Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) - Full Reaction

This was the only competent sequel from originals. People will tell you to watch more of these. Don't listen. The quality just drops off a cliff after this one. Fair warning.

James Melton

Beneath was uploaded to YouTube yesterday.

Clay F

This might be a dumb question but are the Ape movie reactions not being uploaded on YouTube?I know the first was like 3 weeks ago,but I wasn’t sure if the others weren’t.

Cody Jones

This is why we love you, Cassie. LOL

Mark Vaderr

Hummm, would Dr. Z trust Cornelius with that information after destroying the Forbidden Zone

Mark Pitta

Great reaction, Cassie. I was never a fan of this ending either. Good movie with a sad ending. You should watch the next movie also to come full circle. It finishes the telling of how the Earth became the planet of the apes. My order of the movies from best to worst is 1, 4, 3, 5 & then 2. To me 2 doesn't even belong in the series. It is not really part of the main story being told.

Rick Williams

But at the end of the original film, Dr. Zaius revealed the existence of additional Sacred Scrolls that were kept hidden from the public. Cornelius reads an excerpt from them in his final monologue. This could be the source for the history Cornelius tells the humans in Escape — scrolls that he had never read until after Taylor and Nova departed on horseback.

Silver Machine

Not just the 70’s, but specifically the Vietnam War era. Nothing in these films are as horrific as the images Americans were seeing on TV news every night.

Silver Machine

I believe the “Dehn” cut of Escape is just a fan re-edit that removes the final scene of baby Milo at the circus. It’s not an official release. The “extended” version of Conquest is a restored version of the original director’s cut which was officially released on Blu-ray several years ago.

Silver Machine

I don't understand all these different versions of these movies. I had found the "Dehn" cut of Escape. I like them fine just the way I saw them in the theaters when they came out in the 1970's. 🤷‍♂️

MikeLL

Yes, that story from Cornelius didn't not fit in with what was revealed in the original movie.

MikeLL

Thanks for sticking with these sequels, Cassie. I knew you would like this film better than the previous one. If you watch the next one — and I sincerely hope you do — I strongly recommend watching the Extended Version which restores the film’s original ending before it was altered by the studio for the theatrical cut.

Silver Machine

You can definitely tell we're in the 70s era with that ending

Milton William Burray

One of the main reasons that I personally prefer PoA over X-Men is the PoA 1968 original, which stands out to me over all PoA and X-Men movies. I also think the Serkis apes movies (reboots) are good. As for X-Men, my top include Days of Future Past and Logan. Cassie/Carly skipped Dark Phoenix. I wish they would have additionally skipped at least Apocalypse. The first 2 [X-Men (2000) and X2 (2003)] did not keep my attention. While the 3rd The Last Stand (2006) is not a fan favorite, it did keep my attention. I found X-Men: First Class (2011) interesting and I liked The Wolverine (2013) ok (I like Hugh Jackman). The franchise is somewhat incoherent to me at times. I admit that I am not a fan boy. About 15 years ago, I took my kid to the theater to see an X-Men movie (when released) at his request but I don't remember it, except that Picard was in it. It was the only X-Men movie I saw before Cassie/Carly's reactions -- may have been X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I should clarify that to help my son and his friends, then 16, get into an R-rated movie (the only time I ever did that), I met them at the theater to see Deadpool (2016) when released, which I thought was hilarious. I did have some angst after the fact as the movie was provocative with sexual stuff and especially violence, and I had been a hardass on never taking my son growing up to see an R-rated movie. I was liberal with PG-13, but never R not once. They were 16.

Clay F

The thing about RT scores is they are not directly comparable, someone looks at the review and decides whether it's positive or not, sometimes with questionable judgement. Comparing IMDB scores, which are an actual metric, the 5 X-Men movies win 4 rounds and draw 1, not quite a clean sweep but almost a total knockout But it's academic anyway, I personally prefer the original apes movies to the reboots just because I don't like watching films with CGI characters generally

Milton William Burray

You stated: "The top 5 X-Men movies — X1, X2, First Class, Days of Future Past, Logan — beat the top 5 Apes movies hands down." You tabulated IMDb/RT numbers of your top 5 X-Men. Yet, your use of the phrase "hands down" in your statement is wrong, or at least misleading, in terms of the review numbers you give. After all, a tie on RT: IMDb 7.7, RT 87% = Avg of Top 5 X-Men (you list) IMDb 7.5, RT 87% = Avg of 5 Planet of the Apes (I list) IMDb 7.7, RT 86% = Median of Top 5 X-Men (you list) IMDb 7.6, RT 86% = Median of 5 Planet of the Apes (I list) You stated: "The X-Men series is exceptional ..." While the X-Men series is acceptable or good for those who like that movie type, there are too many mediocre X-Men movies and too much lack of coherence in the series for the X-Men franchise to be considered exceptional.

