The Origins of the Franchise

The novel “La Planète des Singes” by Pierre Boulle, published in 1968, is the foundation of the Planet of the Apes franchise. The story revolves around a space mission to Mars, where a group of astronauts crash-land and discover a planet inhabited by intelligent apes. As they navigate this strange new world, they begin to uncover the dark secrets of the ape society and their relationship with nature.

The 1970 film adaptation directed by Franklin J. Schaffner retains the core themes of the novel while introducing some significant changes. The movie focuses on the astronauts’ struggles to survive on a hostile planet and their interactions with the apes, who possess a peculiar understanding of humanity’s place in the universe. The film’s exploration of space travel, planetary colonization, and humanity’s relationship with nature is both thought-provoking and haunting.

The novel’s themes are expertly woven throughout the movie, highlighting the consequences of human actions on the planet and its inhabitants. The apes’ society, built around a peculiar reverence for death, serves as a cautionary tale about humanity’s own destructive tendencies. As the astronauts grapple with their own mortality, they begin to question the morality of their presence on this strange new world.

The film’s success can be attributed to its thought-provoking themes and groundbreaking special effects, which brought the apes to life in a way that captivated audiences worldwide. The 1970 adaptation of “La Planète des Singes” remains a testament to the enduring power of Boulle’s original novel and sets the stage for the franchise’s future explorations of humanity’s relationship with nature and technology.

The Original Trilogy

The original trilogy, consisting of Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), is a thought-provoking exploration of human actions and their consequences on the planet and its inhabitants. Each film builds upon the previous one, revealing the devastating effects of humanity’s destructive tendencies.

In Beneath, we are introduced to a post-apocalyptic world where humans have destroyed themselves through nuclear war, leaving only a few survivors who become stranded on a strange, ape-inhabited planet. The film explores themes of survival and adaptation as the human characters navigate this new environment. However, their actions ultimately lead to catastrophic consequences for both humans and apes.

Escape picks up where Beneath left off, with Cornelius and Zira, two intelligent apes, traveling back in time to prevent the extinction of humanity. This film delves deeper into the moral implications of human actions, as the ape characters grapple with their own identity and purpose. The consequences of their actions are dire, highlighting the destructive nature of humanity.

In Conquest, we see a world where apes have evolved to become intelligent and dominant, while humans are relegated to slavery. This film serves as a commentary on human oppression and exploitation, as well as the dangers of unchecked power. The human characters’ actions are driven by a desire for freedom and equality, but their methods ultimately lead to further chaos. Throughout this trilogy, the consequences of human actions become increasingly dire, leading to a catastrophic future where apes have supplanted humans as the dominant species. This thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s relationship with nature and other living beings serves as a warning about the dangers of unchecked destruction and exploitation.

The Reboot and Revival

In 2001, director Tim Burton rebooted the Planet of the Apes franchise with a new cast of characters and themes. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a spaceship carrying humans crash-lands on a mysterious planet. The human protagonist, Captain Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg), becomes stranded and discovers a society of intelligent apes living in harmony with nature.

The film’s departure from the original story is evident in its focus on themes such as identity, community, and social hierarchy. The apes are no longer depicted as savage and primitive beings, but rather as a sophisticated and cultured species. The human characters are also reimagined, with Captain Davidson serving as a symbol of humanity’s destructive tendencies.

This reboot marks a significant shift in the franchise’s trajectory, introducing a new narrative thread that would be explored further in future films. The film’s success led to the development of a prequel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which explores the origins of the apes’ intelligence and their eventual rise as a dominant species.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) delves into the story of James Franco’s character, Will Rodman, a scientist who inadvertently creates a genetically engineered ape named Caesar. As Caesar grows intelligent and begins to question his place in the world, he becomes the central figure in a rebellion against humanity.

The prequel’s exploration of themes such as identity, community, and social hierarchy is reminiscent of the 2001 reboot. However, the film also introduces new ideas about the consequences of scientific experimentation and the ethics of playing God. The success of Rise of the Planet of the Apes paved the way for further films in the franchise, cementing its place as a modern classic.

The Modern Era

The rebooted franchise continued its momentum with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), directed by Matt Reeves. The film takes place ten years after the Simian Flu outbreak and follows Caesar, now a powerful leader of his ape colony, as he tries to maintain peace between humans and apes in a post-apocalyptic San Francisco. However, the discovery of a damaged nuclear power plant threatens to destroy both species.

The film explores themes of humanity through Caesar’s struggles to balance his ape heritage with his desire for peaceful coexistence with humans. The character’s emotional depth is further emphasized by the tragic loss of his son and the abandonment of his human friend, Malcolm. The apes’ use of sign language to communicate with each other highlights their intelligence and capacity for complex social interactions.

The sequel, War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), continues Caesar’s journey as he seeks revenge against the humans who destroyed his home and family. The film delves deeper into the themes of morality, as Caesar is forced to confront the harsh realities of war and the consequences of his own actions.

The franchise’s exploration of scientific experimentation and its consequences is also a key aspect of these films. The use of genetic engineering in Rise of the Planet of the Apes has led to a new generation of intelligent apes, but this advancement comes at a great cost: the destruction of human society and the loss of innocent lives.

These modern-era films demonstrate the franchise’s ability to evolve while maintaining its core themes and characters. By exploring complex moral dilemmas and the consequences of scientific progress, the Planet of the Apes series continues to captivate audiences with its thought-provoking commentary on what it means to be human.

Viewing Order and Recommendations

When approaching the Planet of the Apes franchise, it’s crucial to consider both the release order and chronological order. While some fans may be tempted to watch the films in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent, this can lead to a disjointed viewing experience.

For new fans or those looking to revisit the series, I recommend starting with the original 1968 film, Planet of the Apes, followed by its sequels Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). These early films establish the core themes of humanity, morality, and the consequences of scientific experimentation.

From there, jump forward to the Tim Burton-directed remake, Planet of the Apes (2001), which offers a fresh take on the franchise. The sequel, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), is a critical turning point in the series, introducing the character of Caesar and setting the stage for the modern era.

  • Watch in release order: 1968, 1970, 1971, 2001, 2011
  • Or watch in chronological order: 2011, 2014, 2017

The latter half of the franchise, including Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), can be watched immediately after Rise of the Planet of the Apes. This viewing order allows viewers to appreciate the character development and story arcs as they unfold.

Ultimately, the key to enjoying the Planet of the Apes franchise is to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to engage with its thought-provoking themes and complex characters. By following this suggested viewing order, fans can experience the series in a way that respects both its historical context and its modern reboot.

In conclusion, the Planet of the Apes franchise is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of exploring complex themes through science fiction. With this guide, you’ll be able to follow the journey of Caesar and his fellow apes as they navigate their way through human history. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the series, this comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge and recommendations needed to fully appreciate the Apes franchise.