Behind the Planet of the Apes

I am no fan of "The making of....whatever" as it invariably tells you nothing and more likely than not, totally wrecks the film itself once you have seen the out-takes or "How they did...."

This is an extremely well put together and interesting look at the original "Apes" series, more so now, having the late Roddy McDowall as narrator. (Roddy you may remember played Caesar!)

Might have been an idea if Tim Burton had watched this before embarking on his pointless re-hash with Mark Wahlberg!

During one of the Sci-Fi channel's many "Planet of the Apes" marathons, I caught this little making-of special that covers the various "Apes" movies. I thought it was an intriguing look at the first movie franchise to really milk the cow dry. Good narration by the late Roddy McDowall, good film series (the first three, anyway...), worth a watch if this happens to pop up on TV again.

This is an excellent look at how the five Planet of the Apes films as well as the television series and the animated cartoon. It also was sad too knowing that this was probably one of the last projects that Roddy McDowell worked on before he died. However, the main thing I did enjoy about this documentary was the original test footage featuring Edward G. Robinson as Zaius and a young James Brolin as Cornelius. Also, I was fascinated by some of the interesting behind the scenes tidbits that it showed. This is a great documentary about one of the most enduring film series in motion picture history.

I will always love these franchise retrospectives, especially when they're this meticulous and affectionate. This was a perfect way to cap off my watch-through of the original series, serving as a reminder of all of there is to love in the Apes universe.

This has to be the best movie franchise documentary I've seen in many years.

When I rented this DVD from the library yesterday, I thought it was only about the making of 'THE ORIGINAL' 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie...but, it's much, much more than that.

This brings you through the ORIGINAL 1968 "Planet of the Apes" movie, but, also through the entire "Planet of the Apes" movie trilogy -

1. "Planet of the Apes" (1968);

2. "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970);

3. "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971);

4. "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes: (1972);

and,

5. "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (1973);

The documentary also focuses on the live-action television series -

"Planet of the Apes" (1974);

and, the animated television series -

"Return to the Planet of the Apes" (1975)...

as well as the merchandising of the toys and accessories children my age once had but later sold for pennies in a 1980-1990 tag sale and is now worth a small fortune on eBay!?!?

If "Star Trek" fans are called 'Trekkies,' it's only fair that "Planet of the Apes" fans are called 'Apeies!?!?' I suppose I'm both! :)

This is a MONUMENTAL DOCUMENTARY that highlights one of the greatest movie franchises of all time! Whether you're familiar with and like "The Planet of the Apes" in any way, shape, or, form; or, you're a newcomer who's interested in seeing what it's all about...this documentary is exactly for you! :)