Clay F

Splendid reaction, Cassie. This is a great addition to the series, and what contrast it goes from light-heartedness, to more dark undertones. Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter do a wonderful job, and the supporting cast is good as well. Now it's onto "Conquest", which I believe is the best of the sequels. Thank you again, for sticking with this series.

Mark Vaderr

The MPAA was in its infancy.

Mark Vaderr

Hi Cassie. It would be good to see the next one, "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" as it continues with the series of events that Cornelius talked about to the humans regarding the disease epidemic to pets and humans taking apes as pets.

Jorge De La Torriente

The top 5 X-Men movies — X1, X2, First Class, Days of Future Past, Logan — beat the top 5 Apes movies hands down X-Men - IMDb 7.3/10 Rotten Tomatoes 82% X2 - IMDb 7.4/10 Rotten Tomatoes 85% First Class - IMDb 7.7/10 Rotten Tomatoes 86% Days of Future Past - IMDb 7.9/10 Rotten Tomatoes 90% Logan - IMDb 8.1/10 Rotten Tomatoes 93% Even when there's duds in the X-Men series you can always look forward to the next being the best one yet, whereas Apes start off strong and then decline

Milton William Burray

Collectively, the 1968 original + the 4 reboots are better than the X-Man franchise. The X-Men series was long and arduous to me, with a few medicore movies. I liked X-Men overall better than expected but some of the X-Men movies did not keep my attention. As for Planet of the Apes, my recommendation months ago was to react to these 5 and skip the remaining 5 of the franchise. IMDb 8.0, RT 86% = 1968 Original IMDb 7.6, RT 82% = Rise (2011) IMDb 7.6, RT 91% = Dawn (2014) IMDb 7.4, RT 94% = War (2017) IMDb 6.9, RT 80% = Kingdom (2024) The X-Men franchise was a long road with some mediocrity along the way. IMDb 6.6, RT 57% = The Last Stand (2006) IMDb 6.5, RT 38% = Wolverine (2009) IMDb 6.7, RT 71% = The Wolverine (2013) IMDb 6.8, RT 47% = Apocalypse (2016) My favorites were Days of Future Past, Logan, and Deadpool (I didn't realize that Deadpool was part of the X-Men franchise).

Clay F

Khaaaaaan! My understanding is there a mysteriously lost "Naked Gun" PIB reaction... strangely Ricardo Montalban in that movie is what I kept thinking about while I was watching this. Maybe we also need to see some Batman '66 to see Roddy McDowall (Cornelius) as the villain bookworm.

Mojo One Thousand

There are people that are not happy that she didn't go directly to the modern Ape series. I even suggested that originally, that she skips all these sequels. I'm delighted she didn't, but many others aren't and don't want to wait for Rise.

MikeLL

This is so awesome that PiP is doing these films. Way to go champs!

SpankTheMonk

The X-Men series is exceptional and a lot more exciting than PotA. Most film series are better enjoyed with breathing room imo. I like the Pink Panther series, and eventually Cassie will watch more probably, but I wouldn't recommend they must be watched rapidly

Milton William Burray

If you choose to react to the Tim Burton 2001 remake (Mark Wahlberg), I suggest doing so before reacting to the reboots. However, if you wanted to save the 2001 remake [RT=43%] for last (after the reboots), that's fine. Carly could join you if you decided to do the remake. I would be curious of Carly's take.

Clay F

She should react at the same pace she reacted to the X-Men franchise. As for the original sequels, she may be done or at most 1 more.

Clay F

This was rated G. They shot a baby. A baby chimpanzee but still. The 1970s were wild.

TheSingulatarian

Cassie, I’ve seen this movie many times but you’re right: Cornelius could not have known how apes evolved with that speech but Conquest of the planet of the Apes will answer all your questions.

