An update a couple days in the making. This retcons what was written about this earlier. I felt I didn't use this franchise to its fullest potential there, so here is what I came up with:
Planet of the Apes(1967)
Pierre Boulle’s originally wrote Le Planete des Singes (roughly translated as “Planet of the Apes” or “Monkey Planet” in English) after a brief interaction with a zoo gorilla got him thinking about the interactions between man and apes. Fresh off the success of his memoir Mekong about his time as a Loyalist [1] prisoner of war in Japanese held Indochina, Boulle wrote the story of a space mission marooned on a planet dominated by apes, fitting in commentary through the very regimented ape society.
The book was a moderate success in the FBU. However, interest in a film adaptation soon came when the film adaptation of The Chrysalids was a major success.
The adaptation rights for the book were pursued by a number of interested parties, including Ealing Studios and producer Harry Saltzman, before it was given to the partnership of MGM-UK and Pathe.
Hired at first to write the script was popular TV writer Nigel Kneale, who largely condensed the novel, and combined the two planets of the book (one the literal planet of the apes, the other the future Earth dominated by Apes), as a final twist. Kneale’s script was considered too “unappealing” (given it largely transplanted 20th century culture and tech on the apes, much like the original novel), and the script was rewritten by several writers (including noted playwrights Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard,French writer Jacque Sternberg) to give a more apocalyptic, dystopian tone to it (much like Chrysalids), though the final version was credited to Kneale, Sternberg, and Brian Clemens
Several French and British directors were approached for the film, including Val Guest, Robert Parrish, and even Francois Truffaut at one point, before eventually acclaimed director Louis Malle was signed on. The film would film partly at the famed Shepperton Studios and partly on the Canary Islands. Comic artist Jean Giraud (known by the mononym Moebius) helped with the production design, both for the surreal wastelands and for the futuristic ape society.
The film opens with the spaceship Icarus (while not stated, the design of the rocket and spacesuits indicates that it was a European Space Agency ship), which has reached its destination of the planet of Soror. Due to time dilation, while two years has passed for the crew, several centuries have passed. After waking from hibernation, Ulysse Merou (Alain Delon), the captain of the spaceship, and crew Antele (Abraham Favre*) and Levain (Zacharie Cormier*) , along with their experiment chimp Hector, explore what seems to be a desolate wasteland. They eventually come across a tribe of primitive humans, and Merou has a sudden attraction to Nova (Brigitte Bardot), who returns this attraction. However, the primitive human have a specific fear of Hector. One day, the tribe is sudden seized upon by a group of strange gorillas riding horses, wearing militia style unifroms, and carrying around large stick-like weapons. Merou is knocked out from the blast from one of these sticks. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a strange facility. He sees a group of chimps observing him, and realizes that he is in some sort of research facility. He sees most of the tribe, including Nova, but can’t find his crewmates. Researcher chim Zira ( Jeanne Moreau) takes a special interest in Merou after observing him as more intelligent than his peers. She convinces the so-called “Science Council” which runs the research to allow special research into him specifically. Orangutan bureaucrat Mi Zaius (Maurice Evans) opposes the move, but Zira’s request is ultimately granted. Zira and her archeologist fiancee Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) teach Merou the Ape language, and soon, learns about Ape society. They had taken over after human society had collapsed from nuclear warfare, effectively replacing humans and consigning them to the wilderness, where they grew primitive from their complacency. Ape society is now strictly regimented, with roles for each ape. The Orangutans are the officials and bureaucrats who control society. Chimps are the intellectuals and scientists, and gorillas make up the military. Every person has their role and a job provided for them, but they are also strictly controlled and monitored. The orangutans also rule as a tight-knit oligarchy, and keep power at all costs. Cornelius, on one of his digs, uncovers the remnants of a human civilization. In the meantime, Merou and Nova have a child, Sirius, who shows signs of intelligence. Fearing the potential upheaval, Zauis convinces the Council, over Zira’s objections, to kill Merou as a measure against “subversion”. We also learn that Merou’s crew mates were killed on orders of Zauis to prevent them. Zira secretly frees them, and Cornielius attempts to guide them towards the ruins (which will lead Merou back to his ship.)However, Zaius orders the gorilla secret police to pursue them. While Merou and Nova fight them off, it seems hopeless, until Hector (kept in a cage) appears, confusing the Gorillas, and allowing their escape into the ruins. As Merou, Nova, Sirius, Zira, and Cornelius move through the runs, Merou muses that they seem very familiar to him. He has a very sudden realization and meltdown upon seeing a major landmark- The Eiffel Tower paritally destroyed. (Kneale’s original script had Merou encounter Big Ben submerged in sand, but was changed due to Pathe and Malle’s influence)
The film was a massive box office and critical success, with many praising its interesting production design, interesting society, and especially the make-up work for the apes. It would become one of the highest grossing Entente films in 1967. It would be nominated for Best Direction and Best Screenplay at the BAFTAs.
