Sci-Fi Classic Review: CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972)

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes made the bold decision to highlight issues of urban unrest in the early seventies, and the violent, upsetting subject matter made 20th Century Fox incredibly nervous.
If you're looking for a "review" in the traditional sense, then let me just say I love this film. This video, however, is a "review" in the literal sense (using the Miriam-Webster definition "a retrospective view or survey"), in that I'm going over the history of the film and its place in sci-fi cinema history.
In other words, please stop commenting on how my videos aren't what you consider "reviews."
#POTA #Conquest #ApesWillRise
00:00 Intro
02:20 Synopsis
03:18 Production Background
05:06 Casting
06:42 Filming
08:32 Release & Legacy
09:45 Opinion & Analysis
12:45 Outro
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[@chuckpoore]

I re-watched this movie in the fall of 2019, when I had just bought the Blu Ray set of the whole series (and I had not seen it in decades before that). I was impressed with how bold it was regarding the violence and the scenes of revolution. And I also thought McDowell's performance was great. But I had not actually made the connection in retrospect of how relevant the film still is, after what happened last year. I think your review hits it on the nose. Rampant violence, even to advance a just cause, is ultimately self destructive. And boy, have we seen that in real life. Amazing how prescient this 1972 film turned out to be. Once again, great job on this one!

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

My only regret is not doing this review a year ago!

[@chuckpoore]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek Sometimes, things are best seen and appreciated in retrospect. Last year we were in the middle of it, and today we are seeing the consequences, so maybe now is the right time. Unrelated note: Please do a review on It! The Terror from Beyond Space! One of my favorite lost and unappreciated movies!

[@randybarnett2308]

@@chuckpoore loved that movie, the original Alien!

[@videogeekin]

“ I got to see ‘Planet’ & ‘Beneath’ first run when they were released in Dallas Texas, I was seven years old in 1968. The very best movies were the first two, in my opinion, that I assume was because Rod Serling wrote the screenplay for ‘ Planet of the Apes.”

[@NoMarketMedia]

Remember watching the whole series back on Sci-Fi channel once upon a time. Conquest was absolutely a drastic change from what came before, but it works!

[@joshuariddensdale2126]

Conquest was actually the first one I saw after the first one. So I was a bit confused at first. But it's still my second favorite after the original. And the novelization opens with a scene that was planned but never filmed. Where a chimp attempts to escape from its owner, only to be shot to death.

[@johnmermigas]

Pre title sequence was filmed and cut for violence after the audience decried it. Ugggg. John M.

[@darrensmith6999]

Always liked the Planet of The Apes movies , probably the first is my favourite. I also like the re boots , and the way they handled the Apes increased intelligence made the concept more credible. An blink or you will miss it the segment on a tv in the background in the first re boot of astronauts leaving on a mission! This led me to believe the series was preparing for a future move that might come full circle. Wonder if there will be any more new movies? not heard anything.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

After Disney bought Fox, they promised to continue the series. There have been a few rumors about doing the originally intended follow-up where Bad Ape carries on the legacy of Caesar, but nothing concrete yet. I’m not holding my breath.

[@darrensmith6999]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek Shame it had a great deal of promise ):

[@williamking8033]

Great analysis! Of all of the Apes sequels, I really like "Beneath." It was totally original and thought-provoking.

[@kylecurry577]

I’ve always found this entry in the franchise rather underrated with obviously social commentary. For its time there was excessive violence in the final act. I thought it was well written & acted. That’s impressive to complete a motion picture in just six months. The original ending is spot on & preferable. Yes I agree... a classic & very relevant today. Thank you, great channel!

[@sebastiani2794]

The uncensored version of the movie is my favorite of the apes movie of all time

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

The original ending caused a Watts test audience to cheer. This alarmed the white studio execs. So, they changed it.

[@DjangoBoyland-ec4ou]

Yea go figure😂🤣🤣. From my knowledge this movie is the most popular with black audiences. Wonder why???

[@rsacchi100]

You make a lot of good points. The different ending would have made for a much different sequel, "Battle for the Planet of the Apes", which might have been a good thing. The original ending could have backfired. It's a case of right or wrong being overtaken by events. The "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" scenario in Star Trek.

[@thrashpondopons8348]

My best friend & I were PotA fanatics when I was a kid & we watched this Flic together when it was shown on TV sometime mid 70s-ish. We both loved it! But he had to explain much of the Social Commentary angle to me. Great Stuff TUG! Have a guess on you next topic... but I'll keep it under my helmet!

[@burkepota]

The first is classic and the next 3 are diverse and excellent, and a great example of story telling sequeling. Terrific review.

