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Many early science fiction films are now, quite inadvertently (and in most cases undeservedly), objects of camp attention: we laugh at the silly makeup, tin-can special effects, and the naive "high-tech" dialogue. Planet of the Apes is no such film. Its intelligent script, frightening costuming, and savagely effective conclusion (which needs no big-budget special effects to augment its impact) remain both potent and relevant. When Colonel George Taylor (the fabulous Charlton Heston) crash lands his spacecraft on what seems to be an unfamiliar planet, he is captured and held prisoner by a dominant race of hyperrational, articulate apes. However, the ape community is riven with internal dissention, centered in no small part on its policy toward humans, who, on this planet, are treated as mindless animals. Befriended and ultimately assisted by the more liberal simians, Taylor escapes--only to find a more terrifying obstacle confronting his return home. Heavy-handed object lessons abound--the ubiquity of generational warfare, the inflexibility of dogma, the cruelty of prejudice--and the didactic fingerprints of Rod Serling are very much in evidence here. But director Franklin Schaffner has a dark, pop-apocalyptic sci-fi vision all his own, and time has not dulled the monumental emotional impact of the film's climactic payoff shot. If you don't know what I'm talking about here, you owe it to yourself to check out this stone classic, and even if you do, see it with fresh eyes; and don't be surprised if you get the chills all over again... and again... and again. --Miles Bethany ... Read more

Reviews (173)

"A planet where apes evolved from men...?"
Grade "A" sci-fi movie. This was Charlton Heston in his prime - before "Midway", "Earthquake", and "Gray Lady Down"... and after the great ones "Ben Hur", "Touch Of Evil", and "Ten Commandments". An Oscar winner for John Chambers' monkey make-up. Along with Heston (Col. George Talyor), Roddy McDowall (Cornelius), Kim Hunter (Zira), Maurice Evans (Zaius), and the mute love interest Linda Harrison (Nova) all give outstanding supporting roles. Released in February 1968, this movie was way ahead of it's time. A great idea with apes ruling the planet that man once ruled... how clever to take an idea so simple and turn it upside down. The final scene (filmed at Zuma Beach, CA) is defined as "classic"... and even tho there is no big bang or special effects extravaganza, the last 5 minutes of this movie will leave you with your mouth agape. With all the hub-bub over the new (2001) Tim Burton "reimagination" of this film (which in my opinion was a huge let down)... I would have thought this particular DVD would've had more to offer in the way of extra goodies... not so. This DVD will give you the 112 minute film in necessary widescreen format, a photo gallery, & trailer(s). No interviews, deleted scenes or behind the scenes simian stuff at all. Too bad. This is a great movie and essential in most any library of classic films.

Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!
When Franklin J. Schaffner's brilliant science-fiction masterpiece was released to audiences in 1968, the world was still in a sense of uncertainty at just what the future would hold in store. With Cold War paranoia still running high in the United States, PLANET OF THE APES ingeniously incorporated the fears of society with the popular concept of space exploration to come up with a film that's still relevant now more than ever. Politics aside, the original PLANET OF THE APES also makes for very entertaining viewing and its timeless appeal is just as enjoyable and fun now as it was over thirty years ago!

The movie starts off with a rather somber and understated prologue with four astronauts going into deep hibernation. Their spaceship crash-lands on a planet some two thousand years into the future, where apes have evolved into the dominant species and the humans are regarded as the animals. To reveal any more about the plot would be unfair, but it's important to note that the intelligent screenplay (co-written by none other than Twilight Zone host/writer Ron Serling) raises some very provocative issues about society, religion, science and law. The absolutely brilliant ending has since become the stuff of legends, and remains one of the instantly-recognizable images in popular culture.

Charlton Heston gives a magnificent and absolutely convincing performance as astronaut George Taylor, and would go on to become a mainstay in post-apocalyptic movies, such as BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE OMEGA MAN, and SOYLENT GREEN. Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter give excellent performances as apes Cornelius and Zira, and Maurice Evans plays his ape protagonist, Dr. Zaius, with just the right amount of contempt to make it work wonderfully! The acting is top notch, the direction is marvelous, and the special effects on the apes are fantastic!

The Digitally Mastered DVD from Twentieth Century Fox is a thing of beauty, and an absolute joy for fans of this film. The film is presented is an absolutely gorgeous 2.35:1 Widescreen format (which is its original aspect ratio). Bonus features include an excellent photo gallery and a series of theatrical trailers for every single one of the films in the series (a nice touch). Essential!

ape
in this one some astronauts are in suspended animation.they come out and go down to some strange planet.charelston heston is in it.whos he?guess that was before my time.the kids will think the apes are funny.i cant tell if its low budget because all those old movies look low budget.it is the best of the set which has many many sequels.it is also better than the tim burton version.the very last scene is very well acted and one of my favorite scenes ever.thee are some chicks about but its hard to tell that they are as sexy as they are through all the grime and dirt from the forest world they live in.its an excellent film.

a brilliant classic
With its excellent performances and tight, smart script written by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson (based on the book by Pierre Boulle), this is a film that stays fresh and interesting even with repeated viewings. Released the same year as "2001: A Space Odyssey", both films are at the top of my "super sci-fi" list, and stack up against the best of what has been released in recent years, which relies more than ever on special effects to tell the story; the effects in "Planet of the Apes" are minimal, and it's the latex make-up that is the marvel, and garnered John Chambers a Special Award at the Oscars for his work, which allows the ape characters full freedom of facial expressions. Oscar nominations went for costume design, and the marvelous score by Jerry Goldsmith.
The cinematography by Leon Shamroy is also fantastic, and I love the aerial descent that starts the film.

