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Beneath The Planet Of The Apes [1970]
![Beneath The Planet Of The Apes [1970]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Z9JNHRYFL._SL160_.jpg)
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OK sequel
Review date: 2008-04-13 Rating: 6 out of 10
The second film in the Planet of the Apes series is a reasonable sequel, but really lacking most of the originals zest and panache. Charlton Heston briefly reprises his role as Taylor, and in fact the opening to the film, is a reprise of the ending of the original, which is the best bit of the film. Heston reappears in the last 15 mins as well.
With the surprise element lost (because of the ending of the first film), the sequel is mostly formulaic and limited to occasional good scenes. But none have the impact of Hestons first words to the Apes, or the impact of finding the Statue of Liberty on the beach in the original film.
The special effects retain the same high standards as the first film for the apes, but the matt paintings used in the underground scenes now look obvious and dated. Brent as played by James Franciscus is effectively a Charlton Heston/Taylor look-a-like except he doesn't have the screen prescence that Heston brought to the Taylor role.
So overall this is a decent film. Its a lot better than some of the later sequels, but not a patch on the original. Buy if cheap, or get it in the boxed set of 'Ape' films if the price is right.
Similar Products
- Escape From The Planet Of The Apes [1971]
- Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes [1972]
- Battle For The Planet Of The Apes [1973]
- The Planet of the Apes Collection (six disc box set) [1968]
- Planet of the Apes -- 35th Anniversary Special Edition (2 discs) [1968]
Reviews
Worship the bomb.
Review date: 2008-01-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
Roddy McDowall was unable to appear in this film as he had commitments elsewhere, you'd think this would have affected the film but with Cornelius only playing a minor role in the film, it doesn't take away from it. Although you can't help but think that Cornelius would've played a bigger part in the film if Roddy had been the man behind the mask.
The film starts by using the famous scene from the first film (undoubtedly one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history) complete with "damn them all to hell" quote. So this film takes place directly after the first one...
...The film is good, but it isn't great. Charlton Heston was only interested in appearing briefly in the film, so a second astronaut (and short-lived third) appears to play a near identical role (Brent) - infact, if you squint - they uncannily similar! You can understand how Zira confuses him for Heston's Taylor.
After a while this turns into an all-out sci-fi fantasy film, complete with mutant humans with superior technology, telepathy, and a massive golden nuclear bomb. It's at this point you start to think that the film has left it's orbit and is hurtling towards something ambitious but pretty implausible. The far-outness doesn't quite spoil the established future from the first film though. The moralistic altruism of Taylor and Brent bring the film to an apocalyptic close - making the chance of another `...Apes' film seem impossible, but thankfully, as we all know, there was a fantastic 3rd film to come as the film franchise continued.
So in a nutshell: This isn't the strongest Planet of The Apes film, but it isn't a poor film. As a standalone sci-fi film it's actually pretty good, but in context with the first it seems slightly out of place as the Mutant human storyline appears to be nothing other than a tool to introduce the working Nuclear bomb, and the philosophy of religion/destruction. The introductory narration by Cornelius (recorded by Roddy McDowall in this case) is one of the greatest openings to a film. It captures the religious spirit which is so prevalent throughout the feature.
"This is it, Zauis...the end of the world!"
Review date: 2005-11-19 Rating: 10 out of 10
Sheer magic. The previous film left with astronaut Taylor hunched in despair in front of the statue of liberty...feeling more lost and alone than ever. This film kicks off from this moment as Taylor and Nova head deeper into the Forbidden Zone...and come across a race of crazed and mutated humans who live beneath the ruins of New York and worship a Doomsday bomb.
Meanwhile, astronaut Brent also crash lands on the planet on a mission to rescue Taylor, but ends up in a similar pickle to Taylor in the previous film - alone and stranded and pursued by the apes.
Having learnt of the potential threat from the mutants, the apes (led by General Ursus and Zauis) send an army into the Forbidden Zone. Apes, mutants and astronauts all battle it out before the Doomsday bomb - the holy weapon - in a stunning climax!
More of the same, only different.
Review date: 2005-08-31 Rating: 6 out of 10
*NO SPOILERS*
Superficially the most similar film in the series to its seminal predecessor, right down to the casting of James Franciscus as a sort of cut-price Charlton Heston, 'Beneath' is in truth merely an adventure movie with some heavy-handed moralising thrown in for good measure. The strain of trying to construct a worthy sequel without the full co-operation of the original's star shows. Roddy McDowall's absence is also keenly felt. When we do find out what is actually beneath the Planet of the Apes, we're treated to some memorable cut-price visuals followed by a pot-pourri of well-worn sci-fi concepts, so cliched to the modern eye as to appear almost comical.
Some poignancy survives in odd moments, however, not least the uncompromising ending, and 'Beneath' stands up as well enough as a simple adventure movie, but the main reason for watching this is really to bridge the gap between the classic original and the powerful third film, 'Escape from the Planet of the Apes'.
It's worth noting that several alternative storylines for a sequel were proposed, some of which might have been better, and are described in detail in Paul Woods's 'Planet of the Apes Chronicles'
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Maurice Evans
Paul Richards
Linda Harrison
Kim Hunter
James Franciscus
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036022835
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-08-22
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 91 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1970
Language: English (Original Language)