I think in the fullness of time (meaning like 25 years) RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES will be one of the few films remembered from 2011, perhaps one of only two or three.
These American films will be remembered and fondly reflected on from 2011:
Martin Scorsese's Hugo Terence Malick's Tree of Life Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive and Rupert Wyatt's Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The "Conquest..." Blu was a revelation...so much more viscious...and that ending!!!
2012 marks the 40th anniversary of CONQUEST, but when I watched it again earlier this summer, I had to watch the theatrical version we've known from 1972. As interesting as the preview version is (if that's the name for it), it seems unfinished. Despite the cop-out of the final in the theatrical version, I still like it's more polished conclusion. Caesar's last (re-dubbed) line, "Tonight we have seen the birth of the planet of the apes!" sent chills down my spine way back when.
The "Conquest..." Blu was a revelation...so much more viscious...and that ending!!!
2012 marks the 40th anniversary of CONQUEST, but when I watched it again earlier this summer, I had to watch the theatrical version we've known from 1972. As interesting as the preview version is (if that's the name for it), it seems unfinished. Despite the cop-out of the final in the theatrical version, I still like it's more polished conclusion. Caesar's last (re-dubbed) line, "Tonight we have seen the birth of the planet of the apes!" sent chills down my spine way back when.
The ending of the theatrical cut - and Caesar's compasion for Breck - certainly does fit in better with Battle. But then the last film always did kind of annoy me about how things were softened up - I wanted the Apes to really hate the humans not forgive them. The original draft screenplay by Paul Dehn was far more imaginative and harder edged.
The "Conquest..." Blu was a revelation...so much more viscious...and that ending!!!
I agree - the look on Caesar's face as the gorillas smash Breck to bits with their rifles is quite something and in line ith the "punch-in-the-gut" endings of rhe three Apes movies that preceeded it.
I don't know about scenes cut from Beneath although one of the first draft screenplays (it went through a lot of drafts!) was to end with humans and apes living in peace with one another (albeit in a future long after Taylor) and John Chambers produced a prototype prosthetic for an ape / human hybrid. Pretty obvious why that concept was ditched although it is pretty suprising the idea got to make-up test stage - surely someone at Fox must have thought the idea of introducing what would have effectively been beastiality into a sequel of one of their biggest hits would not go down well with audiences.
And here is a pic of the test makeup of the hybrid
I don't know about scenes cut from Beneath although one of the first draft screenplays (it went through a lot of drafts!) was to end with humans and apes living in peace with one another (albeit in a future long after Taylor) and John Chambers produced a prototype prosthetic for an ape / human hybrid. Pretty obvious why that concept was ditched although it is pretty suprising the idea got to make-up test stage - surely someone at Fox must have thought the idea of introducing what would have effectively been beastiality into a sequel of one of their biggest hits would not go down well with audiences.
And here is a pic of the test makeup of the hybrid
And this is the "before" picture:
Their lives wouldn't be happy. Gorillas love discipline:
So.....Matt Reeves is confirmed as director for "Dawn...."....this slipped under the radar for me - I knew he was rumoured but didn't realise it had been confirmed a couple of weeks back.
It's such a shame Wyatt isn't coming back, but I'm not disappointed in the choice of Reeves.
So.....Matt Reeves is confirmed as director for "Dawn...."....this slipped under the radar for me - I knew he was rumoured but didn't realise it had been confirmed a couple of weeks back.
It's such a shame Wyatt isn't coming back, but I'm not disappointed in the choice of Reeves.
Anyone else got opinions?
Well, I adored Cloverfield. But I thought Let Me In was drewdfully paced. So its 1 for 1 so far. But I'm really looking forward to Dawn.
Since Rise was esentially Conquest, I'm hoping there will be a real Battle this time around.
Los Angeles Comic Book and Sci-Fi Show Kicks Off 2013 with a Planet of the Apes Celebration
LOS ANGELES COMIC BOOK AND SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION PRESENTS 45th anniversary of PLANET OF THE APES CELEBRATION JANUARY 13, 2013
Los Angeles, CA-The LOS ANGELES COMIC BOOK AND SCIENCE FICTION CONVENTION begins the 36th year of shows on Sunday, January 13, 2013 with a Planet of the Apes Celebration featuring the largest assembly of Stars from the Movie and Television series. 2013 is the 45th Anniversary of the first Classic Planet of the Apes Movie and 40th Anniversary of the last in the series Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
Appearing from Planet of the Apes will be Lou Wagner (Lucias) and Linda Harrison (Nova). Lou’s other credits include starring as Harlan Arliss in CHiPs, Lost in Space, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and currently starring in Fox-TV’s Raising Hope. Linda’s credits include Bracken’s World, Batman and Barnaby Jones.
