One of the better Planet of the Apes sequels, Escape is more character-driven than the previous films, and more touching as a result. Read critic reviews
Escape From the Planet of the Apes
1971, Sci-fi, 1h 38m
30 Reviews 10,000+ RatingsWhat to know
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Escape From the Planet of the Apes Photos
Movie Info
In this second sequel to "Planet of the Apes," three apes flee their world before it's destroyed, and travel back in time to present-day America. When the humans discover that the trio are intelligent and capable of speech, they treat them as experimental research animals until they attempt to escape.
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Rating: G
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Genre: Sci-fi
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Original Language: English
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Director: Don Taylor
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Producer: Arthur P. Jacobs
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Writer: Paul Dehn
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Release Date (Theaters): wide
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Release Date (Streaming):
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Runtime:
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Distributor: CBS/Fox, 20th Century Fox
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Sound Mix: Mono
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Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)
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View the collection: Planet of the Apes
Cast & Crew
Critic Reviews for Escape From the Planet of the Apes
Audience Reviews for Escape From the Planet of the Apes
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Flipping the plot of the original around works better than I anticipated, that said it does often feel like this was done for budgetary reasons rather than a way to find a fresh direction for the franchise. Ultimately this would have been a better ending for the series than the two movies that followed.
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"Escape From the Planet of the Apes" is the third instalment in the Planet of the Apes saga, and it sure does know how to please fans of the series. After the abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion of the second film, we see that Xera and Cornelious have been sent back in time, giving information to the humans about the inevitable overtaking of the apes. This story is both funny and heartwarming and really makes you feel for these two apes throughout the entire film. It does a wonderful job exploring the differences between humans and apes. The script is well-written, which is funny, because it is helmed by the same writer of the previous instalment, and it is also very well-directed. With a much better story, I really really enjoyed this film.
KJ P Super Reviewer -
I revisited yesterday this movie, after so many years, and I still enjoyed it. This science fiction film directed by Don Taylor, is starring Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman and Ricardo Montalbán. It is the third of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs. If you read my reviews you will know that I didn't particularly like the second Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970), but this one is bringing the series back to the track! The story begins by establishing that three apes-Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo (played by Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Sal Mineo, respectively)-escaped the Earth's destruction by salvaging and repairing the astronaut Taylor's spaceship (which sank in the first movie) and piloting it through the shock wave of Earth's destruction, sending the ship through a time warp. The apes arrive on Earth in 1973, splashing down on the Pacific coast. They are transported to a secluded ward of the Los Angeles Zoo, under the observation of two scientists, Stephanie Branton (Natalie Trundy) and Lewis Dixon (Bradford Dillman). When the apes' power of speech is revealed a special presidential commission is ready for questioning! The interesting thing about this movie is that the plot centres around many social issues of the day including scientific experimentation on animals, nuclear war and government intrusion. It was more a constructive criticism of the society we live in than the chase for the escaped "monkeys". In the latter part of the film regarding the chase for Zira, Cornelius and their son make references to the racial conflicts and a few religious overtones to the story of Jesus - a line of dialogue even has the President comparing the plan to kill an unborn child to the Massacre of the Innocents. While Kim Hunter had to be convinced by the studio to make the previous sequel, she liked the script for Escape from the Planet of the Apes and accepted to work on it, though Hunter also stated that "I was very glad I was killed off" and Zira was not required anymore after that film. The film got the best reviews of the four Planet of the Apes sequels. It was followed by Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. I enjoyed the solid acting, the directing was old fashioned for the action scenes, but that was the sign of the times, the rest was appealing. Jerry Goldsmith was back as a composer of the music and he did what he knows the best possible way. Enjoyable viewing if you are the fan.
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How do you continue a series after you've obliterated the planet in a nuclear holocaust? Escape From the Planet of the Apes. In this third installment of the series Cornelius and Zira find themselves hurled back in time to 1973 and must find their way in American culture. Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter return to reprise their roles and are joined by Ricardo Montalban. While it starts out as a lighthearted comedy, the tone takes a dark and foreboding turn. And in typical Apes fashion, the film asks some challenging, thought-provoking questions while telling a compelling sci-fi drama. Escape From the Planet of the Apes delivers another powerful sci-fi adventure (though it does take a few liberties with the series mythology in order to do so).
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