The Planet of the Apes

Because of the sequels and the rather poor television series many of the younger generation write this off as campy fluff when in fact this classic is anything but. Classic. I said it and I mean it. Michael Wilson and the late great Rod Serling did a stunning job adapting Pierre Boulle's novel and the direction of Franklin J. Schaffner is absolutely top drawer. Add stellar performances from the likes of Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall and a score by Jerry Goldsmith ans the result is one of the greatest science-fiction films of the '60s. Aside from the well known and often quoted "lines" POTA supplied it's ending still packs one serious hell of a punch and stands out as one of the all-time greatest shockers. If I were to make one complaint about PLANET OF THE APES it would be not staying faithful to the novel and having all of the humans naked. Sure, it marks the first time Charlton Heston did a nude scen but I certainly wouldn't have minded Linda Harrison running around au' natural for the duration of the picture. The well loved here at Ink Casualty Felix Silla has a cameo as one of the gorilla children as does fellow BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25th CENTURY performer Harry Monty. All of the bells and whistles aside this is a strong piece of sociological import and should be overlooked by none, sci-fan fan or not. This is film making at it's finest.