‘Planet of the Apes’ Review: A Timeless Critique of Humanity’s Evolution
Planet of the Apes is more than just a movie; It’s a science fiction landmark, directed in 1968 by Franklin J. Schaffner. The film’s influence have continued to be profound even long after its premiere and still weaves an intricate tapestry of complex themes and creative narratives against a backdrop of social unrest. It faces the existential concerns of human beings with the fear that its era has. Planet of the Apes challenges us to face the truths behind evolution, mankind, and the society that created the world in which we are living today. Read our full Planet of the Apes review below.
Planet of the Apes offers a deceptively simple premise for a motion picture; the film opens with astronaut George Taylor, played by Charlton Heston, who ends up crashing on a remote planet ruled by intelligent apes. The film questions the very nature of evolution, yet by doing so, allows us to ponder the relevance of Darwin’s theory within a world where the advancements of one species often require the demise of another. I couldn’t help but think of how apes were using power over humans and how that is related to our society today. One of the strongest ironies of the movie lies in the way evolution seems to be a form of regression. Here, at the top of evolution is the intelligent ape, able to speak, dress up, and govern society. Humans, on the other hand, are feral and brutish. An inversion of roles is there to challenge audiences on the uncomfortable question of what being ‘evolved’ might mean.
The Darwinian conception of evolution has long been simplified to a rather simple tale of progress — the straight line from primitive to sophisticated. But in Planet of the Apes, that is just knocked upside down, suggesting that technological advance does not accompany any moral or ethical advance. The movie makes it very obvious that the survival of this technologically advanced human civilization in the form of Taylor can only be made possible, and that is by letting his humanity at stake due to a loss of sympathy rather than the lack of intelligence. This is something which the movie fears; that in the name of progress, we are compromising on our very basic form of humanity.
This theme really pays off to real-life incidents in history, where periods with super advancement in technology have been accompanied by much pain of humankind. For example, the Industrial Revolution gave marvelous changes in productivity and innovation but unleashed child labor, worker exploitation, and vast inequalities. Planet of the Apes echoes those historical lessons reminding us that progress measured in terms of innovation often hides the deeper problematics involved.
As I reflect on this film’s representation of an ape society, I have realized how it metaphorically mirrors the human social structure. The hierarchy within the ape society through the governing class represented in Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans), mirror how there often is a concentration of power among a few controlling the societal norms to rule. This hierarchy not only subjugates the mute, primitive human but internalizes conflicts within the apes. The power struggle, the concept of following the traditional method rather than through rationale, and crushing dissent is hauntingly similar to what exists in political landscapes today.
Not only does this characterization of humans as subservient, often savage, and unintelligent present numerous ethical dilemmas about dehumanization and the exercise of oppression justified, but when I saw Taylor’s desperate attempts to assert his humanity, I saw parallels to historical and contemporary issues of racism and classism. In many aspects, the movie can be understood as a reflection of the barbarism that human society manifests in regarding the rights and dignity of the ‘other’. This is especially touching in the context of the civil rights movements of the 1960s, when Planet of the Apes was released. The movie’s imagery and themes can be associated with the struggle against racial discrimination, which is characterized by the oppression of subjugated people who are marginalized and placed at a lower level by society. The stark contrast between the ape leaders and the subjugated humans serves as a critique of the systematic racism that has been with humanity since time immemorial.
With the rising social justice movements all around the globe, Planet of the Apes serves as a film that aptly critiques each and every aspect of discrimination. Its very narrative will caution us about questioning whatever status quo that is depicted. It is a must-question on all our existing biases and social constructs through which inequalities continue to emerge. Such treatment of humans by the apes may, in a metaphorical sense, indicate the racism, sexism, and classism that penetrate our society.
The treatment of mute humans in the film as test subjects or put through cruelty is quite comparable to the dehumanizing nature that has dominated how marginalized groups have been treated throughout history. Similar to the apes that can justify their supremacy by proclaiming superiority, throughout human history, people have rationalized oppressive behavior through warped ideas about racial and social hierarchies. The movie, therefore, becomes a poignant reminder of the consequences of discrimination and the need to realize our common humanity.
Dr. Zaius, the antagonist of the movie, typifies the characteristic of the gatekeeper-person who makes sure the status quo is kept in place not to lose power and influence. He is not willing to learn that humans and apes can live together and it represents how most people will not accept their prejudices and biases. It reminds me of the current debates on systemic racism, climate change, and other pressing issues that demand a change in our values.
While being plunged into the world of Planet of the Apes, this movie raises questions beyond what the nature of evolution itself is but also in the aspect of what qualifies a being as an evolved one. In the day and age we live where everything equates to what makes a man progressive from the newer technology be it of artificial intelligence, genetic mutation, or even a shot to space; this movie obligates us to think whether innovation capacity is the epitome of evolution or if perhaps ethics and compassion are entwined in it too?
The apes, having perhaps evolved intellectually and in the structure of society, raised a very pertinent question about what good this evolution did if it made them oppress others. It is highly resonant in the ongoing debates of today regarding technology and morality. As we grapple with issues such as privacy, surveillance, and environmental degradation, Planet of the Apes acts as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of unchecked pursuit of progress.
I was already spoiled by the film’s ending as it was always discussed through different analysis videos I found online so I was just really looking forward to how it pans out, and even though I am already expecting it, I was still overwhelmed by the impact of its ending which is arguably one of the greatest endings in film history. Taylor’s moment of revelation at the ruins of the Statue of Liberty is both shocking and heart-wrenching. As all of a sudden, the film dawns on audiences that humanity has effectively self-destructed through war and hubris. This twist not only serves to reinforce the central themes of the film but raises it to a poignant commentary on our own trajectory as a species. Many had already stated this over and over through time but his ending needs to be engraved on the Mount Rushmore of the greatest film endings of all time.
In conclusion, Planet of the Apes was a great film that not only breaks free from the science fiction genre but also explores deeper themes about the evolution of society, discrimination, and social hierarchies, reminding us at every point in time, both in the past and present, to think of our humanity. Its message about questioning the true meaning of progress and its accompanying ethical responsibilities rings louder now than ever. I find myself reflecting about this film and sitting back with such importance. For one thing, Planet of the Apes is certainly more than a movie; it is a deeply poignant commentary on what it means to be human that provokes one into thinking twice about definitions that describe evolution and progress. It remains a timeless classic that deserves a place in the pantheon of great films and a discussion in the broader narrative of humanity’s evolution.
Planet of the Apes is directed by Franklin J. Schaffner from a screenplay by Michael Wilson and Rod Serling, loosely based on the 1963 novel by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly, and Linda Harrison.
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