BEHIND
THE PLANET OF THE APES (1998)Directors: David Comtois and Kevin Burns
Image Entertainment
BEHIND
THE PLANET OF THE APES (1998)For those like me who have been sickened and infested by the abortion known as Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES, here is a much-needed shot of penicillin to help you come around.
Produced in 1998 for AMC and first issued on DVD in 2000 as part of the PLANET OF THE APES: EVOLUTION boxed set, this fascinating look at the Apes films and their effect on the world was a fan's dream come true. But that was THEN, and this is NOW... this new 2-disc Image release is a more expanded and essential piece of science fiction history that no true APESFAN should be without. Fling your old single disc out the window or list it on eBay; this is a sensational Special Edition that includes the original AMC documentary in its entirety, plus a slew of extras to make you drool. Whether you've seen the new additional material before or not, there still manages to be something new for everyone to behold.
As stated, you first get the 1998 documentary hosted by the late Roddy McDowall, who starred in four of the five feature films as well as the short-lived television series. It's a marvelous history covering all aspects of POTA from its origins as a French novel to its difficult climb onto the big screen, to the APE-CRAZE that went on with television and merchandising . The five movies are discussed and evaluated, with input from actors, directors, producers, and makeup men. The most tantalizing material of all are candid home movies taken on the sets of the films. This was the type of thing you dreamt about but never thought you'd get to see. Well, now there's more....
Disc One includes the two hour documentary and these extras: The FULL screen test featuring Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Zaius; the 1967 N.A.T.O. presentation for the first film; PLANET OF THE APES featurette (1968); "A Look Behind the Planet of the Apes" (1972); Footage of Don Taylor directing ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES; Footage of J. Lee Thompson directing CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES; Theatrical Trailers; and a Production Still Gallery.
Disc Two includes twenty delicious minutes of Outtakes and Dailies from the original PLANET OF THE APES (these are silent but have the soundtrack music added) and a raw, unedited, two hour interview with star Roddy McDowall. Though perhaps a bit excessive at two hours' length, it's a joy to see and hear McDowall (sadly, at the end of his life; he died after the documentary was released) discussing fondly his recollections of being the number one "Apes" celebrity. Newcomers will find his stories interesting (if a bit hazy), while those of us who are already well acquainted with these insights will be happy just to have his memories preserved in this manner forever, and to enjoy going down memory lane with this man who left a deep void in us with his passing in October of 1998.
The picture quality on this release ranges from excellent to good, depending on the source material used. Of course, the main BEHIND THE PLANET OF THE APES documentary looks awesome. The screen test with Edward G. Robinson has been digitally restored, and even the familiar (to collectors) featurettes and "making of" reels have been cleaned up and look nice. The outtakes and dailies from the first film look quite clear and colorful as well, considering how crude one might expect them to be. A grand job all around, and we can only hope we'll soon see as exhaustive an effort bringing all fourteen PLANET OF THE APES television episodes to disc.
So, whether you're an old APESFAN like me or just a beginner, you will have a lot of fun with this slice of sci-fi history. Proof positive that even with "re-imaginings," old soldiers never die. If nothing else, Burton's film did what we wanted it to do: jump-start interest in PLANET OF THE APES. (Joe Lozowsky)