Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) is an American science fiction film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Maurice Evans. It is the fourth and final film in the original Planet of the Apes film series. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future where apes have evolved to be the dominant species on Earth, and humans are their slaves. The film follows the apes as they fight for their survival against a group of humans who are determined to exterminate them.
Director: J. Lee Thompson: The Guns of Navarone (1961), Cape Fear (1962), The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)
Writer: John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington: The Omega Man (1971), Southern Comfort (1975)
Release Date: July 2, 1973
Domestic Box Office: $16.3 million
Top 5 Cast:
- Roddy McDowall as Cornelius
- Kim Hunter as Zira
- Maurice Evans as Dr. Zaius
- Severn Darden as General Aldo
- Lou Wagner as Virdon
“Ape shall not kill ape.” – Dr. Zaius
Critic Reviews:
- Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, calling it “a stylish and violent thriller. Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a stylish and violent thriller that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. The film is beautifully shot and directed, and the performances are all excellent. McDowall, Hunter, and Evans are all in top form, and Darden is particularly good as the villainous General Aldo. Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a must-see film for any fan of science fiction films.”
- Pauline Kael of The New Yorker called the film “a satisfying conclusion to the Planet of the Apes series. Kael praised the film’s ending, which she called “a satisfying conclusion to the Planet of the Apes series.” She also praised the performances of McDowall, Hunter, and Evans, calling them “all in top form.”
- Vincent Canby of The New York Times called the film “a stylish and violent thriller” but found it “to be ultimately unsatisfying. The film is beautifully shot and directed, and the performances are all excellent. But the film never quite comes together, and the ending is ambiguous and unsatisfying.”
- David Denby of New York magazine called the film “a minor classic” and praised McDowall’s performance. “McDowall is particularly good as Cornelius, and he gives a performance that is both moving and powerful. Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a minor classic that is still enjoyable today.”
Cinematic Importance:Â Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a significant film for several reasons. First, it is a well-made and well-acted film that tells a compelling story. Second, it is a groundbreaking film that helped to popularize the science fiction genre. Third, it launched the career of Roddy McDowall, who went on to star in many other films. Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a classic film that is still enjoyed by audiences today.
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