The Drifter
Screenwriter
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2019
- Messages
- 1,177
- Real Name
- Jim
Mods, I couldn't find a thread discussing all 5 of the Classic POTA films, so decided to create one. I hope this is OK.
I recently re-watched the 5 Classic POTA films on Blu-ray. This is the first time I've binge-watched these back to back. I got the set about 4 years ago @ Big Lots for an amazing price. This worked out well, since I doubt I would have bought the later films individually.
The PQ & audio for all five films was stellar. Definitely the best presentation I've seen for all 5 films (up to this point).
Note that there are SPOILERS below, but given that these films are all 50+ years old - I don't see the need for SPOILER tags. Some comments:
Planet of the Apes (1968): Superb film, from beginning to end. The confidence that the astronauts initially have when they discover the savage/mute humans was interesting. I.e., the first thought(s) that they will be able to "rule the planet in six months" are almost immediately transformed to horror/fear/shock as the talking Apes on horseback kill/capture them. Not showing the Apes right away (but just being able to hear them, etc.) was extremely effective in building up the suspense.
Interesting late 1960's social commentary re: Taylor telling young Lucius to "not trust anyone over 30" - which was an obvious reference to the popular hippie/youth movement ATT. The film also obviously referenced the civil rights movement ATT, etc.
And, IMHO the iconic "twist" ending re: the Statue of Liberty doesn't really lose any of it's shock value on repeated viewings. This is given that you're experiencing this via Taylor's reaction(s), and his horrified realization that the planet he landed on was Earth in the far future - after an all-out war. I.e., earlier in the film he & the other astronauts thought they had landed in another solar system, far from Earth.
I recently re-watched the 5 Classic POTA films on Blu-ray. This is the first time I've binge-watched these back to back. I got the set about 4 years ago @ Big Lots for an amazing price. This worked out well, since I doubt I would have bought the later films individually.
The PQ & audio for all five films was stellar. Definitely the best presentation I've seen for all 5 films (up to this point).
Note that there are SPOILERS below, but given that these films are all 50+ years old - I don't see the need for SPOILER tags. Some comments:
Planet of the Apes (1968): Superb film, from beginning to end. The confidence that the astronauts initially have when they discover the savage/mute humans was interesting. I.e., the first thought(s) that they will be able to "rule the planet in six months" are almost immediately transformed to horror/fear/shock as the talking Apes on horseback kill/capture them. Not showing the Apes right away (but just being able to hear them, etc.) was extremely effective in building up the suspense.
Interesting late 1960's social commentary re: Taylor telling young Lucius to "not trust anyone over 30" - which was an obvious reference to the popular hippie/youth movement ATT. The film also obviously referenced the civil rights movement ATT, etc.
And, IMHO the iconic "twist" ending re: the Statue of Liberty doesn't really lose any of it's shock value on repeated viewings. This is given that you're experiencing this via Taylor's reaction(s), and his horrified realization that the planet he landed on was Earth in the far future - after an all-out war. I.e., earlier in the film he & the other astronauts thought they had landed in another solar system, far from Earth.