Planet of the Apes
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Planet of the Apes

Somewhere in the Universe, there must be something better than man!

1968 • 112 min • Science Fiction · Adventure · Drama · Action

100
Critics
7 reviews
Fans
Not enough reviews

Synopsis

Astronaut Taylor crash lands on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist.

Where to watch

Top billed cast

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner • Crew: Michael Wilson, Rod Serling

Trailers & clips

Planet of the Apes (1968) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

Planet of the Apes (1968) - Trailer HD 1080p

Planet of the Apes (1968) - Teaser Trailer HD 1080p

John Landis on PLANET OF THE APES

Critic reviews

fresh

Dramatic and adventurous The Planet of the Apes (1968) is a fantastic movie that delivers a real experience to the viewer. There is no excuse for anyone not to enjoy this movie. Taylor and his friends land in the spaceship in a land ruled by damn dirty apes. If you haven’t seen this, it’s shameful. 9-10.

fresh

It seems that this film is almost as famous for the folks who didn't take part - Marlon Brando, Edward G. Robinson, Steve McQueen and even Ingrid Bergman, as for it's achievements as a thought provoking piece of cinema. I have always found that Charlton Heston's delivery tended a touch to theatrical monologue; but it really does work in this existential sci-fi story. Returning from a space voyage to Earth several ...

freshTop critics

Having seen all three films from the rebooted series, I came into watching the original series expecting something relatively similar. To my pleasant surprise, it's a very different story. It's a fascinating dynamic that is set up in this version, which I in fact prefer compared to the films from the 2010s - as entertaining as they are in their own right. It's nicely paced and features good cinematography. T...

freshTop critics

The writers turned a not very good novel into an allegory on race and religion. It also takes an nuclear stance which makes an impact in its finale. Charlton Heston is Taylor. An astronaut, part of a crew of four on a long term space mission. They crash landed in what looks like a deserted planet. Soon they encounter some hunter/gatherer human beings who do not speak. Then he finds apes on horseback who s...

freshTop critics

A sci-fi film so groundbreaking (in too many ways to list here) let's suffice it to say that everything that came after it owes the film a debt as large as Kubrick's 2001, also made in '68. Anyone who enjoyed the recent reboot trilogy needs to seek this one out.

freshTop critics

I'm a seeker, too. But my dreams aren't like yours. I can't help thinking that somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man. Has to be. Planet of the Apes is directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and adapted to screenplay by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling from the 1963 Pierre Boulle novel La planete des singes. It stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmor...

fresh

*SPOILERS BELOW* I frst saw this film on its first run on CBS. I was in junior high and a hard core sci-fi fan. I was hooked from the first scene. Written by the late great Rod Serling based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, the story is very engaging. After we are introduced to an ANSA Mission Commander named Colonel Taylor, we are treated to a roller-coaster type sequence as we see the re-entry and crash of Tayl...

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Gallery

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