should have in mind, and second I want to file a request that except for the first "Planet of the Apes" (1968) most of the dialogue boxes say nothing about the four sequels it re-produced (not connected with the french sci-fi novel). Those sequels I watched recently again and this provoked a commentary, because I firstly watched the documentary from 1998 which was in itself a very accomplished work and could register as sixth in a row for the mainstream POTA. I am not speaking about the remake movie from 2001 with Mark Wahlberg and the upcoming sequels but obviously a lot of explanatory work is expected to be done. Especially, because POTA franchise has become preparatory school topic and included in the study panels.Secondly, I am obliged here to reveal the timeline subject of the whole movie set the way I understand it (if the reader is sure that he knows about it he can discard it easily at free will):1. Now firstly come "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (3rd sequel, 1971) which takes place in 2600 A.D. and is the time when apes astronaunts arrive on Earth in space capsule;2. Next come "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" (4th sequel, 1972) when the rebellious apes overtake the Earth which is devastated by virus brought with the space-craft from the above;3. Third come "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (5th sequel, 1973) when humans are divided in twos - i) enslaved by apes and ii) mutant humans that are rebellious. Timeline is 3200 A.D.;4. Here is the catch now, original "Planet of the Apes" (1968) is fourth in story plot and first in make-up. Timeline is 3900 A.D. and another space capsule arrive on Earth with principle astronaut (Charlton Heston) and some other people. The enslaved humans are already mute because they are lobotomized and apes are warring between themselves, while the astronaut who can speak himself escapes and heads for the Forbidden city (a destructed New York marked by a fallen Statue of Liberty);5. Lastly comes "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (2nd sequel, 1970) when the astronaut from above divulge the secret of the Forbidden city (an A-bomb) and together with his survived buddy and parallel with some extant mutants oppose the apes to his final death and launch of the A-bomb. The saga ends with green Earth, no living creatures on it. Thank you!
I am no fan of "The making of....whatever" as it invariably tells you nothing and more likely than not, totally wrecks the film itself once you have seen the out-takes or "How they did...."This is an extremely well put together and interesting look at the original "Apes" series, more so now, having the late Roddy McDowall as narrator. (Roddy you may remember played Caesar!)Might have been an idea if Tim Burton had watched this before embarking on his pointless re-hash with Mark Wahlberg!
This is a pretty good making-of documentary, insofar as it includes a lot of clips and a pretty good feeling for how and why everything was done. The thing about it that made me laugh, however, was how much they overstated the value of the series. While I will admit that the many sequels may have set an unfortunate precedent, I feel the films themselves weren't quite as important as the writers of this documentary would have us believe.
