Conquest of the Planet of the Apes Movie Review

This fourth Apes film picks up where the third left off. After a disease brought from outer space kills all Earth's cats and dogs (the Hound found this aspect particularly frightening), humans begin to keep apes as house pets. Because of their intelligence and adaptability, these pets turn into ill-treated slaves governed by the Gestapo-like Ape Control. Caeser (Roddy McDowall) is the son of the super-intelligent time-traveling apes Cornelius (also previously played by McDowall) and Zira. Because of the threat he poses to the human race, Caeser was left hidden in the care of kind-hearted circus owner Armando (Ricardo Montalban) after his parents were killed. Soon Caeser discovers how his fellow apes are being treated, and leads an armed revolt of the apes against their cruel human masters. The references to American slavery are overt, giving the story a powerful message. Still, the film is not heavy handed, and the story pulls viewers along. McDowall delivers a fine performance, especially difficult behind such heavy makeup. Director J. Lee Thompson does a good job handling the large riot scenes. Followed by the final film, Battle for the Planet of the Apes.

1972 (PG) 87m/C Roddy McDowall, Don Murray, Ricardo Montalban, Natalie Trundy, Severn Darden, Hari Rhodes; D: J. Lee Thompson; W: Paul Dehn; C: Bruce Surtees. VHS, Beta, LV FOX