Planet of the Apes (1968)

Introduction

Released in the tumultuous year of 1968, Planet of the Apes is a film that does more than entertain—it provokes. It’s an allegorical, genre-bending work that combines speculative science fiction with biting social critique. Adapted from Pierre Boulle’s novel and shaped by Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling’s signature twist-ending sensibility, the film was a landmark achievement in visual effects, makeup artistry, and intellectual storytelling.

More than half a century later, it still resonates powerfully, addressing themes like racial inequality, religious dogma, environmental catastrophe, and the dangers of human arrogance. With a legendary ending etched into pop culture history, Planet of the Apes remains not only a cornerstone of sci-fi cinema, but also a haunting mirror to humanity.

Plot Summary

The film begins aboard a spaceship led by Colonel George Taylor (Charlton Heston), a cynical astronaut disillusioned with Earth and its people. After a long voyage in deep space and hyper-sleep, Taylor and his crew crash-land on what appears to be a desolate, alien planet. Separated from his crew and wounded, Taylor is soon horrified to discover that this world is ruled by intelligent, talking apes who enslave mute, primitive humans.

Among the apes, Taylor finds allies in two compassionate chimpanzee scientists—Zira (Kim Hunter) and Cornelius (Roddy McDowall)—who question the rigid, dogmatic society they live in. The ape civilization is rigidly hierarchical, with orangutans as dogmatic religious and political leaders, gorillas as military enforcers, and chimpanzees as intellectuals and scientists.

As Taylor fights for his life and his voice, he comes to realize the terrifying truth about this so-called alien world and the grim fate of mankind—culminating in one of cinema’s most shocking and unforgettable twist endings.

Themes and Allegory

Human Arrogance and Self-Destruction

Taylor begins the film bitter and nihilistic, having lost faith in humanity. Ironically, his journey only reaffirms his worst suspicions. The film critiques humanity’s technological hubris and penchant for war, suggesting that civilization’s downfall is not external, but internal. The eventual revelation that the ape planet is in fact a post-apocalyptic Earth serves as the ultimate cautionary tale.

Racial and Social Inequality

Released at the height of the civil rights movement, the film uses the ape society as a metaphorical lens to examine systemic discrimination, segregation, and the abuse of power. The role reversals are striking—humans are hunted, experimented on, and treated as lesser beings, forcing the audience to empathize with the oppressed in a disturbingly familiar hierarchy.

Science vs. Religion

A major conflict in the film arises from the clash between scientific truth and religious orthodoxy. Cornelius and Zira, who pursue scientific inquiry, are denounced by the ruling orangutan class for heresy. This dynamic reflects real-world debates over evolution, climate change, and the suppression of knowledge by institutions clinging to tradition or dogma.

Identity and Civilization

As Taylor loses his voice and status, he’s dehumanized in a literal and metaphorical sense. His arc becomes one of reclamation—not just of speech, but of dignity. The apes, though "civilized," exhibit the same flaws as human societies: prejudice, fear, and denial. The film asks: what truly defines humanity—biology, intelligence, morality?

Performance and Characters

Charlton Heston as Taylor

Heston brings a mix of bravado and existential bitterness to Taylor, perfectly embodying a man caught between two worlds and constantly at odds with both. His most famous line, “Take your stinkin' paws off me, you damn dirty ape!” is a cinematic lightning bolt, signalling the full reversal of power and identity. But his final anguished cry at the Statue of Liberty is where Heston delivers his most powerful moment—raw, tragic, and disillusioned.

Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter as Cornelius and Zira

McDowall and Hunter bring warmth and nuance to their chimpanzee roles, making their characters stand out not just because of the impressive prosthetics, but because of their emotional depth. They provide the film’s moral and intellectual core.

Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius

Dr. Zaius, the orangutan Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith, is a brilliant antagonist. He’s not evil, but pragmatic—willing to suppress truth for what he sees as the greater good. Evans plays him with cold, intellectual conviction, making Zaius both a symbol of dangerous conservatism and a tragic guardian of humanity’s secrets.

Direction and Cinematography

Franklin J. Schaffner directs with a strong sense of pacing and visual style, balancing adventure with thought-provoking drama. The use of wide, barren desert landscapes—filmed in Arizona and Utah—creates an eerie, alien atmosphere while emphasizing the desolation and mystery of the planet.

Cinematographer Leon Shamroy captures both the stark beauty and the surrealism of the ape world. The visual contrast between nature’s grandeur and the claustrophobic ape society reinforces the film’s themes of repression and loss.

Makeup and Special Effects

The ground breaking makeup by John Chambers was revolutionary for its time, winning an honorary Academy Award. Unlike the crude rubber masks of earlier sci-fi films, Chambers’ prosthetics allowed for real emotional expression and dialogue. The apes were believable—not just as costumes, but as fully realized characters.

Score

Jerry Goldsmith’s avant-garde score is one of the film’s unsung heroes. Using unconventional instrumentation, atonal harmonies, and tribal rhythms, the music intensifies the disorientation and menace. It perfectly complements the alien environment and the philosophical weight of the story.

The Iconic Ending

The twist ending—Taylor discovering the ruined Statue of Liberty—is among the most famous in film history. It recontextualizes everything, turning the narrative from science fiction into searing political allegory. It’s not a twist for shock value; it’s the final puzzle piece in a grand, cynical statement about mankind’s inability to escape its own doom.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Planet of the Apes was a massive success, spawning sequels, remakes, and reboots—including a 21st-century trilogy that was widely acclaimed. But the original film remains the most thematically daring and philosophically rich. Its influence can be seen in everything from Blade Runner to The Matrix, and in how it elevated science fiction into a medium for serious social commentary.

The film's mixture of action, philosophy, and spectacle paved the way for more mature genre storytelling, and it’s still taught in film schools and philosophy courses alike.

Conclusion

Planet of the Apes (1968) is far more than a cult classic or a sci-fi curiosity—it’s a profound meditation on humanity’s past, present, and possible future. With bold performances, intelligent writing, and one of cinema’s greatest endings, it remains as relevant today as it was over fifty years ago. It's a reminder that sometimes the greatest monsters we fear are not from other planets—they are ourselves.

Final Verdict: A haunting, intelligent, and visionary sci-fi landmark that speaks volumes across generations.