This final installment in the series may be a bit corny, but it sure as hell does provide us with some action. Humans and apes are again at war, and as a result a lot of stuff explodes, that's pretty much the summary. The usual philosophic remarks are thrown in, but they just work up to the battle the title promised. The action scenes are pretty chaotic but still look good, especially the scene early in the movie where they enter the forbidden zone/undergrond parking lot works out well. By this time the actors knew what they were making and seemed to be loving it, Claude Akins hams it up like crazy. His portrayal of man-hating general Aldo has one dimension, and that dimension is really built to last. We meet Aldo and he's angry, we see him again later and he's angry, and then finally he's well what do you know, angry. His best scene comes near the ending though, you'll know it when you see it. You can say a lot of negative things about this movie, but boring it ain't.
100 Reviews
Why does everyone hate this film?
veryape-887-9139054 January 2014
In my opinion this film is underrated it is not a great film by any means but is better than Beneath The Planet Of The Apes and Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes. This is the fifth and final chapter in the ape saga and in my opinion it didn't disappoint the planet is a desolated place, Ceasar wants apes and humans to live together however ape has the edge over man as leaders and the humans fight back... This film stars Roddy McDowell, Claude Akins & Natalie Trundy this film was directed by J.Lee Thompson i recommend this film even though it has a low rating on IMDb it is an enjoyable film so watch and enjoy THE FINAL CONFRONTATION
***/*****
***/*****
Hail Caesar the King! But Every Caesar has his Brutus
Bogmeister4 June 2006
A point raised by Caesar's enemy, Kolp (Darden in a mustache-twirling snidely elegant turn at maddened villainy), in this 5th and final Apes film. But a king usually has more than one enemy, as Caesar finds, to his grief. A predictable and mostly logical follow-up to the previous "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes," this one, like "Beneath the Planet of the Apes," stresses sci-fi action rather than any deep themes related to slavery or culture shock. Several years after a nuclear war, we find a surprisingly peaceful yet primitive village occupied by both apes and humans, governed by chimp Caesar (McDowall), who began a revolution in the previous film, as a young radical. Now much older - either about 10 or 30 years older, depending on various sources - he projects a benign fatherly personality. It's not quite paradise: though not the slaves as apes were previously, humans have shifted to 2nd-class citizens, despite an image of equality, and tension escalates due to local bully gorilla Aldo (Akins - 'call me by my proper rank, General, huh!'). Then Caesar himself opens the door to other possible problems by visiting a nearby nuked city (obviously the same one from the previous film). There, the human governor from "Conquest..." has been replaced by his security chief, Kolp, who was bad enough as 2nd in command - now he's bored just sifting through the rubble with his few mutated followers - time to work off the doldrums and teach a clever ape how to show respect.
This entry is generally regarded as the worst of the 5 films, if most fans had to pick one, but it's not a complete waste by comparison. There really is a battle at the end, a mini-war between the invading mutants and the village - but then the final confrontation between Caesar & Aldo is slow going. This film is almost like a precursor to all of those post holocaust sci-fi pieces in the eighties ("Steel Dawn," etc.). The biggest weakness is that nothing really new is added to the saga. The new character, Virgil (Williams), for example, is a genius orangutan, but he's a retread of the genius chimp from "Escape..." What this film does, really, is bring things full circle for the 5-film saga, though not in a very creative way. As with the previous film, "Conquest...", events that should occur over the course of decades or centuries are depicted in the span of days. The filmmakers got all the old costumes from the first 3 films out of mothballs and outfitted the apes here the same way, against logic. The mutated humans from the bombed out city are the ancestors of the mutants we've seen in "Beneath..." - they even show the alpha-omega bomb which, though almost detonated here, remains as is until it supposedly destroys everything in two millennium. However, a prologue and epilogue set about 600 years from now with the orangutan Lawgiver (Huston) shows that the future is not set, so now we're left guessing. This movie was followed by the short lived TV series, which took place about a thousand years in the future.
This entry is generally regarded as the worst of the 5 films, if most fans had to pick one, but it's not a complete waste by comparison. There really is a battle at the end, a mini-war between the invading mutants and the village - but then the final confrontation between Caesar & Aldo is slow going. This film is almost like a precursor to all of those post holocaust sci-fi pieces in the eighties ("Steel Dawn," etc.). The biggest weakness is that nothing really new is added to the saga. The new character, Virgil (Williams), for example, is a genius orangutan, but he's a retread of the genius chimp from "Escape..." What this film does, really, is bring things full circle for the 5-film saga, though not in a very creative way. As with the previous film, "Conquest...", events that should occur over the course of decades or centuries are depicted in the span of days. The filmmakers got all the old costumes from the first 3 films out of mothballs and outfitted the apes here the same way, against logic. The mutated humans from the bombed out city are the ancestors of the mutants we've seen in "Beneath..." - they even show the alpha-omega bomb which, though almost detonated here, remains as is until it supposedly destroys everything in two millennium. However, a prologue and epilogue set about 600 years from now with the orangutan Lawgiver (Huston) shows that the future is not set, so now we're left guessing. This movie was followed by the short lived TV series, which took place about a thousand years in the future.
