Battle for the Planet of the Apes [WS] [Blu-ray]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

The fifth and last of the original series of motion pictures based upon author Pierre Boulle's imaginative novel Monkey Planet, this science fiction film was the least-liked by the series' legion of fans. Roddy McDowall returns as Caesar, the rebellious intelligent chimp of the previous film, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972). Caesar led his brethren in a revolution against their human masters earlier, but humanity has since nearly destroyed itself in a nuclear apocalypse, and survivors are second-class citizens within ape society. Now a beneficent ruler of his people, Caesar encourages a fragile, peaceful coexistence with humans, despite the protests of militaristic gorilla leader General Aldo (Claude Akins). When Caesar learns that recordings of his murdered parents may exist in the Forbidden City, he journeys to the irradiated wasteland with the human MacDonald (Austin Stoker) and the wise orangutan Virgil (Paul Williams). Although Caesar finds what he's looking for, he also attracts unwanted attention: mutant humans who still dwell underground in the devastated war zone follow the search party back home, leading to a climactic battle and Aldo's tragic challenge of Caesar's authority. Suffering greatly due to penny-pinching studio 20th Century Fox's low budget, Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973) is most notable for a cameo by director John Huston as an ape named "The Lawgiver," who appears in a wraparound segment. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (Cinemascope)
• Features:
  • cc
  • Extended and theatrical versions
  • Isolated score track (extended version only)
  • End of an Epic: The Final Battle featurette
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • San Simian Sentinel gallery
  • Interactive pressbook
  • Advertising gallery
  • Behind-the-scenes gallery

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Roddy McDowall - Caesar
       Claude Akins - Aldo
       Natalie Trundy - Lisa
       Severn Darden - Kolp
       Lew Ayres - Mandemus
       John Huston - The Lawgiver
       Andrew Knight - Mutant on Motorcycle

• Director:

  J. Lee Thompson

• Producer:

  Arthur P. Jacobs

• Screenwriter:

  John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington

• Screen Story:

  Paul Dehn

• Cinematographer:

  Richard H. Kline

• Composer (Music Score):

  Leonard Rosenman

• Editor:

  John C. Horger, Alan Jaggs

• Art Director:

  Dale Hennesy

• Associate Producer:

  Frank Capra, Jr.

• Set Designer:

  Robert de Vestel

• Sound/Sound Designer:

  Herman Lewis

• First Assistant Director:

  Ric Rondell