Based on the novel 'La Planète des Singes' (trans. ‘Monkey Planet’) by Pierre Boulle, ‘Planet of the Apes’ is one of the most famous and popular movie series of all time. Starring movie icon Charlton Heston, the first film was released in 1968, and immediately proved a massive hit with audiences, with its innovative script, amazing make-up, excellent acting, and arguably one of the best shock endings in cinema history. A sequel, ‘Beneath the Plane of the Apes’ was released in 1970, closely followed by ‘Escape From the Planet of the Apes’, ‘Conquest of the Planet of the Apes’, and ‘Battle For the Planet of the Apes’. (The original was remade in 2001, but despite some excellent production values, it was not met by much critical acclaim by the critics, fans and general movie-goers). In 1975, a ‘Planet of the Apes’ television series debuted, which charted the adventures of astronauts Alan Virdon and Pete Burke, and their ape friend, Galen. However, the show was met by a warm reception by audiences, and only lasted for fourteen episodes.

The following year, the ape saga was taken up once more, this time in the form of an animated series, ‘Return to the Planet of the Apes’. The premise was almost the same as the movies and television series - astronauts Bill Hudson, Jeff Carter and Judy Franklin lift off in the NASA spacecraft Venturer, but hit a strange warp which takes them one thousand years into the future, to a planet ruled by apes. However, this ape-world is more technologically advanced than those previously seen, showing using cars, airplanes and even visiting movie theatres. Despite the typically low-budget animation that is seen in every 70s production, the series has some interesting ideas, with an overall story arc that ran through all fourteen episodes.


Planet of the Apes - Movies
Planet of the Apes - Season 1
Return to the Planet of the Apes - Season 1

Back to the Databanks Main Page -
where you'll find guides to some of the best cult and classic science fiction and telefantasy programmes ever transmitted!

Legal Bit: 'Planet of the Apes' is a registered trademark of Twentieth Century Fox. The 'Planet of the Apes' logo and all images from the movies and television series are copyright Twentieth Century Fox unless otherwise stated; music is copyright the original composers and producers; no copyright infringement is intended. All specially created images and text are copyright © Clive Banks; please do not use these without my permission. All rights reserved. No profit is made from this website, and any revenue made from using the banner-links featured goes straight back into the costs of maintaining it, which comes out of my own pocket in the first place. No profit advertising is accepted. This website was created purely to entertain and amuse, and any references to persons living, dead, comatose, in suspended animation, not born yet, or a figment of someone's imagination is purely coincidental. All opinions expressed are my own, so there...

You can buy DVDs, books, toys and much more on 'Planet of the Apes' and other classic shows at:

[Homepage] [About Me] [C.V.] [Gallery] [What's New] [Nothing] [FAQ] [Contact Me]