DVD Review: Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971)

DVD Review: Escape From the Planet of the Apes
Star: Roddy McDowell, Kim Hunter
1971, 20th Century Fox. Run Time: 1:47

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The first two movies showed us man’s encounter with the planet of the apes. This time around, it’s the apes encounter with the “planet of the men.” Cornelius and Zira return to Earth after having taken off in Taylor’s salvaged and rebuilt spaceship. The three apes (including the short-lived Dr. Milo) land in Los Angeles and meet up with Drs. Dixon and Brant, two animal psychiatrists who help them to adapt to life on Earth and their new-found celebrity. Dr. Hasslein, the President’s scientific adviser, fears and plots to kill the visitors, or at least kill their soon-to-be-born child.

The apes are taken into custody and interrogated. The question: How did mankind fall and how did the apes rise? Eventually the apes escape their captors and make a run for it. Winding up at Armando’s circus, where Zira gives birth. They move on, hiding in an old shipyard, where they are confronted by Dr. Hasslein.

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This was probably the lowest-budget of the entire series, with only three apes to require makeup and taking place entirely in the present. It does pose some interesting new ideas, especially about time travel and paradoxes, something painfully difficult for most stories to tackle well, but this film does it. Will the baby ape bring about the downfall of mankind, or is that future avoidable? Have the actions in this movie changed that future or caused it? The main thinking point of the movie is the time-travel and paradox question, which is the heart of the plot, and worth trying to wrap your brain around. There is also a brief question of the ethics of animal experimentation, but the film doesn’t really dwell on it.
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Oh, and just to make it clear: Ricardo Montalban single-handedly ensured the destruction of Earth and enslavement of humanity through his act of kindness. Sometimes even the best of intentions lead to disaster. Just sayin!