- THE REAL ST. PATRICK— Who was this influential servant of Christ honored by the Irish? What is his TRUE and inspiring story?
- WISDOM— What is it and how can I become wiser?
- PURITY— Why should I save sex for marriage?
- EFFECTIVE RESPONSES— How can I best respond to tough questions from unbelievers?
- Novocaine
- Mufasa: Mickey 17
- Captain America: Brave New World
- Paddington in Peru
- Love Hurts
- Flight Risk
- Wolf Man
- Survive
- A Complete Unknown
- Maria
Matt Damon, American actor, screenwriter, producer, and philanthropist—“Oppenheimer,” “Air,” “The Last Duel,” “The Great Wall,” “The Martian,” “Invictus,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “The Departed,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Green Zone,” “Elysium.” • Faith: Agnosticism • Worldview: Progressive Liberalism (activist)
Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal / She is responsible for all aspects of creative affairs and production for four studios: Universal Television, Universal Content Productions (UCP), NBCUniversal International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studio. —“Russian Doll,” “The Good Place,” “Will & Grace,” “Superstore,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Please take a moment now to pray for these influential people (prayer suggestions).
Planet of the Apes
Reviewed by: Eric Paddon
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | 10 to Adult |
| Genre: | Sci-Fi Adventure Mystery Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 42 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1968 |
| USA Release: |
April 3, 1968 (wide) |
court trial
apes hunting humans
science runs amok
lobotomy
caged humans
class differences
post apocalypse
evolution
creationism
| Featuring |
Charlton Heston … Colonel George Taylor Roddy McDowall … Cornelius Kim Hunter … Dr. Zira Maurice Evans … Dr. Zaius—Minister of Science James Whitmore … President of the Assembly James Daly … Dr. Honorious—Deputy Minister of Justice Linda Harrison … Nova Robert Gunner … Landon See all » |
| Director |
Franklin J. Schaffner |
| Producer |
APJAC Productions Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation Mort Abrahams Arthur P. Jacobs |
| Distributor |
- “Planet of the Apes” (1968)
- “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970)
- “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” (1971)
- “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972)
- Battle for the Planet of the Apes” (1973)
- “Planet of the Apes” (2001 remake)
- “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011)
- “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014)
- “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017)
- “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (2024)
Probably one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made, “Planet Of The Apes” tells the tale of cynical, misanthropic astronaut George Taylor (Charlton Heston) who leaves Earth in search of “something better than man.” Instead, he finds himself 2000 years in the future in a living nightmare on a planet where apes are the dominant being, and humans are savage, mute primitives kept in cages. As he struggles in this world where the concept of an intelligent human is unheard of, Taylor finds himself becoming a defender of his race for the first time, but the end of the movie offers a shocking climax that shatters his newfound faith in humanity and instead vindicates his earlier instincts.
“Planet Of The Apes” is terrific moviemaking, with an outstanding script, direction and score, and magnificent performances. This is Heston’s finest role outside the Biblical epics he’s best noted for, while Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans excell under layers of convincing Oscar®-winning ape makeup in their parts.
The cautionary note for Christians when viewing this movie has to do with a reverse evolution/creation debate that comes up in this movie. The religious apes come across as intolerant bigots, and this can be seen as a hidden slam against the traditional theological Christians of our own world. At the same time though, one should keep in mind that ultimately the instincts of the religious leader, Dr. Zaius are proved right by the film’s climax, and one can perhaps see in the film a cautionary warning to Christians about what the most effective way of defending religious principles should be.
Made in 1968, there is no graphic violence (some mild shootings) or language. There is one “God damn” uttered in this movie, but as Charlton Heston noted in his journal, it was meant as a literal plea for God to bring judgment, and not a profane taking of His name. Apart from that, it is fine sci-fi entertainment for those at least 10-11 and above.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Christian Spotlight reviews are those of the reviewers themselves, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Christian Answers.