A review from North America, 2004 A.D.
lemon99323 May 2004
So the final entry in the Planet of the Apes series takes liberties with the timeline and the plot wanders through other prior installments, but I feel the movie delivers a degree of pathos seldom seen in a sequel. The bookend scenes involving the Lawgiver, John Huston in heavy make up, speaking to a group of schoolchildren--apes and humans--tie up the saga nicely, leaving open the future for more sequels.(Tim Burton in his dreadful remake should have filled in the blanks instead of "reimagining" a different world of apes. Only my opinion.) Things I like include the character Mandemus, keeper of the armory(Caesar's conscience), the trek to the radioactive city, Caesar's viewing of his dead parents in the Hall of Records and the final ambiguous shot of the movie. The money allocated to Leonard Rosenman's impressive score was well spent. The pop singer Paul Williams display a deft touch for acting in his debut. Try and catch this screen gem on Fox Movie Channel and you will be treated to additional scenes involving the always looming doomsday bomb. And special praise to J.Lee Thompson for delivering more with less.
Weakest Ape Film
gavin69425 October 2017
One decade after a worldwide series of ape revolutions and a brutal nuclear war among humans, Caesar must protect survivors of both species from an insidious human cult and a militant ape faction alike.
Screenwriters John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington were brought in after the success of their film "The Omega Man", although prior to that neither one of them had written any science fiction films and, indeed, Joyce Carrington later admitted they had never seen any of the Apes films prior to being hired to write the script for "Battle".
Roger Ebert gave the film a negative review, stating, "Battle looks like the last gasp of a dying series, a movie made simply to wring the dollars out of any remaining ape fans." As usual, Ebert is spot on. This feels nothing like an "Apes" movie at all, and the continuity starts to get a little strange. Even ignoring the paradox of the time loop, there is no explanation of how the apes became able to speak and so forth. If Caesar had a mate and this was 500 years in the future it might make sense, but apes simply do not have the ability to speak!
Screenwriters John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington were brought in after the success of their film "The Omega Man", although prior to that neither one of them had written any science fiction films and, indeed, Joyce Carrington later admitted they had never seen any of the Apes films prior to being hired to write the script for "Battle".
Roger Ebert gave the film a negative review, stating, "Battle looks like the last gasp of a dying series, a movie made simply to wring the dollars out of any remaining ape fans." As usual, Ebert is spot on. This feels nothing like an "Apes" movie at all, and the continuity starts to get a little strange. Even ignoring the paradox of the time loop, there is no explanation of how the apes became able to speak and so forth. If Caesar had a mate and this was 500 years in the future it might make sense, but apes simply do not have the ability to speak!
It's the end of the series as we know it (and I feel okay about it)
dfranzen7028 May 2019
The last of the original series takes place a decade or so after its predecessor. There's an Ape City, run by Caesar, the benevolent ruler played by Roddy McDowall, and its human denizens are servants to their simian cousins. Caesar's aide tells him of a place in the Forbidden City, now decimated by nuclear strikes, where video footage of Caesar's parents exists. Caesar has no memories of his parents, who were killed when he was a baby, so he, his aide, and the wise Virgil (Paul Williams) travel to the city and encounter a band of now-mutated humans who live in some squalor and are led by Kolp (Severn Darden). Kolp, learning of the apes' arrival, decides to launch a preemptive strike on Ape City to exterminate them all. Meanwhile, there's dissension among the apes - particularly, the combative General Aldo (Claude Akins), who wants to take over because he likes making war and being the Man. Anyway, the movie isn't as good as those earlier in the series, but it's passable. McDowall is very good, and in fact the ape costumes are still top notch. This is a fitting coda to the series.
It was the right time for them to end this (very good, all in all) series
r96sk27 February 2022
A limp way for the original franchise to finish.
Its predecessor, 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes', was a weak entry too but remained watchable, though 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' kinda straddles the other side as it's uninteresting. I didn't dislike it and it is very short at around 82 minutes, which helps. Roddy McDowall is the pick of the cast, though even his performance feels weary at this point.
A 'strong' 2½* rating from me, if such a thing exists. It was the right time for them to end this (very good, all in all) series.
Its predecessor, 'Conquest of the Planet of the Apes', was a weak entry too but remained watchable, though 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' kinda straddles the other side as it's uninteresting. I didn't dislike it and it is very short at around 82 minutes, which helps. Roddy McDowall is the pick of the cast, though even his performance feels weary at this point.
A 'strong' 2½* rating from me, if such a thing exists. It was the right time for them to end this (very good, all in all) series.
Ape-ocalypse now.
Hey_Sweden30 May 2017
This fifth and final entry in the initial theatrical "Apes" series is the weakest of the bunch. It seems as if it was limited by budgetary considerations. After "Conquest" set up the rise of the simians, this story is rather small in its scale, focusing on one ape / human community, the woodsy "Ape City", that doesn't seem to have that many residents. The apes and the people peaceably co-exist, but trouble is on the horizon. First, ape leader Caesar (the always great Roddy McDowall) decides on an expedition to the "Forbidden City" to seek out audio and video of his long deceased parents, incurring the wrath of humans suffering radiation sickness. Second, a fanatical, aggressive gorilla general, Aldo (Claude Akins), is just itching to start something.