Mark Pitta

I'm not against watching more, but why not take a break then come back to the series? That was how audiences experienced them and absence makes the heart grow fonder

Milton William Burray

As a kid/young adult 40-50 years ago, I would watch the original sequels on TV on a Saturday afternoon or late night during the week. The 4 early 1970s sequels (more for hardcore fans) are simply not at the quality of the 1968 original, which is especially noticeable to me now. I just hope for Cassie (and other first-time watchers), their experience with the first sequel Beneath doesn't distract from how excellent the 1968 original. IMDb 8.0, RT 86% = 1968 original IMDb 6.0, RT 37% = Beneath (1970) IMDb 6.3, RT 76% = Escape (1971) IMDb 6.1, RT 52% = Conquest (1972) IMDb 5.4, RT 36% = Battle (1973) Escape and Conquest are the best of the four original sequels. Yet, for those watching the original sequels without the nostalgia lens, God help you. This reaction, Cassie was into the 2 lead characters and seemed invested in the story. She may be developing her own early Planet of the Apes nostalgia.

Clay F

You should definitely watch the fourth film, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. Preferably, I would say you should watch the "Extended Cut" from the Blu-ray, which is barely extended -- it simply restores the original ending, which is more fitting. That said, I would settle for the theatrical cut, which is much more widely available. If you wanted to watch the Extended Cut on digital, you would have to buy a digital copy of the theatrical version and add it to the free hub service Movies Anywhere, which will connect the movies you own digitally on Amazon, iTunes, Fandango, and Google, among others, and on the MA app you can access the special features, but that's a fair amount of work. That said, you can stop at Conquest. Battle is another dud, less depressing than Beneath but also cheaply made and fairly boring. Personally, since nothing that actually impacts the plot happens in Beneath, I just skip Beneath and go right to Escape and Conquest. Also, no way am I the first person to tell you this, I'm sure many have if I were to open the full comments, but Armando the circus guy was Khan in the original Star Trek. He was also the bad guy in your favorite movie, The Naked Gun.

Tyler Foster

Hey look, it's M. Emmet Walsh.

Carol_White

Dr. Hasslein meet Dr. Hazlitt

David Patterson

I do love this one, it has it's charm and also like the ended, it is horrifying, but I thought is was a sad but good ending. Some do evil, thinking they are doing good. This one makes you think like the first did so well.

John A

I would say continue complete it, watch the next two, you have to see where it goes, it brings a lot of meaning to the new ones. The new ones play homage to the sequels. So I hope you watch the last two.

John A

I loved watching your reaction to this, and I'm so glad you stuck with it. I hope you at least watch Conquest. It continues the storyline you've been watching, answers more questions, and goes into more detail of the story you already know. See you at Conquest of the Planet of the Apes!

Mark T

Thank you Cassie. Hope you will go the distance.

Brian Wood

Speaking with nostalgia glasses secured by a band, I love all of these movies. I'm thinking I was about the same age as you watching them on what always seemed to be a Sunday afternoon. Wish I could remember which basic cable station, but they were regularly aired. Hoping She goes the distance, but this one (Escape) was the most hoped for by me and I'm happy.

clays283

I'd give anything for more people to watch those movies lol. Especially Soylent Green

Astraeos

I don't think it is as bad as its reputation. I'll admit I first saw it as child of about 8 and kind of loved it so it may be the nostalgia glasses talking. Last of the original Apes series and the only one that really has a happy ending. Elements of it were cribbed for the new Apes series.

TheSingulatarian

Wow. I guess I gotta check out "Battle" again. I kinda think just checking off the whole series would be kinda cool. It has been awhile since I watched it though. Was it really that terrible? lol

clays283

I am glad you liked it a lot better than beneath. I think you should watch conquest, and then skip battle and go straight into the reboot.

Joshua Garrett

I'm gonna still advocate for the Tim Burton one, it definitely has its redeemable qualities, especially the production and design of it. If you've watched this many, what's one more? And it'd feel too much like skipping a step in the path towards the new ones.

Astraeos

This is the best of the original sequels IMO, but CONQUEST is also quite good and, as you will later see, was a huge influence on the reboot trilogy. I recommend checking that one out too. You can skip BATTLE (it's bad) and probably the Tim Burton one (although I don't hate it as much as many do) and go right to the beginning of the new POTA movies, RISE.

Stick Figure Studios

I prefer this one myself, but CONQUEST is a close second.

Stick Figure Studios

Oh look its KHAAANNNN! Have never watched this one all the way through before, so good. Can't think of many movies out there that can be funny whilst being tense & heartbreaking. Beginning to think its even better than the original.

Brodie Vickers

I love that the local newscaster turns out the way he does.