Appearing from Battle for the Planet of the Apes will be Austin Stoker (Macdonald), France Nuyen (Alma) and Bobby Porter (as Cornelius, son of Cesar played by Roddy McDowell). Austin’s other credits include John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13 and Abby. France’s credits include Star Trek episode Elaan of Troyius, Man From U.N.C.L.E., Kung Fu, I Spy. Bobby’s credits include two episodes of the Planet of the Apes Television series, starring as Andy in Quark, Fantastic Journey and Wizards and Warriors.
Appearing from Planet of the Apes Television series will be Ron Harper (Astronaut Alan Virdon), Booth Colman (Dr. Zaius) and Lee Delano (Malo). Ron’s other credits include the television series Garrison’s Gorillas and Sid and Marty Krofft’s Land of the Lost. Booth’s credits include guest starring in The Outer Limits, The Invaders and many more. Booth celebrates his 90th birthday in 2013. Lee’s credits include the Star Trek episode A Piece of the Action, Mission: Impossible and Charlie’s Angels. All Planet of the Apes Guests will be signing from 11:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M. and while there is a fee for an autograph it includes a choice of photo.
I loved Power Records' Planet of the Apes book and record sets. I still have the musical underscore and dialogue burned inside my memory for all time. Battle for the Planet of the Apes being my favorite. It should also be noted that Power's rendition of "Escape" does not spare that film's depressing ending.
The guy who voices Caesar also voiced Captain Kirk in Power Records' Star Trek series (also forever burned inside my memory).
I'm sure most of you are already aware of or even have this book. I bought it a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. It discusses a lot of the topics that have been mentioned in this thread, and includes many interesting photos. Highly recommended to all Apes Fans if you haven't already got it, hopefully for a reasonable price.
I'm sure most of you are already aware of or even have this book. I bought it a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. It discusses a lot of the topics that have been mentioned in this thread, and includes many interesting photos. Highly recommended to all Apes Fans if you haven't already got it, hopefully for a reasonable price.
I have that book. Damned if I can find it for a few years now, though. Great book and it gave me an enormous appreciation for everything Paul Dehn accomplished.
I loved Power Records' Planet of the Apes book and record sets. The guy who voices Caesar also voiced Captain Kirk in Power Records' Star Trek series (also forever burned inside my memory).
"Power records" are the audiosonic equivalent of the Mego products and equally cherrished by me. The "Power records" "Batman" series is enormous fun too. The voices were the same for all three series. It's fun to hear commisionar Gordon being Kirk being Cesar, being a bad guy in Kojak (okay so that's Peter Pan records) etc.
Even the background sounds and music are the same. Oh what a completely stunning miracle it would be to have the original music on CD.
The Kojak voice is quite good with frequent waves of stunningly good.
"Power records" are the audiosonic equivalent of the Mego products and equally cherrished by me. The "Power records" "Batman" series is enormous fun too. The voices were the same for all three series. It's fun to hear commisionar Gordon being Kirk being Cesar, being a bad guy in Kojak (okay so that's Peter Pan records) etc.
Even the background sounds and music are the same. Oh what a completely stunning miracle it would be to have the original music on CD.
The Kojak voice is quite good with frequent waves of stunningly good.
D.S.
Nice that they used the actual Kojak theme there! Heck, even Trek: TAS didn't get to use their original theme...
Agreed on the Mego connection. I remember seeing the Apes figures on the toy shelves circa 1976-77 (maybe as late as '78) but they were "too expensive", according to my mother. And unless I'm conflating two memories, I wanted the POTA toys because they were the same size as Mego's super-hero line but had to "settle" for Star Wars figures instead; I can't be sure.
As for Power and Peter Pan Records, they were as close to getting to see the actual films as I could get in those pre-VCR days (at least in my household). I still have the damn things.
I'm sure most of you are already aware of or even have this book. I bought it a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. It discusses a lot of the topics that have been mentioned in this thread, and includes many interesting photos. Highly recommended to all Apes Fans if you haven't already got it, hopefully for a reasonable price.
Speaking of books, does anyone have Planet of the Apes Collectibles: Unauthorized Guide With Trivia & Values by Christopher Sausville? I saw it briefly at my local comic shop back in the 1990s and would get it if I knew whether or not the photos are reproduced in color.