Even at its worst, this series was never completely without interest, and this entry does have some good dialogue and moments. It also has some pretty decent action sequences towards the end, with lots of gunfire (but virtually no gore) and lots of explosions. Unfortunately, story author Paul Dehn and screenwriters John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington just couldn't come up with a tale that was particularly compelling. Still, director J. Lee Thompson, who'd also directed "Conquest", keeps things watchable and reasonably entertaining. The main value lies in the performances of old pros like McDowall and Akins. They're ably supported by Lew Ayres, Paul Williams, Natalie Trundy (who was in four of the "Apes" films), Severn Darden (as the crazed villain, Governor Kolp), Austin Stoker (who plays the brother of the Hari Rhodes character in "Conquest"), France Nuyen, and Paul Stevens. A young John Landis has an acting role as one of the apes; the great actor-filmmaker John Huston appears in wraparound segments as the wise old Lawgiver.
Watchable for its duration, but it has to rate as something of a disappointment.
Available in both a theatrical version and an extended version which runs about 10 minutes longer.
Followed by a TV series.
Six out of 10.
Even at its worst, this series was never completely without interest, and this entry does have some good dialogue and moments. It also has some pretty decent action sequences towards the end, with lots of gunfire (but virtually no gore) and lots of explosions. Unfortunately, story author Paul Dehn and screenwriters John William Corrington and Joyce Hooper Corrington just couldn't come up with a tale that was particularly compelling. Still, director J. Lee Thompson, who'd also directed "Conquest", keeps things watchable and reasonably entertaining. The main value lies in the performances of old pros like McDowall and Akins. They're ably supported by Lew Ayres, Paul Williams, Natalie Trundy (who was in four of the "Apes" films), Severn Darden (as the crazed villain, Governor Kolp), Austin Stoker (who plays the brother of the Hari Rhodes character in "Conquest"), France Nuyen, and Paul Stevens. A young John Landis has an acting role as one of the apes; the great actor-filmmaker John Huston appears in wraparound segments as the wise old Lawgiver.
Watchable for its duration, but it has to rate as something of a disappointment.
Available in both a theatrical version and an extended version which runs about 10 minutes longer.
Followed by a TV series.
Six out of 10.
Wish The Series Could Have Ended On A Higher Note
zkonedog5 March 2017
After the thrilling conclusion to "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes", it seemed as if the Apes tale had come full circle. Yet, for whatever reason, a final sequel was made on a shoe-string budget, featuring a plot that, while still interesting, was not worthy to end such an epic series. Sadly, then, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" sends the series out with a whimper, not a bang.
For a basic plot summary, "Battle" sees a society some years down the road where Caesar (Roddy McDowell) rules a rather primitive Ape City. Humans are basically just workers in this society, yet are treated generally kindly by Caesar. As usual, however, gorilla General Aldo (Claude Akins) proves to be a war-monger who challenges the "ape must not kill ape" supreme law. When a pocket of human survivors (after the fallout of their first usage of nuclear weapons against the apes) decide to challenge Ape City in one final duel, the future of human/ape relations lies in the balance.
There are many people who think that "Battle" is a terrible entry into this series and not even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the others. I won't go so far as to say that. It is easily the weakest sequel, but that isn't to say that it doesn't have some redeeming value. McDowell gives another marvelous performance as Caesar, while the "ape politics" stuff is pretty good as well.
The trouble with "Battle", however, is that it is just so cheaply made. Whereas the other films had an "epic" feel to them, this one (right from the very beginning) seems not so much a labor of love as just a plain labor. There are no interesting visuals, the cinematography is dark/bleak, and the plot is stretched thin even with just an hour-and-a-half runtime. Like many other reviewers have said, "Battle" seems like a TV pilot more than something one is used to seeing up on the big screen.
Thus, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" is a very conflicted film. It deals with many vital themes central to the "Apes" canon, yet at the same time does not provide nearly the type of heading that Ape-heads (the only ones watching by this point) were looking for. Watch it for what it is, but expect to be let down after the emotional high of "Conquest".
For a basic plot summary, "Battle" sees a society some years down the road where Caesar (Roddy McDowell) rules a rather primitive Ape City. Humans are basically just workers in this society, yet are treated generally kindly by Caesar. As usual, however, gorilla General Aldo (Claude Akins) proves to be a war-monger who challenges the "ape must not kill ape" supreme law. When a pocket of human survivors (after the fallout of their first usage of nuclear weapons against the apes) decide to challenge Ape City in one final duel, the future of human/ape relations lies in the balance.
There are many people who think that "Battle" is a terrible entry into this series and not even worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the others. I won't go so far as to say that. It is easily the weakest sequel, but that isn't to say that it doesn't have some redeeming value. McDowell gives another marvelous performance as Caesar, while the "ape politics" stuff is pretty good as well.
The trouble with "Battle", however, is that it is just so cheaply made. Whereas the other films had an "epic" feel to them, this one (right from the very beginning) seems not so much a labor of love as just a plain labor. There are no interesting visuals, the cinematography is dark/bleak, and the plot is stretched thin even with just an hour-and-a-half runtime. Like many other reviewers have said, "Battle" seems like a TV pilot more than something one is used to seeing up on the big screen.
Thus, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" is a very conflicted film. It deals with many vital themes central to the "Apes" canon, yet at the same time does not provide nearly the type of heading that Ape-heads (the only ones watching by this point) were looking for. Watch it for what it is, but expect to be let down after the emotional high of "Conquest".