Charlton Heston as the astronaut who lands in an "upside down world", and Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall as free thinking scientists are superb, and in smaller roles, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore and James Daly terrific as authority figures in the ape colony.
This film had four sequels, a TV series and a cartoon series, as well as a multitude of merchandise from plastic figurines to bubble gum cards, but the original stays pristine and untarnished by its often silly spin-offs, and is a one-of-a-kind classic.
What this film has, that one can appreciate even when one knows what it is, is that rare thing...a great ending. Very few films leave one with a satisfied feeling at their close, but this one is unique, brilliantly filmed, and like a perfect dessert after a good meal.
Total running time is 112 minutes.

A fundamental sci fi movie
In the authority chain, you may distinguish the clear diference between the apes too.
One spacial navy suddenly falls in a hole time and it's carried hundred years after. The landing in a unknown planet, carries to these man and it shows them a world ruled by apes who dictate its own rules and have established the official story.
The man is under them in the evolutive chain. The men have lost his speaking capacity and they only make gutural sounds. Their state is something less than pitiful.

George Taylor is wounded in his throat and that's why he can not articulate even a single word.
The dramatic sequences in the same point he pronounces the first word,(Do you remember the miracle worker and the wild child?) creates a true revolution among the ape scientist. This behavior are against the rules. The law is the law.(The island of Dr. Moreau)
And so, Taylor is involved in a constant fight for surviving. His friends can not help him anymore , one is dead and the other suffered a lobotomy.
The dramatic ideas exchange between Taylor and the master science of the ape comunity include hilarious bits and obviously undeniable conflicts between the science and the faith. Forget all you learned about Darwin and please watch the mirror image. All the concepts are reverted and so the anguish and the poor human condition is less than zero.
Finally our hero ¿wins? and he can carry Nova his only possibilitie for sow the next human seed generational, but he will find out the astonishing revelation.
Since its release, this film involved just once more the fever for new concepts and ideas. Fahrenheit 451 (1967) and 2001 was released the same year and the world was in a decisive turning point. The man conquers the moon and the screen must be part of this decisive event.
So the people turns back over Asimov, Bradbury, Boulle, Stanoslav Lem and will read over and will find out new universes, bitter nightmares spacials. In a very close state the fifties had a coommon behavior. The ancient films of sci fi were released, and others were remade.We had to expect four years for Solaris directed by Tarkovski in 1972.
In this sense, you can not forget the political behavior in many countries in that age. There were many dictators all around the world , and the figure of the ape was a clear methapor of them.
Undoubtly, you may be find the film , thirty years after, a little bit aged, but the dramatic implications that a nuclear conflict involves, still feed the imagination of many people.
Charlton Heston was a true icon of rthe anti hero in the fifties (with his religious films) and in the sixties (with historical roles), then he would make another war films but keeping always that undeniable majesty for make prevailing the truth, no matter what's the prize you pay.
Sensational direction of Franklin Schaffner and arresting sequences, like the human chase and the scape from the jail (or the concentration camps) .
Another cult movie and the best of its following entries. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Very Imaginative
This was a wonderfully imaginative movie. What an idea, if one of the greatest artists in history came back in modern times. An artist that was shunned and reaped no rewards for his life's works returns to find that his paintings are now worth 10's of millions of dollars (or 100's of millions). If you have the ability to enter into the third party of film; to believe the unbelievable, you'll like this movie. It's not a "solid" movie. Some of the acting leaves want for more, as does the cinematography. However, it was thoroughly enjoyable. All round, I liked it.

Torn between one star and five...
Dear Reader,
Was this the worst movie I've ever seen? Yes! Do I highly reccomend seeing it? Yes! The movie was so bad it made me laugh. I especially loved how all the backgrounds were actually pictures of cafes with heads in front of them. I didn't appreciate at all. I mean, I don't even think if it had been produced by and insanely rich person and given a huge budget it would have survived, but its poor quality makes it quite amusing. So go ahead and see it, but I see no reason why you should buy it.

Sincerely,
Me, tears of disgust and joy

STARRY NIGHT
STARRY NIGHT is amazingly magical. It resonated to the artist in all of us who have struggled with art all of our lives and have not been recognized in our lifetimes. It gives hope. Abbott Alexander's fanciful portrayal of Vincent is wonderful -- you can't keep your eyes off of him. He is intensely charismatic. I bought many copies to send to family back home -- as this is a must see for all families to watch together -- and there are not many films out there like that.

