Dude, having spent my entire life as a millenial explaining to my peers that the original Planet of the Apes has four sequels, I'm glad that other people have had the same ordeal, based on some of the comments.

The extended (unrated) version of Conquest is absolutely incredible. The extended ending is chilling.

In a series that is alternately campy & bleak, _Escape_ is both the campiest entry of the series & the most soul-crushingly dark.

Conquest is one of the best just for Caesar's final speech. "Where there is fire,there is smoke"

I met Linda Harrison, aka Nova, at a sci-fi convention about 20 years ago. She was still a dream.

The ending of Escape From The Planet Of The Apes was probably the most traumatic media experience I think I experienced as a child when I saw it for the first time sometime in the late 70's on tv

Used to love coming home on a Saturday afternoon to watch the 'Planet of The Apes' tv show. That, Space 1999, The Six MIllion Dollar Man and Dukes of Hazzard to name a view made Saturdays. Happy Days!

BtPotA is my favorite. Mutated, psychic humans worshipping a gold plated nuclear bomb in the forbidden zone is just way too cool of a concept. It over shadows any deficiencies.

My favourite was Beneath. It was the storyline that hooked me . I found it the most interesting to see the remnants of humanity and how they mutated . I found it a fitting end .

I've always been fond of Beneath and find the skinless mutants extremely disturbing- especially in that interogation scene.

Cornelius to Brent: "If you are captured by gorillas, you mustn't speak!" Brent: "What the hell would i have to say to a gorilla??"

Whenever I watch Conquest, I always watch the original cut that has the darker ending. It feels much more natural.

I was like 10 years old when I saw Escape. I cried so hard at the end. And I developed a major crush on Roddy McDowell to this day. Planet and Conquest are my favorites

Back in the late '70s and early '80s, there was a Planet of the Apes movie on TV just about every weekend. I loved them. I also remember watching the live-action TV show, reading the comic books, and playing with the action figures!

I actually like Battle for the Planet of the Apes, expecially the relationship between Caesar and Virgil, but, whenever I watch it, it feels like I am watching a pilot to a television series and not a motion picture.

Ever since I first saw this film in the early 80’s something has ALWAYS bothered me about Cornelius. When you said it wasn’t Roddy Mcdowell my brain exploded. 40 years rattling in my head suddenly silenced. Thanks dude!

As a result of this video I've recently rewatched movies 3,4 & 5 in the Planet of the Apes franchise for the first time since the early 80s. Sequels today are often carbon copies of the original, sometimes even resetting some resolution from the first movie. In contrast each Planet of the Apes sequel is quite distinct. I think this has something to do with their success.

I don't disagree with your assessment on a technical level, but Beneath is still my favourite of the sequels (followed closely by Conquest). First seeing Beneath as a kid, I was utterly fascinated by the idea of mutants worshipping an atomic bomb as their god. I also think they did a great job at creating the very eerie and haunting remains of New York City on such a small budget. Battle is definitely the worst of them, but it's still essential in bringing the series back around to where it started...almost, anyway. It's left open-ended as to whether or not a new timeline has been created that will differ from Zira and Cornelius' timeline, which I thought was a clever little twist. Anyway, great video, really enjoyed it!

The Apes sequels are mostly OK, but my favourite was always Escape, a true "fish out of water" story concerning everyone's favourite ape couple, Cornelius and Zira.

I´m glad that you didn´t rag on "Conquest", like I´ve seen many critics do. To me, it´s one of the most under rated movies of the 70´s and does a great job in diving into how cruel, we as people can become and how little in fact separates us from the brutality of our primal ancestors. It changes the way you see the first three movies too, knowing that this was what the original apes rebelled against and replaced, begging the question of which of the two is worse, when it comes down to it. If they´d left in all of the scenes, that were deemed too disturbing by the censors back then (and would have given it an R-rating, at the least), then it would have been even less clear. Considering how insanely fast these movies were made to cash in as much as possible on the "Ape Craze", while it lasted, it´s a remarkable bit of film making. Great video BTW. There´s not much interesting content on KZfaq about the "Old Series", so it´s nice when we finally get some.