Least of the series....but still enjoyable
mord393 October 2000
MORD39 RATING: **1/2 out of ****
For starters, it's true that this film is the least in the series. But it's still enjoyable and it's got values (something we could really use these days).
The missing scenes involving the nuclear missile were essential to the intelligence of the film; without them, it suffers. I'm basing my review on the full, uncut edition (as a major APES addict, I have it). If there is a real problem with BATTLE, it's mostly due to the lack of a great story and new blood. Each of the previous films gave us some kind of new direction to explore, whereas this fifth movie is more of a rehash.
I disagree about the casting of Paul Williams as Virgil. I mean, was that guy born to play an orangutan or what!? Similarily, I think Claude Akins as gorilla general Aldo was also an inspired piece of casting.
BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES should be a film anyone can enjoy somewhat, and especially by someone claiming to be a fan of the series. Can anyone tell me what film series has an exceptional fifth chapter?
For starters, it's true that this film is the least in the series. But it's still enjoyable and it's got values (something we could really use these days).
The missing scenes involving the nuclear missile were essential to the intelligence of the film; without them, it suffers. I'm basing my review on the full, uncut edition (as a major APES addict, I have it). If there is a real problem with BATTLE, it's mostly due to the lack of a great story and new blood. Each of the previous films gave us some kind of new direction to explore, whereas this fifth movie is more of a rehash.
I disagree about the casting of Paul Williams as Virgil. I mean, was that guy born to play an orangutan or what!? Similarily, I think Claude Akins as gorilla general Aldo was also an inspired piece of casting.
BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES should be a film anyone can enjoy somewhat, and especially by someone claiming to be a fan of the series. Can anyone tell me what film series has an exceptional fifth chapter?
Last and lackluster sequel in which mutant humans battle the simians led by Caesar
ma-cortes22 October 2010
Again the Apes along with an underground civilization of mutated human beings living on remains of a nuclear catastrophe . Average and stirring science-fiction movie with a first rate Roddy McDowall and special intervention of John Huston as the Lawgiver who literally disappears in the beginning and re-appears on the ending . This known story is the last and inferior of the primates sequels ; it starts on a culture where simians rule over humans and they are divided in three lineage : gorilla , chimpanzee and orangutan . Humanity has gone awry and Earth has been reduced to a wasteland . Militaristic General Aldo (Claude Akins) wishes humans to be treated as animal of burden and regarded as scum . A couple of chimps formed by the chief Caesar( Roddy McDowall) and his wife Lisa (Natalie Trundy replacing the usual Kim Hunter) think otherwise and even agree a peaceful existence with humans .Caesar is son of Cornelius and Zira from ¨Escape from the planet of apes¨ and was the leader in the ¨Conquest of the Planet of the apes¨ Caesar attempts to ease disputes between apes and men . Meanwhile, an expedition commanded by Caesar , Virgil (Paul Williams) and MacDonald (Austin Stoker ) sets out the forbidden zone where live human mutants ( Seven Darden, France Nuyen among them) who survived a nuclear explosion several years before . The group finds an underground civilization in the ruins of a bomb-blasted city and the battle begins . Meantime , mean gorilla Aldo is itching a coup de état and take over from Caesar and murder every human in sight . At the ending happens a spectacular confrontation between a human army ruled by governor Kolp and the simians commanded by Caesar .
This is an average , lackluster sci-fi flick plenty of metaphysical significance with thoughtful reflexion about origin of human being , racism , atomic danger and nuclear catastrophe , though also packs action, adventures, intrigue and entertainment. The performers , particularly Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy and Claude Akins are pretty good , the characters are well drawn and in spite of makeup they are still oddly convincing . In spite of time and being mostly a mediocre follow-up of the former stories , some moments of energy remain and turns out to be a B movie full of action, battles and suspense . Writing credits by habitual Paul Dehn from Pierre Boulle novel , however his screenplay is not just clever and was cut , eliminating the violent scenes and obligated to happy end . Acceptable production design with passable sets and great visual effects by means of matte paintings reflecting the ruined city inhabited by mutant survivors . One of the important attributes of this work, is the magnificent and luminous cinematography by Richard H. Kline . Phenomenal make-up by John Chambers, a first-rate expert, such as proved in 'Blade runner, Ssss, Island of Dr Moreau' among others . Sensational musical score by a top-notch Leonard Rosenman though imitating sounds from the great Jerry Goldsmith .The picture is lack budgeted by usual Arthur P. Jacobs , producer of whole saga, in his last film because he suffered a stroke . It's regularly directed by J. Lee Thompson , using sometimes a nice visual sense. It's followed by a short-lived TV series, again with Roddy McDowall .
This is an average , lackluster sci-fi flick plenty of metaphysical significance with thoughtful reflexion about origin of human being , racism , atomic danger and nuclear catastrophe , though also packs action, adventures, intrigue and entertainment. The performers , particularly Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy and Claude Akins are pretty good , the characters are well drawn and in spite of makeup they are still oddly convincing . In spite of time and being mostly a mediocre follow-up of the former stories , some moments of energy remain and turns out to be a B movie full of action, battles and suspense . Writing credits by habitual Paul Dehn from Pierre Boulle novel , however his screenplay is not just clever and was cut , eliminating the violent scenes and obligated to happy end . Acceptable production design with passable sets and great visual effects by means of matte paintings reflecting the ruined city inhabited by mutant survivors . One of the important attributes of this work, is the magnificent and luminous cinematography by Richard H. Kline . Phenomenal make-up by John Chambers, a first-rate expert, such as proved in 'Blade runner, Ssss, Island of Dr Moreau' among others . Sensational musical score by a top-notch Leonard Rosenman though imitating sounds from the great Jerry Goldsmith .The picture is lack budgeted by usual Arthur P. Jacobs , producer of whole saga, in his last film because he suffered a stroke . It's regularly directed by J. Lee Thompson , using sometimes a nice visual sense. It's followed by a short-lived TV series, again with Roddy McDowall .