Light and fun. Gives a bit of sunshine to the way people....
Light and fun. Gives a bit of sunshine to the way people invision Vincent van Gogh. I think that if you see this movie with knowing that is fantasy and a kind of what if story line...
Then en you will smile and feel got at the end.

Enjoyable Light Movie/VVG Returns...to LA!
I've seen all the "serious" Van Gogh movies extant as he is one of my very favorite painters. It would be silly to try and compare this movie to any of them as it has a very different aim. This is a very whimsical fairy tale based on the idea of what would happen if Vincent came back. What would he think of the prices that his art now goes for? What would he think of the buyers of his work? Would he ally himself with starving artists needing the help he needed in his own lifetime? I found these very provocative questions and the movie examines how Vincent would answer those questions if he had 100 days to live again in modern day LA. Don McLean sings his ode to Vincent over the credits and that is very nice too. I'm sure this was shot on a shoestring budget but that adds to its rather offbeat charm. I'm an artist and that may have influenced my liking of this film. An art collector might not like this film much though as Vincent does not think much of them (which is fairly consistent with his view in his own time). If you have Van Gogh high up on a pedestal, I would advise you to skip this movie. There is nothing exalted about this movie at all and that's why I liked it. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Awesome Family movie
This is a great movie for the whole family. I was hooked with in 5 min of watching it. I can watch it over and over again and so do my kids. This is a classic, a must buy, great movie! I just don't know what else to say about it other then it's great!
Five stars for this one. I wish they had this movie on DVD...maybe soon...... Enjoy!

Melbourne, FL. ... Read more

Description

The man behind the legend and a knowing look at the 1950's Hollywood are revealed in this dynamic bioepic of the meteoric star whose troubled life echoed his gut-grabbing performances in East of Eden, Rebel Without A Cause and Giant. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

A Star is Born in James Franco!
James Franco gives a remarkable performance in this excellent biopic of James Dean. The film beautifully shows James Deans rise to fame as one of Americas Idols. It also showed many things about his life that I had no idea about. His quirkiness, his rage against his father, his love for a 14 yr old, and many others. During this time James Dean was the hottest thing in Hollywood, and it was a shame he only did 3 movies. This was a very heartfelt, touching film filled with amazing performances. I had never seen a James Dean movie, but because of James Franco's remarkable performance, I plan too.

James Dean--Re-Invented
James Dean, the TNT movie which premiered on August 5, 2001, is a worthy piece of fiction. Most notable for the remarkable performance of James Franco, any resemblence to James Dean's real life is purely coincidental. While I am happy that a movie about James Dean's life was made because it introduces this remarkable actor to a whole new generation of people, anyone well-versed in Dean's REAL life has to come away from this TNT REEL version of it, disappointed. Dean's short life was dramatic enough without additions or embelishments. This movie takes gigantic liberties with the truth which are unneccesary and jarring. At the same time, it is an affecting drama and James Franco's performance is worthy of the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice awards he won for his portrayal of Dean. I hope that TNT's effort will inspire people to seek out and watch the original performances of one of the most gifted and unique performers in movie history--James Dean.

Closest you'll ever get to meet James Dean!
This has to be, without a doubt, the best James Dean movie to date! I have been a obsessed James Dean fan ever since I saw Rebel Without A Cause 10 years ago. Out of all the movies made about him, James Franco has hit the mark on what he was like! Its almost as if Franco left his body and James Dean entered. Its eerie! The only downside is that the film was made for TNT, so it movesa bit too fast to include other major points of his life. All in all, this film is very good and the acting is great! Soundtrack is not bad either!

Very Good
I first saw this movie when it aired on TNT a few years ago and I was very impressed. I had never been a James Dean fanatic, but I wasn't indifferent either. I was born 15 months after Dean's fatal car crash and as I grew up I had heard about James Dean and saw his movies. I remember being especially moved by Dean in "East of Eden," (and falling for "Cal" alittle) when I first saw it in the 1970s. I had been told that James Dean had died in a car crash right after he finished making "Giant."

I recently bought this movie after seeing a group of Dean's friends talking about him on a special "Larry King Live." I am also reading a book about him.

James Franco does as good a job of portraying James Dean as anyone could. He did a great job of capturing mannerisms and postures, and the mumbling speech. This is a very well made movie, and a very sympathetic one. Its such a shame we didn't get to see Dean in more movie roles.