'Battle' is a slog to get through but the dialog between Caesar and Virgil is really good. You could feel a genuine friendship between Roddy McDowall and Paul Williams.

I love the one where Cornelius and Zira escape to our time. It’s so much fun, I love how they become celebrities and go shopping. I kinda wish they made a sitcom out of it and they just lived happily ever after

I was 9 y.o. when the first film came out. The culture was awestruck! In the zeitgeist, we had no strong objections to the sequels, although after the 5th film, everyone kind of recognized the storyline had nowhere else to advance. "Escape" was definitely the best of the sequels but we enjoyed them all.

21:10 It's really weird how Paul Williams is completely recognizable in the ape suit, even though none of the other actors are.

Saw all these at the small theatre my late dad managed back in the 70's..those Saturday matinees will always one of the fondest memories of my younger years.

The first sci-fi/fantasy film franchise. Watched them over and over again on the late movies on local TV.

Still think Conquest is the best of the sequels, with Escape a close second. I loved the character development in these two films. Escape is the most accessible of the films, and I enjoyed the comedy (although they didn't do a good job linking to the backstory of the first film). As for Conquest, the political drama was fascinating. Don Murray (Governor Breck) said he translated his lines into German so he could get into his character -- and it worked; he's fantastic here. The new blurays include the original ending of Conquest (Caesar proclaiming the birth of the Planet of the Apes), which made me realize the theatrical ending (Caesar pleading for peace) was such a copout, but probably inevitable considering the times. My greatest fun with Conquest is the fact that they filmed the whole thing in Century City for that futuristic look, and, as an Angelino, I recognized every scene. Of course, they practically rebuilt the mall since then, and the only thing that's still recognizable is the bridge over Avenue of the Stars where they filmed the final battle. Beneath was trying SO hard to be better than the first and failed miserably. But James Franciscus was no Charlton Heston (if that's a good thing) -- and Roddy McDowell was out because he was directing his first and only film, which ultimately got f*cked by AIP. It simply didn't work. And Battle was just silly - it wanted to be a kid's movie and it had nothing that kept you interested except Roddy McDowell, and all of the character development from Conquest had gone out the window. True, fatherhood does that, but it was just disappointing after the more militant -- and fascinating -- Caesar in Conquest. Although John Huston as the Lawgiver was great, even if it was just an extended cameo, and Severn Darden is so good as a villain. Oh, and I can't stand the new films. I really tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the originals are still the originals. Truthfully, Caesar is a more interesting character in the original films than in the new.

Fantastic. Some really great jokes, delivered with such a dry delivery: 'Like Beatlemania but with apes - though not the Monkees.' I've said it before but I'll say it again, Stam Fine, you're one of the cleverest, funniest internet satirists out there! Seriously well done.

I’m really happy you made this! I never see people talk about these initial sequels. The original is a classic, and the new Matt Reeves trilogy is well-received. So I feel like these (admittedly cheesy) films aren’t brought up. Great video!

I first saw James Franciscus in valley of qwangi great actor. Ceasers speach in conquest is my fave of all.

The military officer on the left at 8:22 is the same actor (Norman Burton) who portrayed the first ape seen on screen in the original (Gorilla hunt leader, close up at 0:33). Mostly seen in small but memorable roles in films like Diamonds are Forever (Felix), The Towering Inferno (Giddings), The Terminal Man (Anders), and others. Burton was a competent and stalwart character actor. RIP.

11:50 It remains possible that after Zaius destroyed the cave at the end of POTA that he may have told Cornelius the truth about human culture as a sort of consulation for the fact that he'd be tried for heresy.

I was both fortunate and unfortunate to have read Pierre Boulle's book first. In the book the apes' world was set in a rough equivalent of late '50s- early '60s culture; the beginning of the space race. The ending is a triple whammy of surprises. Besides writing the original Planet of the Apes he also wrote Bridge on the River Kwai.

