PLANET OF THE APES (1968) Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Charlton Heston | Roddy McDowall
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The 1968 'Planet of the Apes' ending, featuring the Statue of Liberty, remains a powerful cinematic moment, even if spoiled.
- ❖The film's social commentary on humanity's self-destruction and the conflict between religion and science is direct and impactful.
- ❖The practical effects, particularly the ape prosthetics, are highly praised for their quality and the actors' ability to convey emotion through them.
- ❖The hosts discuss how the film uses a 'different planet' setting to critique contemporary societal issues, similar to Shakespeare's use of foreign settings.
- ❖The movie's themes of power, information control, and the inevitability of societal cycles are still deeply concerning and relevant.
- ❖The hosts appreciate how newer 'Planet of the Apes' films pay homage to the original, particularly through character names and thematic callbacks.
Insights
1Enduring Impact of the Iconic Ending
The hosts acknowledge that the film's reveal of the destroyed Statue of Liberty is widely known, yet watching it in the full context of the movie still delivers a 'heavy' and impactful message about humanity's fate. They note its status as an iconic cinematic moment.
The hosts discuss knowing the ending beforehand but still feeling the weight of the reveal. "But watching it in the context of the full movie, it's like gosh. Yes. That's heavy. The message is definitely very heavy and very heavy-handed in this one." ()
2Direct Social Commentary on Humanity's Flaws
The film's commentary on religion versus science, societal oppression, and humanity's path to self-destruction is described as 'in your face' and 'heavy-handed' compared to modern adaptations. The hosts connect this to the political climate of 1968, suggesting the 'different planet' setting made the critique more palatable.
The hosts state: "The message is definitely very heavy and very heavy-handed in this one compared to like the the modern I guess series of Planet of the Apes movies where it's kind of a similar vibe or a similar message, but it's a little more subtle in the use of it. But they're really just like fully in your face. Like This is the message. Society bad, you know, human humanity bad. Yeah. We're heading to our own destruction." ()
3Excellence of Practical Effects and Ape Performances
The hosts highly praise the 1968 film's practical effects, particularly the ape prosthetics and costumes. They highlight the actors' ability to emote and deliver strong performances despite the heavy makeup, making the characters believable and contributing significantly to the film's lasting quality.
One host remarks: "The ape performers were phenomenal. Amazing. The whole scene between Cornelius and um the the doctor whose name I'm forgetting. Zira. Yeah, the whole scene between Cornelius and Zira in their home when they're trying to get answers out of Taylor was so good. Like just the chemistry they had and their ability to emote and act underneath like all of this face prosthetic. So good. It's really impressive." ()
4The Role of Knowledge Control in Society
The discussion emphasizes how the ape society, particularly Dr. Zaius, actively suppresses scientific findings and historical truths to maintain control and prevent societal upheaval. This reflects a broader theme of those in power controlling narratives and information, a concept the hosts find concerning and relevant.
The hosts discuss: "It is really concerning, you know, because it's true. You look at anything throughout history. As soon as they start burning books and stuff like that or banning things, you're like, Well, every every major like scientific breakthrough was met with resistance from the powers that be, right?" ()
Key Concepts
Societal Cycles
The idea that societies, regardless of the dominant species, tend to repeat patterns of violence, prejudice, and self-destruction, eventually leading to their downfall. The hosts discuss how the apes, despite trying to avoid man's mistakes, fall into similar pitfalls like caste systems and suppression of knowledge.
Custodianship vs. Ownership
The hosts reflect on the human tendency to view the planet as something to own and bend to will, rather than a system to be a custodian of. This mindset, they argue, leads to environmental degradation and conflict, contrasting with the natural ecosystem where everything has a role.
Resistance to Scientific Breakthrough
The concept that major scientific advancements are often met with resistance and suppression from established powers or dogmatic beliefs, as exemplified by Galileo and the church, and mirrored in the ape society's reaction to evidence challenging their sacred scrolls.
Notable Moments
The hosts react to the initial reveal of the apes as the dominant, intelligent species, noting the effectiveness of the costumes and prosthetics.
This scene is a pivotal moment in the film, establishing the inverted societal structure and setting the stage for the core conflict. The hosts' reaction highlights the enduring quality of the filmmaking.
Discussion around the film's use of a 'different planet' to critique contemporary issues, drawing parallels to Shakespeare's plays.
This analytical point reveals a classic storytelling technique for delivering social commentary without directly confronting the audience, making the film's message more digestible.
The hosts' appreciation for the subtle callbacks and homages in the modern 'Planet of the Apes' adaptations, such as the 'Bright Eyes' reference.
This shows how well-regarded the original film is and how its legacy continues to influence and enrich subsequent entries in the franchise, creating a cohesive narrative universe.
Quotes
"The message is definitely very heavy and very heavy-handed in this one compared to like the the modern I guess series of Planet of the Apes movies where it's kind of a similar vibe or a similar message, but it's a little more subtle in the use of it. But they're really just like fully in your face. Like This is the message. Society bad, you know, human humanity bad. Yeah. We're heading to our own destruction."
"It's really interesting to watch the apes behave like we do and like treat the humans the way that we would treat animals. Like if we suddenly discovered that like your pet dog could talk or something like that."
"Every major like scientific breakthrough was met with resistance from the powers that be, right?"
"The ape performers were phenomenal. Amazing. The whole scene between Cornelius and Zira in their home when they're trying to get answers out of Taylor was so good. Like just the chemistry they had and their ability to emote and act underneath like all of this face prosthetic. So good. It's really impressive."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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