Franco retells the legend
great movie and its a tv movie and i enjoyed it beacause I love James Dean. Franco is really the person to do the job ro retell how his life went and how it suddenly left after the tradgic car crash. thought the movie at the end said the guessed on some of the parts and it doesnt bother me. the actors really doa good job portraying who Dean worked with. a gem of a movie. a must have in anyones collection or if anyone is a fan of Dean ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second--and most horrifying--of the fivePlanet of the Apes movies, this film goes where few end-of-the-world movies ever dare tread. It's the far future. The mass of humanity has descended into speechless savagery, kept as captive animals by the talking apes who have inherited the world. Two astronauts from our time have landed here, retracing the path of their lost comrade, Captain Taylor (Charlton Heston). Unfortunately, they've landed in the middle of a grim situation. Warlike gorillas are preparing to eliminate the last shards of shattered human civilization, a degenerate, subterranean cult worshipping the greatest of all human achievements--the cobalt bomb. As well as rescuing Taylor, the two men have to stop the gorillas from wiping out humanity ... and stop humanity from fulfilling their self-appointed, self-destructive destiny. This is both thrill-a-minute science fiction and a surprisingly deep reflection on the human condition. Plus, it's got lots of guys in really keen ape suits.--Grant Balfour ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Gorillas on the March!
"Beneath the Planet of the Apes" is the second and most whacked-out film in the "Apes" series. It's somewhat successful due to sheer psychedelic madness, despite a budget cut that forces some of the players into ill-fitting and really dopey-looking masks.

James Franciscus works hard as Brent, the human this go-around. He gets a bit deranged by his experiences, but recovers in the bizarro third act where he reunites the lovely Nova (Linda Harrison) with Taylor (Charlton Heston again) beneath a ruined New York while the whole ape army storms the place.

Unfortunately, this movie began the series' flirtation with camp and heavy-handed social commentary. You get to hear a gorilla general (effectively played by James Gregory) preach genocide, and witness a mini-recreation of the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention right there on the streets of Ape City, as chimp peaceniks try a little nonviolence; the gorilla police don't take to hippies, either.

Still, it's a lot of fun and features some funky hallucinations and freaky special effects- especially when the mutant humans pull off their masks and reveal their skinless faces while worshipping an atomic bomb. And not just any atomic bomb- but a special one that'll destroy all life on earth. Well, you get the idea. Check it out and have some trippy fun some night when you don't have anything better to do. Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans return from the first film; this is the only "Apes" movie without the fantastic Roddy McDowall, who would subsequently the series' central figure with his winning chimp portrayals. Comes with the added bonus of having more Nova action than the first, too.

Beneath the first Planet of the Apes
Beneath the Planet of the Apes has Nova and new astronaut Brent searching for Taylor, who is lost in the Forbidden Zone. They are only a few steps ahead of the gorilla army, who are assembling to eradicate what's left of humanity. Nova and Brent go underground into an old subway system, where they find a race of telepathic mutants worshipping an atomic bomb as a God.

After being captured by the mutants, Nova and Brent find Taylor himself is a captive. After almost killing each other because of the mutants' powers on their minds, they set out to stop the bomb from going up.

During the gorilla army assault on the mutants' lair, Brent and Nova are killed, and Taylor is seriously injured. The death of his only human companions make Taylor set off the bomb himself, destroying Earth for good.

None of the Planet of the Apes movies are known for happy endings, but this one is the darkest of them all. Taylor is back only as a cameo, and even that can't save this movie from a bad ending. What's the point of having a conflict between apes and man if the only resolution is everyone getting killed?

The overall concept for this movie wasn't bad: Finding a new civilization separate from the Ape culture, seeing more ruins from Humanity, etc. But the execution was dark and only got darker. If you want to watch a nice, relaxing movie, look elsewhere.

WHAT?!! ALMOST NO CHARLTON HESTON!!?
I think this is a pretty good film. I admit it is no where near as good as its predecessor,but it does make a good Sci-fi film.James Franciscus is astronaut Brent on a rescue mission to save Taylor. He plays his part well, but he can't replace the almighty Charlton Heston.It's got a cool plot,but the ending is soooooooooo stupid. You can't just kill Nova,Taylor, and Brent. I can't believe they did that.Also, Charlton Heston is in the movie,for like what, 5 minutes? Even with all these flaws, its a good movie.

Campy sequel to a sci-fi classic
There's something about "Beneath" that grabs your attention and doesn't let it go. The plot is pretty standard fare. Two astronauts (neither played by Charlton Heston) stumble upon that infamous monkey planet and discover that those pesky apes are STILL trying to wipe out the last traces of humanity. The costumes (not stunning in the prequel) look even more fake this time around. It's HARD to suspend your belief when the apes look like people running around in ape costumes!
Then we get to the subterranean scenes. Our surviving astronaut meets Nova (expertly played by a scantily-clad Linda Harrison) and a cult of nuke-worshipping mutants who sing praises to the "almighty bomb". There's this black dude who can make people kill each other if he shuts his eyes real tight and looks like he's taking a crap.

I am not making any of this up.

What saves the film at this point is a cameo by none other than Moses himself. The NRA chairman appears towards the end of the movie and he's as surly as ever. His manic performance takes "Beneath" up a notch.

But to say the ending is anti-climatic is, well, an understatement.

There seems to be no hurry to get the "Planet of the Ape" sequels out on DVD. I am not surprised. Each one gets progressively worse. See "Return to..." if you don't believe me. And the Tim Burton "reimagining" is just as awful.

"You maniacs...you blew it up!"