Ceasars Conquest speech was FIRE

I saw the original Apes at a drive in when I was too young to understand much except that the apes looked cool. Like most cultural phenomena that we experience as kids, they occupy a special nostalgic place in my memory. It didn't take long for me to grow up enough to appreciate them again in a sometimes ironic, but still heartfelt way.

I actually thought Beneath was a pretty good sequel. I thought they figured out a great way to keep Taylor out of the movie while making the movie ABOUT Taylor. I thought James Franciscus was pretty good. I also remember liking Escape, but the only thing I remember about it is Zira building steps up to a hanging banana and then saying she really didn't like bananas all that much.

Now that Disney owns Fox properties, terrifying new future awaits us in the cinematic Planet of the Apes. More Charlton Heston memes will be needed.

Beneath is a real freak out, a haunting film for sure.

Apes 1: a true classic that remains unmatched by the other movies. Apes 2: it’s a fitting conclusion, but yeah I see how people really hate this one. Apes 3: my personal favorite, such a sad tale of history repeating itself. Apes 4: I really liked this one, but it’s annoying I have to go to KZfaq to watch the original ending instead of the Hopeful ending the dvd has. Apes 5: as a final movie it could’ve been a lot worse, but I think it’s fine and at least ends the saga. Also it has really good actors in it so that’s another plus, and the final battle is pretty dope.

Every time I watch Battle for the Planet of the Apes I like it more and more. Underrated film.

It was released in nineteen sixty-ape? That was smooth.

I think you were a little hard on "beneath" and "Conquest" the second movie I like the fact that Taylor did blow up the Earth ,and Conquest I remember people jumping out of their seats rooting for the Apes to win.

This is my favorite film series despite how inconsistent the quality of writing and the campiness. I love these movies. They got me into practical effects and filmmaking as a whole and I appreciate them for the story they were trying to show instead of milking a cow dry.

The original still holds up very well. Escape most closely resembles the original Pierre Boulle novel with the ape/ human roles reversed ( as mentioned here) but... I have a very nostalgic love for Beneath. I saw it at the tender age of ten. It was my first movie without parental guidance ( my buddy and I took a bus downtown to see it) the philosophy and violent action ( plus the world ending) absolutely blew my pre adolescent mind and hooked me on sci Fi forever (2001 followed hard upon.) I rewatched it lately and find it still has it's as appeal, especially the way it sets up the subterranean human society. And the religious Mass scene for the bomb is still a really batshit crazy scene to watch!

If I had been involved in Beneath and someone suggested James Gregory as the gorilla general, I would have said they were crazy. But actually I think he does a great job.

My two college friends and I watched all the Planet of the Apes movies in one setting at a theater. We fed on popcorn and Butterfingers. Surprisingly, we enjoyed the whole experience and didn't nap or lose interest.

BENEATH is by far my favorite sequel. Aside form the rehash elements, they really did a great with new villains and introducing new elements of PotA. And that ending, LOVE it. The rest of the sequels felt like cheap cash grabs, which they were.

I have a special place for Escape from TP of the Apes. It was the summer and my older sister and her friend wanted to go to the movies and my mom just wanted to be home alone and read her book. She said my sister could go but she had to take me. Of course she made me sit in the other side of the theater by myself. First movie I had ever seen with out a parent. Loved the movie. I actual put the order as 1,2,3,4,5. Also loved the TV show and the cartoon. I even had the playing cards. Didn't care much for the recent ones. Problem is that after 5 movies and a tv show are there new ideas to explore, besides the latest in CGI.

I'm afraid I bloody adored all the Ape movies. Yes the first one is superior, but on the whole I found all of them had something to enjoy, as did the TV series.

i remember watching these as a child and loving all of them. While I do agree with you on them as an adult, I still love them. nostalgia

Conquest and Battle are my fave sequels, especially the directors cuts.

Conquest was SO good. I love rebellion against tyranny so for me Conquest was topnotch. 👍👍👍

"Escape..." was brilliant! Apes became the herow, the ones the spectator would identify with - against the evil humans! Only cinema can do that!