Better than "Escape from..."
pmtelefon29 December 2018
"Battle for the Planet of Apes" is not the worst of the original five. It's obviously not the best. However, it is a satisfying watch for me. It pulls very high on the nostalgia scale. I grew up watching the original five. "Battle..." is not a lazy effort. It's just a kind of low budget one. It's a pretty ambitious movie (as were the previous four "Apes" movies). It deals with some serious subjects. The clash of cultures, the rule of law and militarism. Maybe the actual battle is a bit of a letdown but I think that more to do with the budget than anything else. As far as the entire series goes; I rank "Battle..." ahead of "Escape..." but behind the others.
The final scene will have YOU weeping with regret!
rfrenzel200221 January 2008
Horrible. What exactly gets this disaster started? There's a conversation that goes something like this: "Hey, Caesar. You wanna see and hear what your mother and father used to look and sound like? There's a forbidden city not too far from here that has an archive, and in that archive is some footage of your mom and pop doing some interviews and stuff. Wanna check it out?" Caesar: "Cool, let's go!" And it's all downhill from there. Two major cities less than a days ride apart and no one knows that the other exists or is populated? Give me a break. When the forbidden city "army" came rolling out of their ruins in an old dilapidated school bus and a couple of jeeps left over from the old Rat Patrol series I just about keeled over in hysterics. Did those cool goggles, man. I suffered so much brain damage from this film that I find it difficult to continue. An "armory" made of sticks "protected" by an elderly ape who administers logic tests to separate the riff raff from the honest weapon seeking populace? A mutant club whose only requirement is that you have a scar? Any scar. Anywhere. Any size. And don't forget those ruby goggles. When the mutants first open fire on a pair of apes it reminded me of something out of Monty Python. The shell explodes right between the two guys who are about 6 feet apart and when the smoke clears they're still standing! A quick follow up shot takes care of those pesky apes for good. The battle, such as it is, is a dismal failure. More of a squad of soldiers trying to secure a choke point than a battle for a planet. Things do go boom, there's some dirt flying in the air and a lot of extras running around screaming but that's about it. There's an extremely heavy handed comeuppance of a murderous ape and even a weeping statue at the end but not one shred of redemption for the time you just wasted watching this piece of trash. I can only wonder why Roddy McDowall agreed to participate in this tragedy unless he was forced to do so under contract with penalty of execution by firing squad if he refused. Here's a suggestion: Grab your kid's dolls, dress 'em up like apes and make your own final ape movie. It's gotta be better than this.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) ***
JoeKarlosi16 February 2005
Here is the final chapter in the PLANET OF THE APES series, and it's one of the most unjustly maligned sequels in film history. Sure, it's easily the least of the five movies, but it's still entertaining and has something to say, which is a quality that's usually missing with most fifth entries of a long franchise, and definitely in science fiction films in general these days.
It's now some years after the events of CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, and we learn that much has happened in the interim; most importantly, man must have pushed a panic button during the subsequent ape wars, as much of the Earth (or at least the North American section of it) has become radioactive wasteland, thanks to the detonation of some kind of bomb. BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES centers on one small community of survivors - who are not necessarily supposed to be considered "the entire world population," as so many detractors mistake when they like to condemn its small budget - but just a relatively modest group of apes and humans in one specific area who try to re-build their lives in peace. Can it ever be done?
Roddy McDowall returns as Caesar, who is more benevolent than he was in CONQUEST, but still has trouble completely trusting humans at this point in time - and even, as he grows to learn, some apes! Probably due to that plague that befell the world decades ago, the simians are still increasing in speech and intelligence at an incredible rate. While apes are the dominant species in this particular neighborhood, humans are treated with at least a moderate amount of respect, except by self-appointed gorilla general Aldo (Claude Akins), who would prefer to exterminate all of mankind instead of tolerating them.
There's still a point to the series, although by now it has reached the level of repetition -- "will man and ape ever be able to survive together as equals"? Not only do Aldo and his gorillas despise the humans of their own village, but a group of mutated human survivors from the old city are still alive and vow to wage war on Caesar's tranquil little town. It should also be noted that there was a very poignant subplot originally filmed which involved the mutants and their devotion to an Alpha/Omega bomb (making these beings the likely ancestors of the ones we'd later see in BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES). Without these scenes, the film isn't as intelligent as it might have otherwise been, and as of this writing the footage has only been made available on a Japanese laserdisc.
I think the casting was wonderful this time around. I mean, was Claude Akins perfect for a gorilla general or what? And Paul Williams was a natural for his part as Virgil, the wise little orangutan. John Huston as the Lawgiver and Lew Ayres as Mandemus were also interesting choices.
Yes, again the money was still tight for this chapter, so those expecting a huge blown-out, full scale war should be advised that it's more along the lines of ... well, a "battle". The movie is supposed to take place in a barren, scantily populated wasteland; why so much more money was thought to be needed under those circumstances is beyond me.
As a big fan of the APES films, I waited almost 30 years for Twentieth Century-Fox to revisit this series. There were still plenty of possibilities that could have been explored: what other forms of life and civilizations still existed in other locations throughout America? Whatever happened to apes and people over in the other countries? Apparently, none of that mattered to Fox. Like many, I guess they just don't "get " this saga. Instead, when they finally got around to making another film it was yet another needless "re-imagining" that was rushed out with no idea as to what made these films so engaging to those who liked them in the first place. *** out of ****
It's now some years after the events of CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, and we learn that much has happened in the interim; most importantly, man must have pushed a panic button during the subsequent ape wars, as much of the Earth (or at least the North American section of it) has become radioactive wasteland, thanks to the detonation of some kind of bomb. BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES centers on one small community of survivors - who are not necessarily supposed to be considered "the entire world population," as so many detractors mistake when they like to condemn its small budget - but just a relatively modest group of apes and humans in one specific area who try to re-build their lives in peace. Can it ever be done?
Roddy McDowall returns as Caesar, who is more benevolent than he was in CONQUEST, but still has trouble completely trusting humans at this point in time - and even, as he grows to learn, some apes! Probably due to that plague that befell the world decades ago, the simians are still increasing in speech and intelligence at an incredible rate. While apes are the dominant species in this particular neighborhood, humans are treated with at least a moderate amount of respect, except by self-appointed gorilla general Aldo (Claude Akins), who would prefer to exterminate all of mankind instead of tolerating them.
There's still a point to the series, although by now it has reached the level of repetition -- "will man and ape ever be able to survive together as equals"? Not only do Aldo and his gorillas despise the humans of their own village, but a group of mutated human survivors from the old city are still alive and vow to wage war on Caesar's tranquil little town. It should also be noted that there was a very poignant subplot originally filmed which involved the mutants and their devotion to an Alpha/Omega bomb (making these beings the likely ancestors of the ones we'd later see in BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES). Without these scenes, the film isn't as intelligent as it might have otherwise been, and as of this writing the footage has only been made available on a Japanese laserdisc.
I think the casting was wonderful this time around. I mean, was Claude Akins perfect for a gorilla general or what? And Paul Williams was a natural for his part as Virgil, the wise little orangutan. John Huston as the Lawgiver and Lew Ayres as Mandemus were also interesting choices.
Yes, again the money was still tight for this chapter, so those expecting a huge blown-out, full scale war should be advised that it's more along the lines of ... well, a "battle". The movie is supposed to take place in a barren, scantily populated wasteland; why so much more money was thought to be needed under those circumstances is beyond me.
As a big fan of the APES films, I waited almost 30 years for Twentieth Century-Fox to revisit this series. There were still plenty of possibilities that could have been explored: what other forms of life and civilizations still existed in other locations throughout America? Whatever happened to apes and people over in the other countries? Apparently, none of that mattered to Fox. Like many, I guess they just don't "get " this saga. Instead, when they finally got around to making another film it was yet another needless "re-imagining" that was rushed out with no idea as to what made these films so engaging to those who liked them in the first place. *** out of ****
Battle for the small village
Hayden-860552 December 2020
With a budget of about 10 pence Roddy McDowall shuffles and monologues throughout this snooze fest, the film has slightly interesting concepts of humans being treated as second-class citizens but not slaves like in the 1968 version but it's just too repetitive and takes so much from the previous films. The underground human mutants is ripped straight out of beneath the planet of the apes and it's even less sensical this time round as this is only meant to be a few years after Conquest.
The action in this was laughable and had no tension to it, the end fight was a massive failure. The best things about this film was General Aldo (a humorous but psychopathic ape) and some of the speeches on morality and treating everyone equally were mildly interesting.
2/10: Just not interesting at all
The action in this was laughable and had no tension to it, the end fight was a massive failure. The best things about this film was General Aldo (a humorous but psychopathic ape) and some of the speeches on morality and treating everyone equally were mildly interesting.
2/10: Just not interesting at all
"All knowledge is for good. Only the use to which you put it can be good or evil."
utgard1422 July 2014
The fifth and final of the original Planet of the Apes series. In between the last film and this one, there's been a nuclear holocaust and the remaining humans are slaves of the apes. Caesar (Roddy McDowall) tries to rule in peace but gorilla General Aldo (Claude Akins) wants to eradicate all humans. While searching the ruins of a city for recordings of his parents, Caesar comes across mutant humans who attack the apes. This leads to inevitable conflict between Caesar and Aldo as to how best to deal with this new threat.
The least of the Apes movies is still quite good. It has solid acting and a script with good ideas, although it crams in a little more than it should. This was such a good series and it is, I believe, under-appreciated. Yes the first movie is widely praised but the sequels are rarely given their due. They're all smart, entertaining movies that tell a very interesting saga.
The least of the Apes movies is still quite good. It has solid acting and a script with good ideas, although it crams in a little more than it should. This was such a good series and it is, I believe, under-appreciated. Yes the first movie is widely praised but the sequels are rarely given their due. They're all smart, entertaining movies that tell a very interesting saga.
