As usual there are spoilers ahead!
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The novel Planet of the Apes was released in 1963 in France by French author Pierre Boulle. In that same year publicist Arthur Jacobs bought the screen rights while he was looking for something "like King Kong".
Five years later in 1968 the film was released with one of the most famous twist endings of cinematic history.
The film is a fun "off-planet" sci-fi adventure story with heavy commentary on societal expectations and standards.
I have two lovely guests to help us understand this sci-fi classic.
John Wills is a Professor of American Media and Culture at the University of Kent. He has written lots about popular culture including his new book Doom Town USA
Phil Nichols is Senior Consultant to the Ray Bradbury Center at Indiana University, and formerly Film & Television course leader at the University of Wolverhampton.
The Scopes trial was a 1925 case in the USA in which a teacher was accused of violating the law by teaching evolution in schools. The trial was set up on purpose to challenge the Butler Act which prevented the teaching of evolution.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Book vs film
03:53 Arthur Jacobs
06:28 From astronaut to animal
11:10 Simian society
15:43 Concepts of civility
20:07 Western vibes
22:39 The Trial
26:40 Race
32:46 1968 USA
39:25 The twist ending
42:34 Liberty in ruins
47:37 Legacy
52:18 The brains behind the ending
53:19 Recommendations
Recommendations
Inherit the Wind (1960)
Soylent Green (1973)
NEXT EPISODE!
Eep! It's finally here. I tried to put it off for as long as I could but the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series will begin next week with a two-part first episode.
The film is available widely. According to Just Watch (where you can find the availability in your region) it is included in the HBO subscription in the USA and Australia. In Canada it's included in the Crave subscription. In the UK it's Prime video and Now Cinema.
But the film can also be bought or rented online from many outlets including Apple, Fandango, Spectrum and Prime. Or you could buy a fancy DVD of it to add to your collection.