I always assumed that in Escape, the reason Cornelius & Zira knew so much about Ape history was because -- since we already learned that Dr. Zaius knew that Humans were the dominant culture before wiping themselves out -- there must've been some documented record that was passed down through the title holder of Minister of Science and/or Chief Defender of the Faith. They might've asked him to share their knowledge with them in exchange for keeping quiet about their discoveries in the cave. Remember, Zaius originally said they were going to be put on trial for heresy, but when we see them again they're still free. So a deal must've been cut at some point between the first two films. But that's just my theory.

Conquest still my fav. Something about it always stuck with me into adulthood.

I thought Franciscus' work as Brent was quite good, especially during those sequences when he was being mentally controlled. He was fighting it, but it had more power than his will. You could see that inner fight vividly. Not so easy to act.

Even though I was born in the late 90s I managed to watch the originals first before the new Caesar trilogy because I was really bored one day as a kid and my father had them on DVD. I really liked Conquest back then and was quite thrilled in the cinema when I noticed that Rise was basically a remake of that one.

I have always liked these movies more than Star Wars (and Charlton Heston was my first crush as a 11 year old girl in the 90s) so its nice to see someone talking about them :)

The first one and the sequel have the best cliffhanger endings of all time.

I just watched Beneath... the other day. I enjoy all the Ape movies.

i love movies like this mostly for how the camera makes everything look. it would be cool to see this style of cinematography combined with modern cgi. of course with a good story / concept.

Eric Braden is phenomenal as Dr Hasline. Being German he was easily able to put the accent to work amazingly. But he is also amazing as Dr Forbin in Colossus the Forbin Project.

Great video - the original Apes movies remains my favourite ever franchise. Battle is truly not good but all other 4 have so much going for them. Beneath is wildly nihilistic and has way more subtext than it deserves. Conquest is nothing but social commentary but done in a consistent and exciting way. Escape is a fantastic example of resetting a story in way that is true to the previous movies but extends them really well. And it's a gut-punch of an ending too. Great, great films and one of the joys of the modern trilogy is how much they built on the originals. Rise is essentially a remake of Conquest - even right down to Caesar's iconic "No". Great remakes, brilliant originals. Love 'em. thanks again for the very well-considered video.

Growing up I couldn't wait for the next installment! These films were so well done!

As a kid, i loved each of these movies, and their paperback books, with a passion. Thats all that mattered. They are criticize-proof as far as i'm concerned.

I love conquest. I wish you’d touched on the tv series and cartoon in as much detail

The humans in the city in the 5th movie are of course the ancestors of the mutants in the 2nd movie. They even wear similar skullcaps to drop a hint.

I spent my 21'st birthday watching all of these back to back for the first time.... It is alright i went clubbing and pulled after that but wow the day was well spent...

0:33 the way I went back 3 times to makes sure 😂

I always liked the way the original Apes series forms a sort of causality loop with the sequels setting in motion the very events that lead to the first film

Battle for the P of the A is a special movie to me. I remember very well going to see it at the drive-in in ‘72. I was 10 and its been a fond memory my whole life.

Friday night. Nothing to watch... Hang on...Here's another Stam Fine review. 23 minutes and 54 seconds of effortless entertainment! Love your work 😁

#1,2, and 4 are my favorite movies...I couldn't stand the last film.

Conquest is my favorite of all of them.

I love Roddy McDowall....He was extremely talented and in some films at times he was extremely gorgeous.

I too enjoyed most of the Ape movies back then, maybe mostly because I was a kid.

I saw all 5 movies back to back. Each night, I saw one with my brother....and man, they were so bad that we loved talking shit about them 😂 Definitely the weirdest turn of sequels I've ever seen.

As a joke, if I had 4 talking monkeys, I would teach them to sing and play instruments.

I like Beneath.Good sequel

I like The Planet of the Apes because it led to Krieger in Archer getting to say "They Blew it up......."

The original didn't really need any sequels but I've always had a soft spot for Beneath. It's certainly far from perfect but I liked the whole mutant storyline and imagery. Shame about Battle, the series was definitely getting into flogging a dead horse (ape) territory by then.

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes is by far the best movie in the franchise, I think its even better than the first movie...

