THE BIZARRE WORLD YOU MET IN PLANET OF THE APES WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING… WHAT LIES BENEATH MAY BE THE END!

Considering its brilliant ending, Planet of the Apes (1968) is hardly a film that cries out for a sequel, but here it is, continuing right where the original shockingly left off.

The theme of nuclear war is obvious in this story about mutated humans who dwell in the remains of the New York City subway; there’s also a new astronaut (James Franciscus) crash landing on the planet, running into talking apes and being captured.

At times the social criticism comes across  as a little too contemporary (hippie chimps becomes dated awfully fast), but it’s OK entertainment. 

1970-U.S. 95 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Ted Post. Cast: James Franciscus (John Brent), Kim Hunter (Zira), Maurice Evans (Dr. Zaius), Linda Harrison, Charlton Heston, Victor Buono. 

Trivia: Franklin J. Schaffner was offered to direct; Orson Welles was considered for a role. Followed by Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971).