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

Underrated film.For me the best sequel from the original Planet of the Apes series . A shame they cut the original ending.Pretty bold for the time. Crazy that a lot of Caesar journey mirrors Paul Atreides from Dune.Down to the apocalyptic outcome of their revolt . To think the Apes producer once tried to adapt Dune ...

[@char1737]

I love that the apes and humans has such style and choices filmed at Century City there Was Joseph Margin department store and the Broadway department store

[@paulclarke7571]

Another great instalment! You really do put a lot of time and effort into making these pieces. Keep at it! Your numbers of subs is climbing gradually. I especially like the end text and clips. Way up here in Canada, I really appreciate your work!

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

I know it's frightening, but I like the darker, original ending.

[@videogeekin]

“ I thought of one to add to your list if you like:” The Incredible Two-Headed Transplant(1971). I grew up in the 1960’s & 1970’s .”

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

Is the original cut available on the DVD Blu Ray edition?

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

It's been a long time since I've seen these films, but I remember thinking the end didn't really feed into the sequel very well, while the original ending did.

[@tektoniks_architects]

Agree with you completely....the original, more violent ending was far superior and appropriate to the story vs. the released version. That said, this film was a solid entry in the series.

[@chmeee9562]

Another great review. I love how you add context of the times when the movies are made, almost no other reviewers do this. Movies reflect the culture and movements at the time they are made, and Conquest is a perfect example of this.

[@williamblakehall5566]

I tend to overlook the Natalie Trundy ape getting Caesar to cool down. For me this movie is all about his epic rant, about the end of our world and the rise of their own religion and dynasties. That combined with outright invoking the phrase "the Planet of the Apes" at the very end is for me the true ending of the movie.

[@Malvito]

I love this movie. I am also grateful to the Blu-ray for the restoration of the original cut/ending; I have never been able to go back.

[@forestfishburne7900]

I agree, this was absolutely the smartest(?) of the sequels.

[@errolthomas9426]

After watching the theatrical version of Conquest, I was in for one helluva surprise when I watched it on the Fox Movie Channel

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

I myself wish I could do a “one off” remake of this film. I’m actually sitting here watching ‘Escape From the Planet of the Apes’ as I write this. ‘Conquest’ was an amazing euphemism, for race relations and a totalitarian, elitist regime, replete with black-clad, Jack-booted, violent law enforcement. The many layers of story ‘Escape’ and ‘Conquest’ told were amazing and hold up extremely well today. Movies attempting to convey certain messages SHOULD make you uncomfortable, and there were scenes in both that definitely did. I would love to update it, but keep the story largely the same, not feeling as though I must give it some fancy pants, New Age rewrite.

[@angrycobra523]

You should review Meteor 1979

[@edwardbloecher4563]

Ricardo Montelkhan? LMAO 😂 Well Done! Lol

[@deviantmonkey1]

I was a huge ape fan as a kid bigger then star wars. I won't lie I still think the apes films are better. Conquest is probably the best after the first film , second to escape. The descent of Ceasers character arc in the film from innocent bystander to angry revolutionary is pretty good every scene is not wasted in showing his growing hatred at human brutality . The ending is stellar at least the original.

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

100%!

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

Maybe it's veering a bit too much from the subject, but I've always felt that pop culture had a weird blind spot when it came to urban unrest. I've been playing Aliens: Dark Descent and you handle rioting humans there pretty much the same way the Czar's army did: light 'em up with rifles. Tear gas grenades? Nah, give 'em a whiff of grapeshot. Do they run away when you start dropping them? Nah, they're basically zombies. Not saying the game is a meticulous military sim or anything, but you know nobody said, "We've got Colonial Marines fighting civilians... how might that sort of thing actually play out?"

[@TheUnapologeticGeek]

Whoa 😮

[@JohnWilliamNowak]

@@TheUnapologeticGeek I think the IRC was on to something when they suggested gamers keep within the Geneva Conventions. Well, sort of: that should be directed to the game designers, not the players. Knowledge of the Geneva Conventions and what is and isn't a war crime is painfully lacking; both recent Star Trek and Star Wars have protagonists committing flat-out war crimes, with no suggestion this is a bad thing. Offhand, I think the only genre films that deal with urban unrest scenarios are this one and Soylent Green.

[@MrBiggie6666]

Booo it should have been R rated with the original ending....come on man!

[@holysmoke8439]

I had to bail after the opening j $$ propaganda

[@burkepota]

The first is classic and the next 3 are diverse and excellent, and a great example of story telling sequeling. Terrific review.

[@burkepota]

The first is classic and the next 3 are diverse and excellent, and a great example of story telling sequeling. Terrific review.