Overview
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970) continues the story of Taylor (Charlton Heston), who has vanished into the Forbidden Zone. A new astronaut, Brent (James Franciscus), is sent on a rescue mission. He crash-lands and encounters Nova (Linda Harrison), a human native, and discovers the ape civilization. Brent eventually finds Taylor’s group and uncovers a hidden race of mutated humans who worship a doomsday bomb.
As tensions rise between the apes and the mutants, Brent and Nova aid Taylor in his quest to destroy the bomb and escape. The film delves into themes of nuclear warfare, religious fanaticism, and the consequences of human hubris. It ends with a cataclysmic finale that sets the stage for subsequent entries in the franchise.
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” maintains the original’s blend of social commentary and science fiction, albeit with darker undertones and a more explicit exploration of human nature and society’s self-destructive tendencies.
| Title | Beneath the Planet of the Apes |
|---|---|
| Release Year | 1970 |
| Director | Ted Post |
| Main Cast | Charlton Heston (Taylor), James Franciscus (Brent), Linda Harrison (Nova) |
| Plot Summary | Continues the story of Taylor, who has disappeared into the Forbidden Zone. New astronaut Brent is sent on a rescue mission, encountering the ape civilization and discovering a hidden race of mutated humans worshipping a doomsday bomb. Tensions rise between the apes and the mutants as they navigate conflicts and attempts to escape. |
| Themes | Nuclear warfare, religious fanaticism, human hubris |
| Tone | Dark, exploring dystopian elements and societal decay |
| Impact | Contributed to the franchise’s exploration of social commentary within a science fiction framework |
| Legacy | Set the stage for subsequent entries in the Planet of the Apes series |
| Director | Ted Post |
Plot of the Movie
In “Beneath the Planet of the Apes,” astronaut Brent is sent on a rescue mission to find Taylor, who has vanished into the Forbidden Zone. Brent crash-lands on the planet and encounters Nova, a human native. Together, they discover a society where apes dominate humans. As Brent searches for Taylor, he uncovers a hidden race of mutated humans who live underground and worship an ancient nuclear bomb capable of destroying the planet.
Brent eventually finds Taylor and his group. They attempt to evade capture by the apes but are forced underground, where they encounter the mutant humans. The mutants possess telepathic abilities and are determined to use the bomb to eradicate both the ape and human civilizations, viewing them as a threat to their survival.
As tensions escalate between the apes and mutants, Brent, Taylor, and Nova devise a plan to stop the mutants and escape. In a climactic showdown, Taylor sacrifices himself to detonate the bomb, wiping out the mutants, the ape city, and seemingly ending all life on the planet.
The film ends with a bleak note as Brent, the sole survivor, realizes the tragic consequences of humanity’s self-destructive tendencies and the futility of their struggle for survival.
Reasons to Watch It
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” offers a dark and thought-provoking continuation of the original story, exploring themes of nuclear warfare and human hubris within a post-apocalyptic dystopian world, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise and enthusiasts of thought-provoking science fiction cinema.
Sequel to a Classic – For fans of the original “Planet of the Apes,” this film offers a continuation of the story, providing further exploration of the dystopian world and its societal dynamics. Exploration of Themes – “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” delves deeper into themes of nuclear warfare, religious fanaticism, and the consequences of human hubris, offering thought-provoking commentary on these issues. Dark and Dystopian Atmosphere – The film presents a dark and atmospheric portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world, filled with tension and suspense, making it a captivating watch for fans of dystopian fiction. Introduction of Mutant Society – The introduction of the mutant society adds a new layer of complexity to the narrative, providing insight into different factions within this world and their motivations. Cinematic Legacy – As part of the iconic “Planet of the Apes” franchise, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” has left a lasting legacy in the science fiction genre, making it a must-watch for cinephiles interested in influential films of the era.