Missing 10 minutes crucial for film!
cornelius-710 October 2004
This is a very good film, not anywhere near as good as the first four of the series, but for only one reason. 10 minutes.
The Japanese release of 'Battle' contains an extra 10 minutes of footage that I feel is not only important to the storyline, but it completely changes the feel of the film. Without those crucial 10 minutes of footage, the viewer is thus given a somewhat watered down t.v. series type version of the film, originally done to attract a more younger audience. I personally love this film either way, Trust me, before critisizing 'Battle For The Planet Of The Apes', seek out the Japanese release (I have it on laserdisc) and see for yourself just how different (and better) a decent film can become with only 10 minutes of added storyline.
The Japanese release of 'Battle' contains an extra 10 minutes of footage that I feel is not only important to the storyline, but it completely changes the feel of the film. Without those crucial 10 minutes of footage, the viewer is thus given a somewhat watered down t.v. series type version of the film, originally done to attract a more younger audience. I personally love this film either way, Trust me, before critisizing 'Battle For The Planet Of The Apes', seek out the Japanese release (I have it on laserdisc) and see for yourself just how different (and better) a decent film can become with only 10 minutes of added storyline.
A new simian world
bkoganbing26 August 2013
In this final installment of the Planet Of The Apes quintology, Roddy McDowall has emerged as leader of the Ape civilization and is now trying to create a new simian dominated world. His task not unlike George Washington as our first president. But he's got both human and simian opposition to consider.
Severn Darden leads a race of humans in an underground city to which McDowall goes to find out about his own origins. He's quite mad, suffering the effects of radiation, no doubt human kind went nuclear to stamp out the ape revolt.
On the homefront a militant and thug like gorilla played by Claude Akins is challenging McDowall for leadership of the simians. Akins is a ruthless opponent, but when he breaks the first new simian commandment, that's his downfall.
I have to say I enjoyed seeing both John Huston as the profound lawgiver in the prologue and epilog and Lew Ayres as keeper of the simian armory in heavy ape makeup and costume. Their voices are unmistakable as is Paul Williams playing McDowall's confidante.
Battle For The Planet Of The Apes is a fitting end to a grand set of science fiction films.
Severn Darden leads a race of humans in an underground city to which McDowall goes to find out about his own origins. He's quite mad, suffering the effects of radiation, no doubt human kind went nuclear to stamp out the ape revolt.
On the homefront a militant and thug like gorilla played by Claude Akins is challenging McDowall for leadership of the simians. Akins is a ruthless opponent, but when he breaks the first new simian commandment, that's his downfall.
I have to say I enjoyed seeing both John Huston as the profound lawgiver in the prologue and epilog and Lew Ayres as keeper of the simian armory in heavy ape makeup and costume. Their voices are unmistakable as is Paul Williams playing McDowall's confidante.
Battle For The Planet Of The Apes is a fitting end to a grand set of science fiction films.
Not a bad movie...
dashro314 February 2001
Definitely the weakest in the series...but alas...my favorite. The final human battle to take over what's left of the Earth is good. One major flaw in the actual battle is when the battle starts we see Aldo and his cavalry charge----then we don't see them again until the battle is over...throwing grenades in the bus. I had this film on Super 8 back in the seventies (the color 9 minute version) and it was a favorite of the neighborhood.
and finally "Ape Killed Ape!"
Quinoa198431 December 2007
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a disappointment for what the director doesn't accomplish that he already had so well in his previous installment (the dark veneer is gone, as are any relevant comparisons to the present with any level of satire), and it's the kind of cheese that a little kid will wrap in tiny balls and hurl at the screen whenever it comes upon him to do so. This time it's war! Caesar butts heads with Aldo, a war-monger gorilla with a thick skull and a less than one-sided personality who is reminiscent of the Michael Biehn character in Planet Terror: Give em the guns! Give em ALL the guns! And so, war is waged between the straggling humans and the now powerful apes and gorillas. Will there be a voice of reason?
The plot doesn't have much cohesion except to make it clear that this one will tie up whatever loose ends there needs to be with the first part, just in case anyone really wants to take notice (of course, there are some more than thousands of years in gap space between five and one, but who's counting). In the most crucial scenes in the picture, where the battle is waged harshest and Aldo has to answer for a horrible atrocity, Thompson only films it adequately enough so that it doesn't ring badly on TV. There are some ambitions in the script, even to include the original "Lawgiver", played by none other than the great John Huston. But it's not for much trouble; there's even a lapse of judgment in seeming to put in lots of footage from the PAST films for some reason, which must be attributed to laziness on the writers and editors.
Probably on par, if not maybe a smidgen above, the 2001 remake of POTA, 'Battle' doesn't end with a bang, but with a bunch of bangs that amount to the emotional wallop of a whimper.
The plot doesn't have much cohesion except to make it clear that this one will tie up whatever loose ends there needs to be with the first part, just in case anyone really wants to take notice (of course, there are some more than thousands of years in gap space between five and one, but who's counting). In the most crucial scenes in the picture, where the battle is waged harshest and Aldo has to answer for a horrible atrocity, Thompson only films it adequately enough so that it doesn't ring badly on TV. There are some ambitions in the script, even to include the original "Lawgiver", played by none other than the great John Huston. But it's not for much trouble; there's even a lapse of judgment in seeming to put in lots of footage from the PAST films for some reason, which must be attributed to laziness on the writers and editors.
