Planet of the Apes

1968 1 hr 52 min

G

Charlton Heston stars in this sci-fi classic which spawned a franchise lasting more than 50 years. Heston plays an astronaut whose crew crashes on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are oppressed and enslaved. The original PLANET OF THE APES boasts a brilliant script, amazing production design, impressive makeup effects, and one of the most memorable endings in film history.

Composed and arranged by the esteemed Jerry Goldsmith, who boasts over 250 credits in music composition, PLANET OF THE APES revolutionized the scoring of science fiction films through its innovative techniques. This film is recognized as one of the first mainstream productions to feature a score in an avant-garde style. Goldsmith's experimental methods included using the orchestra to replicate the grunting of apes, employing horns without mouthpieces, and integrating unconventional instruments such as hollow bamboo tubes, stainless steel mixing bowls, and anvils to produce distinctive percussive effects. This groundbreaking approach, characterized by its atonal and dissonant qualities, played a crucial role in establishing the film's eerie and otherworldly ambiance. Goldsmith's contribution to this film is regarded as a significant milestone in the history of film music, earning a place at #18 on the AFI’s list of the Top 25 American Film Scores of all time.

Director Franklin J. Schaffner

Cast Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter

Country USA

Language English

Aspect 2.35

More info on IMDB ››