Released on February 8th, 1968, Planet of the Apes melded classic sci-fi pulp with speculative pessimism and a hefty dash of Twilight Zone sensibility (the script, written by the great Rod Serling was initially intended to be an episode of the show).
For the last 50 years, it’s carried that ethos into sequels, reboots, and TV shows alike. Thematic seeds planted in the original film have grown and evolved throughout the entire franchise right up to the most recent installment, Planet of the Apes – The Rock Musical Parody by Big Green Cherry.
The creative team behind each installment has taken their liberties with the series’ thesis. Themes of race, class, and morality have found their way into the stories in addition to themes present in the original film.
For 50 years, Planet of the Apes has been at its best when reminding us that amidst the chaos of a cruel world, one in which leaders are corrupt and the end is ever-nigh, the only things that can save us are connection, compassion, and love. Without them, we are doomed to destroy one another, and without them we should.
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