Battle of the Planet of the Apes(1970)
Obviously, given this high level of success, a sequel was commissioned. However, most of the main cast and crew choose not to return, with the exception of Roddy McDowell and Maurice Evans. Chosen to direct instead was British director Don Chaffey (who was considered to direct the first film), with the script by Val Guest (another director considered for the original) based on a treatment by Pierre Boulle.
Sirius (Xavier Hector*), the son of Ulysse Merou and Nova, has grown into a young adult. Zira (now played by then-unknown Judi Dench) and Cornelius act as his tutors, and educate him in the ways of civilization. They are constantly forced to flee due to gorilla raids. Eventually, they make contact with another tribe, and after Sirius negotiates, the tribes decide to coexist. Sirius pursues a relationship with a girl from the other tribe, whom he names Blue (Jeanne Roach*). However, the gorillas strike again, and he sacrifices to the gorillas to save Blue, Zira, and Cornelius, who flee. He is taken to a research facility, where we learn that Mi Zaius has now effectively taken over Ape society by moving up the ranks. However, his hold on power is tenuous, as he and the other orangutans are being attacked by the gorillas and chimps for intrusions into their spheres, as well as the set-up of “special camps” for dissidents. Sirius manages to disguise his intellect, and manages to stay below level, whilst he listens in on conversations between the chimp scientists. All the while, he secretly teaches his fellow captives, who become more aware of their surroundings, and follow Sirius’ orders. Eventually, Zaius decides, in order to stave off the growing divide in his society, to declare a war on humans, figuring they will be powerless to resist. Sirius overhears a scientist protesting about a new direction in research, where humans will be “examined in great detail” (i.e. vivesections) in order to prepare for the coming war. Sirius manages to rally his fellow humans, and when the crew arrive, they enact a jailbreak, resisting the guards and fleeing them. They manage to find Sirius’ old friends far from Ape Society. After considering the implications of Sirius’ findings, Sirius decides to unite the human tribes, teaching them, and ultimately protect themselves from the Apes. This strategy comes to fruition in the first attempted battle, as the Gorilla forces are surpised when the humans are able to force them into retreat. They later use captured Ape weapons during each subsequent battle. With the war suddenly out of the Ape’s control, the Gorillas express frustration with Zaius’ conduct. Zaius himself finds the invasion has not had its intended effect, as the citizens begin to rebel against the war. Even some of Zaius’ fellow Orangutans split with Zaius over the issue. Zaius feels that one big battle is necessary in order to prevent a human takeover. He decides to personally run this battle. The climax has a large scale battle, with the gorillas and humans (with various ape allies who have joined their cause) fighting, before Sirius manages to turn the tide. When Zaius refuses to retreat, gorilla leader Aldo [2] has had enough, and seizes power from Zaius, having him arrested for “sedition and treason”. Aldo then formally surrenders. The Apes and humans negotiate a peace, whereupon the raids end, and any humans still in captivity are released. However, it also opens the possibility that perhaps humans and apes could potentially live together in a peaceful society.
While another box office and critical hit, it was nowhere near as acclaimed, with many criticizing the rushed plot, and somewhat bizarre tone, as compared to the original. Still, it made enough to warrant another sequel.
American Planet of the Ape (1969)
During the production of Battle, the original was sent to the UASR, in preparation for a wider Comintern release. The original had been playing at certain specialty theaters since shortly after its release, but an official version had not been commissioned. MGM, the distributor in English-speaking locales, took measures to ensure wide release in the UASR. Thus, much of the film was cut down. The explanation for Ape Society was truncated and removed the “specialized roles” aspect (though, oddly, the “everyone has a role” aspect remained in this version.) When this version was shown to American distributors, they had more cuts requested. The scene where human “complacency” was blamed for their eventual fall was removed, and the climax was shortened.
When released in 1969, the film was moderately successful, (ensuring a wider Comintern release), but was criticized for its inconsistencies and plots holes (most of which were caused by the edits to the film, most of which were noted by those who had seen the original in its entirety.)
The film had a slightly wider following in the Soviet Union, China, and Japan, where the full version of the film was released. China and Japan would later produce many imitations, albeit with themes more in tune with socialist ideals. The UASR, however, would not see the full, original version of Planet of the Apes, until 1977, where it was released in a triple feature with Battle and Rise .
Beyond the Planet of the Apes(1972)
Val Guest finally directs, after only writing the last film, and also writes the film.
Set several hundred years after the last one, Apes and human finally co-exist, though tensions still exist within their society, with Humans as a distinct lower class discriminated against by the higher Ape society. However, humans are gradually integrating themselves into ape society, and one major achievement is the addition of a human member, Darel (Albert Griogal*) to a circumlunar mission,the Caesar, meant to see the far side of the moon. He had been invited by mission director Cornelius (John Hurt)(named for the character in the previous films) While he is accepted by most of his fellow crew members, Bon (Brian O'Shaughnessy), the crew’s navigator, dislikes having a “filthy, hairless human” on board.
The launch goes successfully, and they reach the far side of the moon. However, they encounter another ship in orbit around the moon. Darel and Henyel (Elizabeth Lee*) are sent to investigate the craft, and recognize it as a human era spacecraft. They are examining the ship, when a woman (Julie Bashir*) attacks them. They subdue her, and bring her on board. She states her name is “Danielle”, and she was part of the Hanuman mission[3], meant to find the Icarus, but getting lost, and malfunctioning. She had been able to bring the ship back to Earth, but many centuries after mankind had passed
Darel brings Danielle back to Earth, where she is mostly regarded as a curiosity, both amongst the apes and humans. She moves into Darel’s home, the wealthy part of a human neighborhood. After some mishaps and comedic short, Danielle and Darel begin to fall in love. Another romance occurs between Henyel and Bon as they help Danielle adapt. Bon is resistant due to his prejudice against humans. However, he begins to accept humans, especially when Danielle shows off her skills as a navigator.
In a stunning twist, however, Cornelius is the villain. He had intended to discredit humans by having Darel on the mission, hoping to use what he saw as its failure to segregate humans further. The fact that another human has arrived has thrown a wrench into his plans. He then decides to secretly eliminate Danielle, and pin it on Darel. Bon overhears this, and goes to warn the two of Cornelius’ scheme. They fight off Cornelius’ goons, and Darel and Danielle confront Cornelius. After some back-and-forth, Cornelius grandly reveals that his plans- which is revealed to have been secretly broadcast to the world. He is arrested, and Darel and Danielle begin a relationship.
The film broke even, but had less returns than the other two films. It was also criticized for imitating the plot of the first one in some respects, though many Marxist and feminist critics have reappraised the film, noting its subtle themes of class, racism, and gender empowerment.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes(1976)[4]
Directed by J. Lee Thompson, producer of the first and second films.
A prequel to the previous films, set in the near future. People, thanks to growing consumer and industry technology, don’t need to work as much, and thus have largely grown complacent Due to an increasing labor shortages and a growing middle class, the government had begun using trained apes to provide unskilled labor. They begin to increase the ape’s intelligence in order to do these tasks, using special drugs. To prevent them from overtaking humans, they are mostly kept away from full human intelligence. Still, one Chimp, Caesar (Armando Pucci*), a servant in an aristocrat’s mansion, is one of those who was able to reach full intelligence, especially after listening in on the private tutors of his masters. However, when his master hears him practicing diction, his master, Lord Salisbury (Peter Cushing) sells him to a TV circus entertainer (Terry Jones), who proceeds to exploits him for his abilities, and mistreats and abuses him and the other apes under his supervision. Caesar’s discontent is shared by the other circus apes (whom he is able to communicate with through sign language), who all loathe the entertainer, but don’t know how. Caesar hears a former lab chimp, who says that he was given a special “treatment” in order to reach his level of intelligence. Caesar and a couple of the apes sneak out, and steal the drugs from that ape’s facility. They now have increased intelligence, and confront the showman. Caesar then proceeds to announce that the apes should rise up against their masters, which is helped by the spread of the drug. The government attempts to contain the apes, but find that they are unable to contain them, as discontent grow. This culminates in a large scale battle between the apes and Entente Army. The apes are eventually allowed to live on the Isle of Man in peace. Whilst the apes live in peace, and begin to have technological advance, the film ends with the implication that humans are slowly losing their own edge….
The film would close out the tetraology, as diminishing box office returns and harsh criticism would end the franchise. Some would state, as opposed to the previous film’s leftist subtones, that it was a very Red Scare film, focusing on the radicalization of an underclass, and the insufficient response from the government to this threat, and the implications of this inaction.
Planet of the Apes (2009)
While widely known and referenced in popular culture, the Planet of the Apes franchise was in stasis after the failure of Rise. Several revivals were attempted (including a TV pilot in 1988, with Todd Carty in the Merou role, and James Bolam of Likely Lads fame as Cornelius), as were popular adaptations (an EBC radio play in 1981, a popular featurette in Metal Hurlant). Eventually, the remake was approved by Mirror-MGM, who would once again produce the film with Pathe. Actor Neil Gaiman would direct and appear in the film as Levain, one of the crew members.
The film mostly follows the plot of the original, with a couple key differences to keep up with the times. Here, a combination of climate change and nuclear warfare would lead to humanity’s demise in the intervening years of the Icarus flight. Ape society is now ostensibly a meritocracy, but the Orangutans have rigged the system in order to keep power. Apes of varying kinds are seen in all occupations. Mi Zaius (Andy Serkis) is now a corrupt politician who hopes to use Merou (Maurice Leblanc*) as a means of capaulting himself into a position on the high council, but whose far-exceeded intelligence thwarts him, forcing his hand. Still, many of the more iconic scenes of the original were retained, though updating
The film was a relative box office hit, and critics generally praised it, though some criticized it for hewing too close the original film.
[1] What I’d imagine the terminology would be for someone who oppose Petain’s coup
[2] The name of the villain in the OTL Battle
[3] This name came to me accidentally, funnily enough. I was thinking of an old story where Hanuman ate the sun, and I thought of Icarus having a similar story.
[4] Yeah, another one used OTL. There are only so many that can be used in this context.
