Beneath the Planet of the Apes
by Ted Post
Our Price: $22.46
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Buy Used: from $19.98 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: James Franciscus, Kim Hunter, Linda Harrison, Maurice Evans, Paul RichardsDirector: Ted Post
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Milton R. Krasner
Editor: Marion Rothman
Producer: Arthur P. Jacobs
Producer: Mort Abrahams
Writer: Mort Abrahams
Writer: Paul Dehn
Writer: Pierre Boulle
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, THX, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 95 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-03-28
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Reviews of Beneath the Planet of the Apes
DVD Review: Classic Sci-Fi Adventure with a KILLER Ending
Summary: 5 Stars
Of the five "Planet of the Apes" films only the first one and its sequel "Beneath" are truly great and worthwhile. The three prequels devolve in quality: "Escape from" is decent, "Conquest of" is okay (barely) and "Battle for" is horrible.
"Beneath" (1970) is the only actual sequel, hence, both the original and "Beneath" should be digested as one long story.
THE PLOT: An astronaut, James Franciscus, lands on the ape planet in search of Taylor and his crew. He makes contact with a primitive babe who knew Taylor (Nova, played by Linda Harrison) and then embarks upon a quest to find him -- leading first to the ape city (where he discovers that apes rule the planet) and then to the "forbidden zone," a holocaust-ruined wasteland where psychic mutants dwell underground.
Growing up I always favored "Beneath" above the original. Why? Possibly because "Beneath" has a lot more action (especially toward the end) and the concept of the underground psychic mutants was both eerie and captivating. As an adult, however, I've come to appreciate the original in increasing measure; it's deeper than "Beneath," more intellectual. I now believe that each film has its strengths and weaknesses and they both compliment eachother very well.
Many criticize James Franciscus as a weak Heston (Taylor) clone. Although this complaint holds some validity (Linda Harrison described Franciscus as a smaller version of Charleton Heston) and Heston is indeed inimitable (so don't even try), I personally never had a problem with Franciscus in this film. He does a fine job in the role of the stranded astronaut on a planet of madness. His character, Brent, isn't disillusioned with humanity like Taylor, so he has less of an 'edge' or pizzazz, but Brent is a fine generic 'everyman' that we can all relate to.
All the great main characters in the first film are present in "Beneath." Aside from Nova and Taylor, the story features Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans), Zira (Kim Hunter) and Cornelius. Unfortunately Roddy McDowall wasn't available to play Cornelius so they brought in David Watson for the part, which isn't a problem because you can't tell beneath all that ape make-up and Watson does a splendid job mimicking McDowall.
A new, equally great character is introduced and that is Ursus, the gorilla general, played by James Gregory (remember him from the original Star Trek episode "Dagger of the Mind" as Dr. Adams?). Who could ever forget Ursus' motivational speech "The only good human is a DEAD human!!" ?
[SPOILER ALERT CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE MUTANTS] It is revealed in the story that the psychic mutants are human caricatures who literally worship the doomsday bomb (a bomb capable of destroying the entire planet). Evidently, human beings need something to worship even in a wholly devolved state -- truly, humankind is incurably religious. This may be a negative reflection on dead religion, which is the human attempt to connect with God ('religion' means "to bind back"), but it certainly isn't a negative reflection on biblical Christianity, which concerns God Himself connecting with humanity through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent life-birthing power of the Holy Spirit. In any event, the perverted religious nature of the psychic mutants is nothing less than fascinating (albeit a bit laughable at times, e.g. "the holy fallout"). [END SPOILER]
There are numerous great scenes and images, for example, the gorillas marching in the forbidden zone and the gigantic appearance of the revered ape Lawgiver with a bleeding face, ultimately collapsing into a desert inferno.
Some criticize that the first half of the story is merely an inferior repeat of the first film (astronaut crashlands, discovers that apes rule the planet and ends up in ape city), but -- you know what? -- it was great the first time around, why not experience it again with some slight nuances? (especially since "Beneath" was released 3 YEARS after the original). Hey, I admit that this section of "Beneath" isn't as great as the original, it's even kind of boring (that is, after seeing the first film), but WAIT till Brent and Nova escape ape city and discover the underground lair of the psychic mutants; the film becomes ultra-captivating from then on.
One beef I've always had with "Beneath" is that Leonard Rosenman's blaring score is mediocre compared to Jerry Goldsmith's original. It properly mimics the original but can't cut it. Why didn't they just re-use Goldsmith's score?
On a technical level, "Beneath" isn't nearly as good as the original due to obvious budget limitations. The subpar score is one example; another would be the all-too-obvious pull-over ape masks. But these are fairly minor cavils; they never prevented ME from wholly enjoying the flick. Still, I could see why some would some would view the film as 4/5 Stars or even 3.5/5 Stars for these reasons.
The climax is KILLER -- and I mean that literally -- as Brent ultimately finds Taylor and the gorillas invade the mutants' underground turf. Some great action entails and then... well, I can't give away the ultra-downer ending, can I? Let's just say that it should be appreciated by fans of death-obsessed bands like Type 0 Negative and My Dying Bride.
I always loved the ending; in its own way it's just as great as the climax of the original.
Needless to say, "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" is MANDATORY viewing. I wouldn't even take calls from film fans who don't have "Beneath" in his or her video library and hold it dear.
Description of Beneath the Planet of the Apes
BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - DVD MovieBestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Mr. Popper's PenguinsFOX; Release date: 2011-12-06; DVD
Best price: $11.65
Price in other shops:
Kill ListRelease date: 2012-01-04; Amazon Instant Video; Movie
Best price: $9.99
Planet of the Apes - The Ultimate DVD CollectionFox; Release date: 2006-03-28; DVD
Best price: $119.99
Price in other shops:
Planet of the Apes: The Complete TV SeriesFox; Release date: 2006-10-03; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
The Omega ManWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-15; DVD
Best price: $2.41
Price in other shops:
![Escape from the Planet of the Apes [Blu-ray] Image](/images/Escape-from-the-Planet-of-the-Apes-Blu-ray-B001G7Q15O-X.jpg)
Escape from the Planet of the Apes [Blu-ray]Fox; Release date: 2008-11-04; Blu-ray
Best price: $9.77
Price in other shops:
Planet of the Apes - The EvolutionRelease date: 2001-08-21; DVD
Best price: $48.49
Price in other shops:
Conquest of the Planet of the ApesFox; Release date: 2006-03-28; DVD
Best price: $24.99
Escape from the Planet of the ApesFox; Release date: 2006-03-28; DVD
Best price: $15.90
Planet of the ApesPlanet; Release date: 2006-03-28; DVD
Best price: $7.23
Price in other shops: