1968 USA 112 minutes Color

All men look alike to most apes

Col. George Taylor (Charlton Heston), one of four astronauts on board of a spaceship, joins his fellows in deep sleep. Approximately six months later, their ship crash-lands on an unknown planet. Taylor, Landon (Robert Gunner), and Dodge (Jeff Burton) emerge from the vessel to explore their new world.

Soon, they discover that their new home is inhabited by other humans, but they are mute, and they are treated like cattle by the dominant species, the apes. The differentiation among the primate species mirrors their social classes: orangutans are aristocrats and administrators, gorillas are brutish soldiers, and chimpanzees are scientists, thinkers, and civilians. Humans, of course, are slaves.

Dr. Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter), two chimpanzee scientists who take an interest in Taylor give him a woman, Nova (Linda Harrison), hoping he will mate. While Cornelius and Zira argue on the unique man's behalf, the lead scientist, Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans), believes he should be executed. But, before he can be killed, his protectors orchestrate an escape and accompany Taylor and Nova into the "Forbidden Zone", where evidence about the true origin of the planet of the apes lies.

Facts

Cast

Franklin J. Schaffner

Multi Media

Trailer (Mediaplayer 28k)