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"...
Labels: 50TH, Charlton Heston, cinema, commemorative, history, music, Omega Man, soundtracks
posted by Luminous (\ô/) Luciano™ at 6:42 PM
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