Mad Max meets Charles Darwin!! Unbeatable!!!!!!
Of the five "Apes" original films, this is unquestionably the best! Mad Max meets Charles Darwin! This film seems to prophecise the subsequent TV series and the course it would take! I have seen this movie an uncountable number of times and I still am not bored with it! This film gives a whole new meaning to the term, Guerilla (Gorilla) Warfare! General Ursus was probably a great military commander! There are certainly more gorillas in this sequel than in all the other "Apes" movies combined! The post atomic humanoid mutants are so hypocritical about being "a peaceful people" that they deserve to be slaughtered by the gorillas! I am opposed to ALL forms of warfare but if I had to choose sides in this war, I would defineately side with the apes,because the radiation-crazed mutants are ten times more dangerous and frightful than even the most brutal gorilla soldier!When I first saw the film, I sort of wished Brent and Taylor had managed to diffuse the bomb, but I realize that that would lessen the impact of the films message of peace: War is Suicide!!! If you can't afford the full-boxed set of all the Planet Of the Apes films this Christmas,At least buy this one!!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

best 'spoof' yet!
I absolutely laugh myself silly every time I watch this movie. Each viewing shows me something else I missed the previous time-the sight gags and little obscure jokes keep popping up all over. My husband and I use bits of dialog countless times in conversation, and never tire of watching! YOU WILL ENJOY IT!

Sodbusters
Can never watch this movie enough. The dwarf trying to think of "ostrich" still brings me to tears laughing. The first time I saw it,I continued to burst into laughter hours after the end of the movie just thinking about it. Best fun I've had in many years.

Sodbusters
One of the funniest 'spoofs' on a western movie. Each time you watch it you will find something you missed before. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

An Ape Revelutionary and His Human Collaborators
Of all the Planet of The Apes films, this was the most exciting to watch. Ceasar (Roddy McDowall) with the aid of Armando( Ricardo Montablan) and Mr. McDonald (Hari Rhodes) plans, organizes and leads a revolt against the human regime led by Beck (Don Murray). Mr. McDonald , the only African-American in the film, plays an influential role in saving Ceasar's life and saving the lives of the captured humans.

The Apes Are... Dare I Say It... Revolting!
Back in the 70s, if you wanted to show the future, you filmed in a brand new shopping mall. Or Century City, which looks like a community college in "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," the fourth film in that time-tripping monkey movie series.

In this one, Roddy McDowall plays Caesar, the son of Cornelius, the character he played in the first and third movies. Caesar's human mentor Armando (Ricardo Montalban) takes him to the big city. Unfortunately, the big city is where Caesar's fellow apes slave for The Man, represented here by Governor Breck (Don Taylor).

Revolution ensues, which gives rise to the apes' rule over the humans. And not a moment too soon, because before it turns scary-violent, "Conquest" is by turns preachy, unintentionally funny (Caesar gets naked and hides himself in a cage of extras wearing terrible ape suits apparently on loan from "Gilligan's Island") and tedious (the conditioning scenes go on and on). The final image, with a blazing building in the background, remains chilling, but overall, one film too many in this series. And yet there would be another...

Most Disturbing Entry in the APES Saga
This is the fourth "Planet of the Apes" movie and one of the best in many as it is violent and disturbing. One scene in particular of an ape being tortured by electric shock is almost unbearable to watch. The film documents how the apes led by Caesar (portrayed by Roddy McDowall) rebel against the humans and ultimately begin their takeover of the planet. Don Murray as the maniacal Fascist Breck is brilliant in an energetic and demented performance. Hari Rhodes as the sympathetic MacDonald is very convincing but he is unable to convince Breck of the inevitable. Ricardo Montalban returns as Armando the beloved circus owner. J. Lee Thompson's direction is impressive in what may look like another hokey sequel but in reality the film is a metaphor of mans' infinite capacity for cruelty.

One of the series best
What could be cooler than an ape running down the street with an M16? This "futuristic" setting was extremely well done. The story was great and aside from the original (the best), the climiax will leave you in awe. The whole series rocks, even the new version (2001) You can't go wrong by owning all of these movies, and the Tv series on DVD. Go Ape!

The best of them all!
This film has been overlooked, even though it is the best of all next to the original. It has a an excellent story which leads up to the downfall of makind to the apes. It is one of the best because it explains alot of the questions that we the viewers have watching the frist 3. How did mankind fall to the apes? Who was the ape that lead them? etc. Although it seems to be slightly altered from the original history of the original film. My favorite part of this film, is the main character Caesar. He smart, strong and the king of the apes. It so interesting how he lead the apes out of slavery. This is the best ape film of all. In the words of Caesar, "Long live the king!" ... Read more

