BTPOTA - 50TH!

another classic film; 

another milestone 

 BENEATH THE PLANET 

 OF THE APES 

(1969; NOT 1970!) 

In one of the most notable bits of cinematic continuity 

ever seen up until that point - after all the Hammer 

classics of horror and the likes of Charlie Chan, 

Inspector Clouseau and The Thin Man, perhaps - 

reputed actor Charlton Heston agreed to 

make an appearance in this sequel 

to the film adaptation of the Pierre Boulle novel 

that he had starred in just a few years earlier... 

(Because, although it was indisputably crafted 

and produced in 1969, this movie was truly 

released to the world in 1970 - I'll admit...! 

But you'll have to swallow that, POTA, which was 

released in 1968, was really made in... 1967!) 

Heston further cemented his reputation 

as a classical actor - one had been both 

Moses and Ben Hur in legendary productions 

helmed by prestigious directors - 

who was willing to take part in 

science-fiction projects... 

He was a few years away from becoming 

the OMEGA MAN ~ and, as such, he'd  

have fit right into the action in this 

very apocalyptic sequel 

to the Planet of the Apes! 

The soundtrack music was composed masterfully 

by veteran composer Leonard Rosenman 

James Franciscus, as the "replacement hero of service" 

was more than adequate and equal to the task 

of carrying the entire movie on his shoulders 

(the two thirds of it, anyhow) 

But he was quickly relegated to the backdrop 

once Charlton Heston's character makes his appearance; 

and that was quite jarring and disappointing. 

Young movie aficionado me, already quick 

to pick up on those things, had a strange sense 

of déjà vu here; for it reminded me 

of various other franchises/series/properties 

in which the archetypical hero figure 

was that certain type of hero: 

square-jawed, dark, ravenous, brooding 

(and dark-haired, too!) type of guy - 

like James Bond, Matt Helm, Major Mason, 

Tarzan, Green Hornet, James West, 

And whenever there was a blond-haired, 

valiant and noble figure around 

(OK, sometimes he was of another ethnicity; 

other times he was more of a brainy type, 

like Artemus Gordon for example...) 

he always played second-fiddle to the archetype! 

It was so very true on The Man From U.N.C.L.E. 

with Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin. 

And it was true in the realm of super-heroes, 

with Superman and Aquaman... 

And here it was once again: 

with Taylor and Brent on the POTA! 

That was... regrettable. 

Director Ted Post was at fault...? 

The author of the screenplay? 

Producers...? The studio...? 

They were all very understandably grateful 

to Heston for his participation; but giving him 

the central figure spot for the movie's climax 

was not at all what he wanted here...! 

Much like Harrison Ford requested 

in exchange of his participation in 

Star Wars The Force Awakens, 

Charlton Heston wanted to have his character 

promptly killed off for good in this one; 

so he would never have to reprise the role - 

ever again! 

Ironically enough, many years later, 

when a remake was finally put together 

(one that misses the mark considerably 

even though it is more faithful to the 

source material than the original was!) 

Heston would agree to portray one of the 

Simians, this time out...! 

Stepping into the shoes of cast mate 

Maurice Evans, certainly...  

Evans, along with Kim Hunter, 

Linda Harrison and Roddy McDowell 

had all reprised their roles 

for BTPOTA ~ flawlessly! 

The same could not quite be said 

of Heston's second time out as "Taylor"...