Probably on par, if not maybe a smidgen above, the 2001 remake of POTA, 'Battle' doesn't end with a bang, but with a bunch of bangs that amount to the emotional wallop of a whimper.
Well it lives up to it's name.
joshi_359231 March 2010
I was neither disappointed or impressed by this film. being the 5th film in a series, naturally my expectations were not too high. Still, the film never really accomplished anything. It basically is just, a battle for the planet of the apes, as the title suggests. The whole question if time can be changed, and if apes Will rule humans (like seen in Planet and Beneath planet of the apes) is raised but never answered. I guess they wanted to have a happy ending, and decided to leave the question unanswered. Undertsndable, since the first two films have a very grim view of the future, but still unanswered sagas can be a little annoying. So for you who simply want to know what happened to Caesare and his "planet of the apes" you won't be disappointed. But for you who want the final question answered; will ape rule man and eventually destroy the planet, well you might be disappointed. All it really does is open the door for your own interpretation of what will happen.
So I give this film a 6/10. It lives up to it's name, but nothing else.
So I give this film a 6/10. It lives up to it's name, but nothing else.
The worst of the original Apes series (but still better than Tim Burton's remake).
BA_Harrison30 December 2019
With Conquest For The Planet Of The Apes setting things up nicely for an epic all-out war between the apes and humans, the fifth and final film in the series - Battle For The Planet Of The Apes - can only be seen as a major disappointment, the small-scale skirmish between Caesar's followers (both ape and human) and the irradiated humans from the nearby forbidden city having 'fail' stamped all over it. No matter who wins, it's impossible to believe that such a minor battle could ever determine the fate of the entire planet.
Not only is the battle itself a let down, but the script in general is deeply flawed. Apparently, over the course of a few years, all chimps, gorillas, and orangutans have developed the ability to talk, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever: I imagine it would take hundreds, if not thousands of years for this to happen. It's also difficult to understand why Governor Kolp and his followers would opt to live in the ruins of a radioactive bombed-out city when there are green pastures and lush forests just a few days away. As for violent hot-head Aldo the gorilla being given the rank of General, what was Caesar thinking?
On a slightly more positive note, Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise) is excellent as wise orangutan Virgil, Roddy McDowell is as good as always as Caesar, and the film does wrap things up neatly by suggesting that an alternate timeline has been created where man and ape can finally live together in harmony.
A possibly-too-generous 4.5/10, rounded down for those really stupid looking hats worn by all of the mutants.
Not only is the battle itself a let down, but the script in general is deeply flawed. Apparently, over the course of a few years, all chimps, gorillas, and orangutans have developed the ability to talk, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever: I imagine it would take hundreds, if not thousands of years for this to happen. It's also difficult to understand why Governor Kolp and his followers would opt to live in the ruins of a radioactive bombed-out city when there are green pastures and lush forests just a few days away. As for violent hot-head Aldo the gorilla being given the rank of General, what was Caesar thinking?
On a slightly more positive note, Paul Williams (Phantom of the Paradise) is excellent as wise orangutan Virgil, Roddy McDowell is as good as always as Caesar, and the film does wrap things up neatly by suggesting that an alternate timeline has been created where man and ape can finally live together in harmony.
A possibly-too-generous 4.5/10, rounded down for those really stupid looking hats worn by all of the mutants.
For a Planet of the Apes fan, it's entertaining at best
phillipmagin9 June 2014
Okay, this film has a lot of problems... obviously. Another example of churning out sequels just for money. But even if it was just for money (it was), the film is still very entertaining for a Planet of the Apes fan. It has the great Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, along with many other famous faces covered behind Ape Masks. The acting is stiff, and the effects are awful, but isn't that what makes this series so much fun? It's something to watch for entertainment. The $1.7 million dollar budget didn't help them, but they tried and that's the important part. The school bus is notorious as an example of the film's minuscule budget. But it's hilarious, and I have to say I love the school bus, despite the silliness. If your not familiar with the series, or have never even seen the movies, I recommend to see them first. Because the average movie goer will not appreciate this Sci-Fi "classic". If your looking for some Oscar quality fare, then check out McDowall in Cleopatra instead. But for now... WATCH THE MOVIE LIKE APES!
Ends Series on a Low Note
minicinema30 July 2008
"Battle for the Planet of the Apes" has a very well deserved reputation as the worst (by far) of the four sequels. It's so, so sad to see this great series reduced to a few people in ape masks running around a tree house.
The plot is boring in its own right and adds nothing to the overall series arc. Even the portentous title is an insult - "Rock Fight for the Village of the Apes" would have been more honest.
This movie could only have been released in the completely cynical hope that some children would be willing to see ANYTHING that seemed to offer a continuation of the series.
The plot is boring in its own right and adds nothing to the overall series arc. Even the portentous title is an insult - "Rock Fight for the Village of the Apes" would have been more honest.
This movie could only have been released in the completely cynical hope that some children would be willing to see ANYTHING that seemed to offer a continuation of the series.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a direct sequel to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
eva3si0n20 August 2022
Battle for the Planet of the Apes is a direct sequel to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. This film completes the original franchise. Logically all films are closed. And although the film is mediocre, and inferior to the first 2 films, it is at least interesting to watch, unlike Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.
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