Amazon.com

Rumor has it that Sid and Marty Krofft are developing a new movie based on their bizarre life-size puppet show, H.R. Pufnstuf. But will it hold up to their first feature? Looking more like an ambitious TV episode than a feature film, the endearingly low-tech Pufnstuf hit the big screen in 1970 with the gee-whiz spirit of a community theater musical. The whole cast is here: Jack Wild's lisping hero, who sings and dances with his magic talking flute; Billie Hayes' cackling Witchiepoo; the drawling dragon Pufnstuf; and the usual collection of talking trees, beavers, owls, mushrooms, and other frantic live-action cartoon characters. Martha Raye guest stars as Boss Witch and "Mama" Cass Elliot (as Witchiepoo's archrival in the "Witch of the Year" contest) sings "different is hard, different is lonely." The songs are otherwise eminently forgettable, and the story is the usual Saturday morning silliness of bumbling bad guys and resourceful heroes in slapstick square-offs--you can almosthear the laugh track. Fans of the show will appreciate its surreal weirdness (Witchiepoo as a go-go dance instructor?), but what can anyone make of the image of Pufnstuf spinning on a spit over a barbeque? It's no Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory but Billie Hayes powers the picture with her madcap energy and comic flair. And even gets her own song, "We Can Zap the World." Zap away, Witchiepoo. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (11)

CASS ELLIOT MAKES THIS MOVIE!
THIS MOVIE IS GREAT. SORT OF LIKE THE MUPPETS ON ACID. WHAT TRULY MAKES THIS A GREAT MOVIE IS THE LATE CASS ELLIOT. HER ROLE AS WITCH HAZEL IS JUST TOO MUCH! YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY SEE/FEEL THAT ALL OF THE ACTORS' ENJOYED THEMSELVES MAKING THIS PICTURE. IT IS ALSO OF GREAT SENTIMENTAL VALUE FOR ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS WHEN THIS MOVIE FIRST CAME OUT (THIS MOVIE WAS MADE IN 1970, AND IT WAS ONLY JUST RECENTLY RELEASED ON VHS). AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IT FEATURES WHAT, BASICALLY, IS THE FIRST MUSIC VIDEO TO BE MADE WHEN CASS ELLIOT PERFORMS THE SONG 'DIFFERENT'. THIS PICTURE IS GREAT FOR KIDS, AS WELL AS ADULTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO FEEL THE NOSTALGIA OF THEIR LONG-AGO CHILDHOOD. DON'T MISS THIS!!!

Cass Elliot fan
I loved Pufnstuf as a child. I saw this movie in the theater. When I realized that Mama Cass was in it, it was my life-long ambition to get this movie! I tried unsuccessfully to convince Blockbuster video that this movie existed! Finally, when I visited [the web] I thought I'd try to see if it was here. You can't imagine my amazement! The movie is a MUST SEE for children (or big kids like me!). No bad language, and very colorful...great songs.... My 5-year old sings along with it!Sid and Marty Krofft did us a favor and satisfied the child in all of us with this one.

childhood memories
after watching this film as a child of 5 years old i remember feeling very scared of whitcheepoo and how fantastic jack wild was .the songs were unforgetable so much infact that i let my own children watch the film ,they loved it . its very hard to get it in this country ...

Zap the World!
When you look past the best-we-could-do budget of this gem, you see the genius of it all, the heart, the soul, the depth.The music is wonderful!I personally have had the original Lp in fairly heavy rotation since I was a very small child, and it helped me get through a lot of weird times in my life.'Zap the World' is inspirational music to me.Look at the excellent syncopation on 'If I could', these were really something of quality!Look at the costumes, handmade and copied by many many many, INCLUDING MCDONALDS,who Sid and Marty sucessfully sued in the 70's.Watch this with an open mind and your eyes untinged by the cynical slickness of our current soulless societal paradigm, if nothing else, to get away from the perversity of the current jaded fashionistas. Different is heartache, different is pain, but I'd rather be different than be the same!

Even kids nowadays can get into this movie!
I remember watching Pufnstuf along with the rest of Sid and Marty Kroffts productions growing up. They were great. My brother-in-law made us a copy of some of the shows back when Nickolodean was running a Sid and Marty Krofft marathon. My three and five year olds girls were hooked. They are now five and seven and still enjoy. It is something to watch as a family. And while it might not be as graphically well-done as newer shows and video games, it still has a bit of fascination to it no matter what age you are. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

An Ape Revelutionary and His Human Collaborators
Of all the Planet of The Apes films, this was the most exciting to watch. Ceasar (Roddy McDowall) with the aid of Armando( Ricardo Montablan) and Mr. McDonald (Hari Rhodes) plans, organizes and leads a revolt against the human regime led by Beck (Don Murray). Mr. McDonald , the only African-American in the film, plays an influential role in saving Ceasar's life and saving the lives of the captured humans.

The Apes Are... Dare I Say It... Revolting!
Back in the 70s, if you wanted to show the future, you filmed in a brand new shopping mall. Or Century City, which looks like a community college in "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," the fourth film in that time-tripping monkey movie series.

In this one, Roddy McDowall plays Caesar, the son of Cornelius, the character he played in the first and third movies. Caesar's human mentor Armando (Ricardo Montalban) takes him to the big city. Unfortunately, the big city is where Caesar's fellow apes slave for The Man, represented here by Governor Breck (Don Taylor).

