This week we’re diving into a cult classic — Escape from the Planet of the Apes — and it’s all thanks to our great Patreon supporter, Leigh! Leigh’s not just a top supporter; he also runs a fantastic YouTube channel called Movie Vent where he shares his love for all things cinema with Ventriloquist dummy, Ned. Check it out at youtube.com/@ventmovies.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) marked a clever shift in the Planet of the Apes franchise, driven by budget constraints and the desire to keep the series alive after the apocalyptic ending of the previous film. Director Don Taylor stepped in to helm the project, which reversed the formula by bringing the apes into the contemporary human world instead of humans stumbling into the apes’ future. The screenplay, written by Paul Dehn, embraced elements of satire and social commentary, while working within a significantly smaller budget than its predecessors. To keep costs down, much of the action was set in familiar, modern-day Los Angeles locations, and only a few characters required full prosthetic makeup compared to the previous films’ elaborate ape societies.
The production leaned heavily on the strong performances of Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter, reprising their roles as Cornelius and Zira, to carry the emotional weight of the story. Special effects were kept minimal, but John Chambers’ iconic makeup design for the apes remained a standout. The studio saw Escape as a gamble, pivoting the franchise from large-scale spectacle to a more character-driven drama with underlying themes of fear, prejudice, and destiny. Despite initial doubts, the movie was a financial success and breathed new life into the series, paving the way for even more sequels down the line.
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Trailer Guy Plot Summary
In a world where the future is doomed, three apes take one last chance... and crash-land straight into 1970s America! Hailed as celebrities but hunted as threats, Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo must navigate a society that's as fascinated by them as it is terrified of what they represent. Time is running out, danger is closing in, and the fate of two species hangs in the balance... in Escape from the Planet of the Apes!
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