Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)

Nice and entertaining science-fiction movie with a first rate Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter as likable chimpanzees and special intervention of Ricardo Montalban as kindly circus owner who's hidden them from the humans for time . This known story is the third and one of the best of primates sequels ; it starts when through the same time warp , three survivors jumped aside in the last moment by means of a spacial craft from incinerated planet that blew up in the final of ¨Beneath of planet of apes¨ and crash on Earth . There appear three simians Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) , Zira (Kim Hunter ) and Milo (Sal Mineo ). They charm the world and turn mass media celebrities . However , the presidential (William Windom) adviser (Eric Braeden )suspects their dark origin and learn that can be a threat on the downfall of mankind and decides kill them . Later on , at L.A.C. they become the subjects of a relentless pursuit by the CIA and being helped by two doctors (Bradford Dillman and Natalie Trundy who married Arthur P Jacobs and starred various sequels as Zira) .

This is a good sci-fi flick plenty of comedy , suspense, metaphysical significance with thoughtful reflexion about origin of human being and nuclear catastrophe , though also packs action, adventures, intrigue and entertainment. In spite of time and being mostly an amusing follow-up of the former movies , energy remains still and turns out to be an enjoyable sequel full of fantasy and suspense , though with a unsettling and dramatic final . Exciting , clever writing credits by Paul Dehn , though some elements of the screenplay strain credibility to the limit , the imaginative plot is based upon characters created by Pierre Boulle . One of the important attributes of this work are the magnificent acting from the main cast and supporting , Roddy McDowall's distinctive features prove to be recognizable even under marvelous simian make-up . The performers , particularly Kim Hunter who provides the sturdy central pivot the tale surely needs , are pretty good , the superb characters are well drawn and in spite of makeup they are still oddly convincing . Glimmer and luminous cinematography by Joseph Biroc A.S.C who made such a fine job in several films . Phenomenal, creative make-up by John Chambers ,as always , he is a first-rate expert, such as proved in 'Blade runner, Ssss, Island of Dr Moreau' among others . Sensational musical score by top-notch Jerry Goldsmith who composed the classic original score . The picture is well produced by Frank Capra Jr and usual Arthur P. Jacobs , producer of whole saga, and well directed by Don Taylor , using a great visual sense.

It's followed by three inferior sequels that get worse and the impact from original film has perhaps been lessened by these followings as 'Conquest of planet of apes'(72, J. Lee Thompson), in which the Apes turn the tables on the Earth population and Roddy McDowall plays the son of the role he first created ; 'Battle for the planet of apes'(73, J.Lee Thompson) and a TV series , repeating Roddy McDowall again on hand as leader to sustain our anticipation and interest.

Fmovies: This is the 3rd chapter in the McDowell ape films this 1971 film stars Roddy McDowell, Kim Hunter & Bradford Dillman. Roddy McDowell & Kim Hunter continue their roles as Cornelius and Zira in this film they travel to present day at first they are feared and imprisoned but at their court hearing they become sensations where they are taken from the zoo to a 5 star hotel, they are wined and dined and treated like celebrities until Zira falls pregnant then they have to fight for their lives but they have the help of Dillman and his colleague Natalie Trundy. A good entry to the ape saga much better then the 2nd one beneath the planet of the apes but for me the stand-out in the series is the 1968 classic Planet of the apes.

***/*****

ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES is a tale set in the madness of a paranoid 1970's in which zira and cornelius must fight for their lives and the life of their unborn baby. Using taylors ship zira and cornelius time warp to 1970's earth and are embraced by mankind. They soon become the target of a government think tank who fears their unborn child. In a era that listened to HAL LINDSEY scream the anti christ is coming this film taps into that paranoid vein with the "john birchish" character of Hessline who fears ziras baby. The film deals with the two apes dealing with 20th century earth and attempting to survive the scrutiny of the government. One of the best and most original films in the series the story told in this film makes it stand out. A fine film.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes fmovies. Despite a conclusion showing the planet's destruction, 20th Century Fox requested another sequel, turning the films into a franchise.

Arthur P. Jacobs recruited Paul Dehn to a new script with a brief telegram: "Apes exist. Sequel required." Dehn immediately started work on what became the third film titled Escape from the Planet of the Apes. The film would once again change directors, Don Taylor was hired to direct and had a greatly diminished budget of $2.5 million dollars, which required a tight production schedule.

In the film, Zira and Cornelius are initially accepted by American society, but human fears that their child will bring about the destruction they predict to lead to their dates.

Compared to it's predecessors, Escape dwelt more heavily on themes of racial conflict, which became a primary focus through the rest of the series. The film opened on May 21, 1971, less than a year after the previous film and was well received by critics. It also performed really well at the box office, though not as strongly as the first two. Fox ordered a third sequel.

The story is just great, especially after the second film's poor story and the writer did a great job with creating this sequel's story. The direction and action is just amazing and cool. The film is really quick and amazing, but I just ran along with it.

The acting is just amazing in this one and the actors are just amazing. Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall are good in there roles. Natalie Trundy is really good and is fantastic in her role. Bradford Dillman, Ricardo Montalban and Eric Braeden are really good in their new roles and they are fantastic and amazing.

Overall, ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET of the APES is really amazing and fantastic and it is one movie that definitely makes up for the previous film.

8/10.

No, this film is not as awe-inspiring as the original but it still maintains the viewer's interest despite the scaled down approach which was due to budget constraints. For much of the film the there is a humorous tone. Good performances were turned in by familiar faces (Braeden, Montalban, Mineo). The story, despite some holes, was quite riveting. I'm looking forward to the fourth installment. The sense of adventure and exploration (this time by the apes) and the continued presentation of parallels between this fictional world and our world still make for worthwhile viewing. 7/10.

You have Ricardo Montalbon, you have Soap star Eric 'mustache' Breaden, and you have Sal 'Rebel without a Cause' Mineo. How can you go wrong? You have guys in Chimp suits. You have Roddy. You have Kim Hunter from the first flick. It's great.

My chief memory/image of the flick is seeing them, the trio of apes, being given the Star treatment, getting outta a limousine in front of a crowded city street, etc. That is very much a part of the flick. It was made in '71, and yeah it really, really looks it-but ya gotta like it. William Windom as da Prez is pretty cool too, def. a knockoff of hostile Nixon in places I would say.

This sets up the next two fine, though its both better than them and better than #2 in the run also. I think you can do worse than to sit through this.......

**1/2 outta ****