Revolution ensues, which gives rise to the apes' rule over the humans. And not a moment too soon, because before it turns scary-violent, "Conquest" is by turns preachy, unintentionally funny (Caesar gets naked and hides himself in a cage of extras wearing terrible ape suits apparently on loan from "Gilligan's Island") and tedious (the conditioning scenes go on and on). The final image, with a blazing building in the background, remains chilling, but overall, one film too many in this series. And yet there would be another...

Most Disturbing Entry in the APES Saga
This is the fourth "Planet of the Apes" movie and one of the best in many as it is violent and disturbing. One scene in particular of an ape being tortured by electric shock is almost unbearable to watch. The film documents how the apes led by Caesar (portrayed by Roddy McDowall) rebel against the humans and ultimately begin their takeover of the planet. Don Murray as the maniacal Fascist Breck is brilliant in an energetic and demented performance. Hari Rhodes as the sympathetic MacDonald is very convincing but he is unable to convince Breck of the inevitable. Ricardo Montalban returns as Armando the beloved circus owner. J. Lee Thompson's direction is impressive in what may look like another hokey sequel but in reality the film is a metaphor of mans' infinite capacity for cruelty.

One of the series best
What could be cooler than an ape running down the street with an M16? This "futuristic" setting was extremely well done. The story was great and aside from the original (the best), the climiax will leave you in awe. The whole series rocks, even the new version (2001) You can't go wrong by owning all of these movies, and the Tv series on DVD. Go Ape!

The best of them all!
This film has been overlooked, even though it is the best of all next to the original. It has a an excellent story which leads up to the downfall of makind to the apes. It is one of the best because it explains alot of the questions that we the viewers have watching the frist 3. How did mankind fall to the apes? Who was the ape that lead them? etc. Although it seems to be slightly altered from the original history of the original film. My favorite part of this film, is the main character Caesar. He smart, strong and the king of the apes. It so interesting how he lead the apes out of slavery. This is the best ape film of all. In the words of Caesar, "Long live the king!" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Awesome Family movie
This is a great movie for the whole family. I was hooked with in 5 min of watching it. I can watch it over and over again and so do my kids. This is a classic, a must buy, great movie! I just don't know what else to say about it other then it's great!
Five stars for this one. I wish they had this movie on DVD...maybe soon...... Enjoy!

Melbourne, FL. ... Read more

Reviews (173)

"A planet where apes evolved from men...?"
Grade "A" sci-fi movie. This was Charlton Heston in his prime - before "Midway", "Earthquake", and "Gray Lady Down"... and after the great ones "Ben Hur", "Touch Of Evil", and "Ten Commandments". An Oscar winner for John Chambers' monkey make-up. Along with Heston (Col. George Talyor), Roddy McDowall (Cornelius), Kim Hunter (Zira), Maurice Evans (Zaius), and the mute love interest Linda Harrison (Nova) all give outstanding supporting roles. Released in February 1968, this movie was way ahead of it's time. A great idea with apes ruling the planet that man once ruled... how clever to take an idea so simple and turn it upside down. The final scene (filmed at Zuma Beach, CA) is defined as "classic"... and even tho there is no big bang or special effects extravaganza, the last 5 minutes of this movie will leave you with your mouth agape. With all the hub-bub over the new (2001) Tim Burton "reimagination" of this film (which in my opinion was a huge let down)... I would have thought this particular DVD would've had more to offer in the way of extra goodies... not so. This DVD will give you the 112 minute film in necessary widescreen format, a photo gallery, & trailer(s). No interviews, deleted scenes or behind the scenes simian stuff at all. Too bad. This is a great movie and essential in most any library of classic films.

Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!
When Franklin J. Schaffner's brilliant science-fiction masterpiece was released to audiences in 1968, the world was still in a sense of uncertainty at just what the future would hold in store. With Cold War paranoia still running high in the United States, PLANET OF THE APES ingeniously incorporated the fears of society with the popular concept of space exploration to come up with a film that's still relevant now more than ever. Politics aside, the original PLANET OF THE APES also makes for very entertaining viewing and its timeless appeal is just as enjoyable and fun now as it was over thirty years ago!

The movie starts off with a rather somber and understated prologue with four astronauts going into deep hibernation. Their spaceship crash-lands on a planet some two thousand years into the future, where apes have evolved into the dominant species and the humans are regarded as the animals. To reveal any more about the plot would be unfair, but it's important to note that the intelligent screenplay (co-written by none other than Twilight Zone host/writer Ron Serling) raises some very provocative issues about society, religion, science and law. The absolutely brilliant ending has since become the stuff of legends, and remains one of the instantly-recognizable images in popular culture.

Charlton Heston gives a magnificent and absolutely convincing performance as astronaut George Taylor, and would go on to become a mainstay in post-apocalyptic movies, such as BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE OMEGA MAN, and SOYLENT GREEN. Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter give excellent performances as apes Cornelius and Zira, and Maurice Evans plays his ape protagonist, Dr. Zaius, with just the right amount of contempt to make it work wonderfully! The acting is top notch, the direction is marvelous, and the special effects on the apes are fantastic!