Overall, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” offers an engaging continuation of the original story while expanding upon its themes and introducing new elements, making it a worthwhile watch for both fans of the franchise and those interested in thought-provoking science fiction cinema.
Reasons to Avoid It
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” might be avoided by some due to its deviation from the original, its intense and bleak themes, dated special effects, and potentially controversial elements.
Diverges from the Original – If you’re a purist who appreciates the original “Planet of the Apes” film and prefers not to see deviations from its narrative or tone, this sequel might disappoint. Dark and Intense Themes – The film delves into themes of nuclear warfare, religious fanaticism, and societal decay, which may be unsettling or too intense for some viewers. Bleak Atmosphere – “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” maintains a bleak and dystopian atmosphere throughout, which might not appeal to those seeking lighter or more uplifting entertainment. Limited Special Effects – As a film from the 1970s, the special effects may appear dated or less impressive compared to modern standards, potentially detracting from the viewing experience for some audiences. Potentially Controversial Elements -The exploration of religious themes and the portrayal of mutant societies might be controversial or off-putting to certain viewers, leading them to avoid the film.
Overall, “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” may not be suitable for everyone due to its departure from the original, intense themes, bleak atmosphere, dated effects, and potentially controversial elements.
Critical Response
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” received a mixed critical response, with praise for its continuation of the original story and exploration of themes, but criticism for its departure from the tone of the original and dated special effects.
Positive Aspects – Critics appreciated the film’s continuation of the original story, its exploration of dark and thought-provoking themes, and its contribution to the science fiction genre’s exploration of societal issues. Negative Aspects – Some critics found fault with the film’s departure from the tone and narrative of the original, its bleak atmosphere, and its reliance on dated special effects.
Overall, while “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” has its merits, it also has its detractors, resulting in a mixed critical response.
Key Themes
Key themes in “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” include nuclear warfare, religious fanaticism, human hubris, societal decay, and the struggle for survival in a dystopian world.
Nuclear Warfare: The film explores the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare, as evidenced by the post-apocalyptic world inhabited by the characters. Religious Fanaticism: The mutant humans worship a doomsday bomb, representing religious fanaticism and the dangers of blind devotion to destructive ideologies. Human Hubris: The film portrays humanity’s arrogance and self-destructive tendencies, particularly through the actions of both the apes and the mutants. Societal Decay: The dystopian setting of the film reflects a society in decay, with the remnants of civilization struggling to survive in a hostile environment. Survival and Escape: The characters grapple with the primal instincts of survival and the desire to escape their grim reality, driving much of the plot’s tension and conflict.
Memorable Moments
Memorable moments in “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” include the introduction of the mutant society and their worship of the doomsday bomb, the climactic showdown between the apes and the mutants, Taylor’s sacrifice to destroy the bomb, and the film’s bleak ending, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
The introduction of the mutant society and their worship of the doomsday bomb, highlighting the film’s exploration of religious fanaticism. The climactic showdown between the apes and the mutants, leading to the detonation of the bomb and the destruction of the planet, symbolizing the consequences of human hubris. Taylor’s sacrifice to destroy the bomb, underscoring themes of selflessness and redemption amidst the chaos of the post-apocalyptic world. The film’s bleak ending, as Brent realizes the futility of their struggle for survival, leaving viewers with a haunting and thought-provoking conclusion.
Streaming Platforms
“Beneath the Planet of the Apes” may be available for streaming on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies & TV, YouTube Movies, Vudu, Hulu, HBO Max, and Netflix (availability may vary by region), so viewers should check these platforms for access.
| Streaming Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Amazon Prime Video | Availability may vary, check your region |
| iTunes | Availability may vary, check your region |
| Google Play Movies & TV | Availability may vary, check your region |
| YouTube Movies | Availability may vary, check your region |
| Vudu | Availability may vary, check your region |
| Hulu | Availability may vary, check your region |
| HBO Max | Availability may vary, check your region |
| Netflix | Availability may vary by region |