"I hate every ape I see, from chimpan-a to chimpan-z... " 🎶

I was lucky enough to see both Conquest and Battle in the theater when they were originally released. One of the earliest movies I remember seeing in the theater was Conquest. I think it was the second movie I ever saw in the theater (Snoopy, Come Home was the first). I didn't even get parent's permission to get in. Not only that, it was the 'uncut' version I saw. I remember watching it later on television (usually during Planet of the Apes week WABC 4:30 movie), then VHS/DVD and wondering why the end was different. I began to think I imagined the ending where the gorillas kill the governor with the butt of their rifles until I got the original blu ray set release which included that ending.

Love all the movies especially that tells the story line from beginning to end. In full circle.

Binged these when A&E ran all of them years ago. Enjoyed all of them.

Having grown up with these movies - there was not a whole lot else out there, so we ate these up. However, compared to most of the schlock nowadays, I will take these ape movies anyday. The first movie was amazing. The second was just a tag a long to the first. Escape was an original concept and really enjoyable. Conquest was really good but somewhat dumbed down by the Mothers of America group which was dead set against violence. Finally, Battle was totally rewritten because the original script - which can still be found online - was too gruesome. Having read the original Battle script, the apes were actually starting to experiment on the humans to eliminate their vocal cords. Brutal Mothers of America.

The only detail I wish the original series covered is why the humans can't talk. I assume because they became hunted down by apes and had to focus on silence. Plus possibly radiation after the war. Over time they basically forgot. That's just my theory though.

All these sequels can drive one bananas!

The Donkey Kong score music in the background is very clever!!

I loved all of those movies when I was a kid.

Fun Fact..Heston filmed a brief scene in character to show studios execs that the Ape makeup showed promise and it was iconic actor Edward G Robinson as Dr Zaius like figure. Robinson turned down the role because f his health and the hours it took to do the makeup for the test shot which was less than the final version. Heston only agreed to appear briefly in the second film because he was told it wouldn't happen without but suggest Taylor's fate to those mal by it. Surprisingly he would go on to appear in a parody intro when he hosted SNL as Taylor with cast n crew as Apes making him preform. As well as the reboot before the recent series but as an Orangutan leadey like Dr Zaius. Sorry McDowell couldn't be in the second film due to another commitment but was quite keen to do the other three that follwed. He played Cornelius twice in the first\third film and then as his own son Caesar in Conquest\Battle before the franchise future would be on TV. McDowell would play another Ape on the brief live action series befriending another two human astronauts and Cartoon Series would air as well for a few episodes too. The studio was largely responsible for the suffering films shortcuts because they insisted that each would cost less each time even though they were profitable. Heston would go onto to make a film with Robinson which turned out to be the veteran actor last in Soylent Green and he passed away just soon after his scenes were finished. Fortunately they didn't repeat the pull over mask debacle from the second film going forward but each had it merits as well as social context throughout the first film had when they were filmed...

The first one is unmatched

Many thanks. You brought me back in time. I saw the franchise in the movie theater as a child. The episode of telephathy marked me for life. And even more the scene of crucifixion. What an effect cinema has on us. Congrats for the richness of your analysis.

Bill Bonds who was an actual newscaster (Detroit channel) made this REAL for me as a kid. So I could forget the apes fixing - flying the space ship, even thou in the first film they were in awe of a paper airplane.

I was a kiddo hiding behind sofa when this movie was shown on television at late night.

The original 1968 film is the only film in the original series that I have seen. It’s indeed an all-time sci-fi classic! I’ve also seen all three of the recent Caesar trilogy.

Splendid work again Stam Fine. "Battle for ..." is so poor that I initially thought I had never seen it until your video showed clips from it. When I did see those clips I still couldn't recall much about the movie itself, only the accompanying feeling of boredom and disappointment when I had originally watched it. Now Hollywood seems overrun with the production of creatively exhausted franchises.

Good video, but failed to mention Hanging with Dr Z, the greatest Hollywood talk show of them all.

The 1975 cartoon is spectacular. Urko "I'll get you Blue Eyes" [it's hardly a spoiler to note he never succeeds]😂