The Digitally Mastered DVD from Twentieth Century Fox is a thing of beauty, and an absolute joy for fans of this film. The film is presented is an absolutely gorgeous 2.35:1 Widescreen format (which is its original aspect ratio). Bonus features include an excellent photo gallery and a series of theatrical trailers for every single one of the films in the series (a nice touch). Essential!

ape
in this one some astronauts are in suspended animation.they come out and go down to some strange planet.charelston heston is in it.whos he?guess that was before my time.the kids will think the apes are funny.i cant tell if its low budget because all those old movies look low budget.it is the best of the set which has many many sequels.it is also better than the tim burton version.the very last scene is very well acted and one of my favorite scenes ever.thee are some chicks about but its hard to tell that they are as sexy as they are through all the grime and dirt from the forest world they live in.its an excellent film.

a brilliant classic
With its excellent performances and tight, smart script written by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson (based on the book by Pierre Boulle), this is a film that stays fresh and interesting even with repeated viewings. Released the same year as "2001: A Space Odyssey", both films are at the top of my "super sci-fi" list, and stack up against the best of what has been released in recent years, which relies more than ever on special effects to tell the story; the effects in "Planet of the Apes" are minimal, and it's the latex make-up that is the marvel, and garnered John Chambers a Special Award at the Oscars for his work, which allows the ape characters full freedom of facial expressions. Oscar nominations went for costume design, and the marvelous score by Jerry Goldsmith.
The cinematography by Leon Shamroy is also fantastic, and I love the aerial descent that starts the film.

Charlton Heston as the astronaut who lands in an "upside down world", and Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall as free thinking scientists are superb, and in smaller roles, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore and James Daly terrific as authority figures in the ape colony.
This film had four sequels, a TV series and a cartoon series, as well as a multitude of merchandise from plastic figurines to bubble gum cards, but the original stays pristine and untarnished by its often silly spin-offs, and is a one-of-a-kind classic.
What this film has, that one can appreciate even when one knows what it is, is that rare thing...a great ending. Very few films leave one with a satisfied feeling at their close, but this one is unique, brilliantly filmed, and like a perfect dessert after a good meal.
Total running time is 112 minutes.

A fundamental sci fi movie
In the authority chain, you may distinguish the clear diference between the apes too.
One spacial navy suddenly falls in a hole time and it's carried hundred years after. The landing in a unknown planet, carries to these man and it shows them a world ruled by apes who dictate its own rules and have established the official story.
The man is under them in the evolutive chain. The men have lost his speaking capacity and they only make gutural sounds. Their state is something less than pitiful.

George Taylor is wounded in his throat and that's why he can not articulate even a single word.
The dramatic sequences in the same point he pronounces the first word,(Do you remember the miracle worker and the wild child?) creates a true revolution among the ape scientist. This behavior are against the rules. The law is the law.(The island of Dr. Moreau)
And so, Taylor is involved in a constant fight for surviving. His friends can not help him anymore , one is dead and the other suffered a lobotomy.
The dramatic ideas exchange between Taylor and the master science of the ape comunity include hilarious bits and obviously undeniable conflicts between the science and the faith. Forget all you learned about Darwin and please watch the mirror image. All the concepts are reverted and so the anguish and the poor human condition is less than zero.
Finally our hero ¿wins? and he can carry Nova his only possibilitie for sow the next human seed generational, but he will find out the astonishing revelation.
Since its release, this film involved just once more the fever for new concepts and ideas. Fahrenheit 451 (1967) and 2001 was released the same year and the world was in a decisive turning point. The man conquers the moon and the screen must be part of this decisive event.
So the people turns back over Asimov, Bradbury, Boulle, Stanoslav Lem and will read over and will find out new universes, bitter nightmares spacials. In a very close state the fifties had a coommon behavior. The ancient films of sci fi were released, and others were remade.We had to expect four years for Solaris directed by Tarkovski in 1972.
In this sense, you can not forget the political behavior in many countries in that age. There were many dictators all around the world , and the figure of the ape was a clear methapor of them.
Undoubtly, you may be find the film , thirty years after, a little bit aged, but the dramatic implications that a nuclear conflict involves, still feed the imagination of many people.
Charlton Heston was a true icon of rthe anti hero in the fifties (with his religious films) and in the sixties (with historical roles), then he would make another war films but keeping always that undeniable majesty for make prevailing the truth, no matter what's the prize you pay.
Sensational direction of Franklin Schaffner and arresting sequences, like the human chase and the scape from the jail (or the concentration camps) .
Another cult movie and the best of its following entries. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Awesome Family movie
This is a great movie for the whole family. I was hooked with in 5 min of watching it. I can watch it over and over again and so do my kids. This is a classic, a must buy, great movie! I just don't know what else to say about it other then it's great!
Five stars for this one. I wish they had this movie on DVD...maybe soon...... Enjoy!

Melbourne, FL. ... Read more