Thomas Thompson

"THERE ARE NO PHONES RINGING!!!" Omega Man is a wild ride

John Drake

I think it’s perfectly understandable that you might be perplexed by the worship of the atomic bomb. If it’s the first time you’ve encountered this kind of idea and popular media I certainly like the omega man better than the Will Smith sequel. I also like the Vincent Price version it’s quite different, but it has a certain charm to it I think. my only problem with escape from the planet of the apes is that it sets up a causality loop. I think it would’ve been more interesting if they set up a divergent history line. though maybe with the causality loop they were going for another surprise ending like the Statue of Liberty reveal

Thomas Thompson

Agree completely. Particularly about the mutants worshipping the bomb. Don’t understand why some people find that so hard to comprehend. It literally created the world they live in and is capable of total destruction - in other words, it’s omnipotent, like a god. I also love Soylent Green and Omega Man. Of the adaptations of “I Am Legend”, Omega Man strays the farthest from the source material, but at least it’s interesting (unlike the CGI snoozefest starring Will Smith).

Just Plain Bob

I think I liked number two a little more than Cassie did. I didn’t like the re-treading of old territory, introducing a new astronaut and sort of putting him through the same sort of storyline as in the first movie, but I guess it was unfortunately necessary since Charlton Heston didn’t really want to be in the second film I did like the mutants and their religion of the bomb. I thought that was an interesting commentary How the thing that almost destroyed them became their deity. I thought that was an interesting development essentially since the atomic bomb is the thing that is all powerful and shaped their world. I still think the Omega man and Soylent Green are a must watch.

Thomas Thompson

Love this one but for me, it's CONQUEST that is the best of the sequels. Just a fantastic film.

Matt Rose

Cassie - you also saw Roddy McDowall in the 1972 “The Poseidon Adventure” with Gene Hackman. Roddy was the injured waiter. (Edit: Just saw Mike LL already noted his role below). He starred in two of my favorite childhood movies: “My Friend Flicka” & “Lassie Come Home.” His last acting gig before he passed in 1998 was playing Snowball in “Steven Spielberg Presents Pinky and the Brain.”

Rose

That’s a very dubious claim. I urge you to watch “Casablanca” which is positively littered with quotable one-liners, or perhaps the most famous one-liner ever spoken on film by Clark Gable in “Gone with the Wind” - ““Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” As a Sherlock Holmes fan, the fictional detective uttered the line “Elementary, my dear Watson” in a 1929 movie. (The Return of Sherlock Holmes). The line never appeared in the novels but the line is inextricably linked to the character today.

Darren Harrison

Still pulling for The Omega Man and Soylent Green. The only sci fi trilogy you ever need to see.

Thomas Thompson

Depending upon your perspective the rest of the movies have happier endings.

TheSingulatarian

Just rewatched along with your reaction. Whenever I see cars especially cop cars in old 1970s movies, they are always Plymouth Satellites. Dr. Hasline drove a Chrysler New Yorker. My father gave me a 1972 Chrysler New Yorker to drive in High School. Hasline drove a 1973 New Yorker. It was a boat and gas guzzler. I got in a fender bender at least once. Too much power for a young driver but that 440 engine screamed. I drove a lot of Mopar in my younger days. Now of course new Chrysler products are absolute junk.

TheSingulatarian

When this movie came out, the effects of alcohol on pregnant women was not yet known. That came later in the decade. In fact, it was considered beneficial for women to take an occastional glass of wine.

sharkey197

In the Twilight Zone episode “No Time Like the Past” (1963), a time traveler named Paul Driscoll attempts to change history for the better, including considering assassinating Adolf Hitler as a child.

Darren Harrison

You can stream it for free on the internet archive. Like I said it has been scrubbed from all streaming services. https://archive.org/details/colossus-the-forbin-project-1970

TheSingulatarian

Gregory Costello

It certainly was!

MikeLL

It was so long ago, I honestly don't remember!

MikeLL

If you choose to proceed to the next sequel [Conquest (1972)], you find out what happens to baby Milo. Armando (Ricardo Montalban) is in Conquest. As noted in a comment below and as you now recognize, Ricardo Montalban is Khan in ST II -- but I know him best from the Fantasy Island TV series (1977-1984). Conquest is generally considered the 2nd best original sequel after this one (Escape). Skip the final original sequel Battle (1973). You nailed that they went back in time. Also, Escape is known for what you commented -- having a more fun first half and then turning dark for the second half. Sad ending. "These movies really like killing main characters." At least the baby lived. Cornelius = Roddy McDowall played Cornelius in the 1968 original and in this sequel, but not in the previous sequel (Beneath) b/c McDowall was unavailable (directing a movie in Scotland). Roddy McDowall was also "Acres" -- a ship steward (waiter) as a fairly prominent character in "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972).

Clay F

Interesting that we both brought up Terminator and Cameron in relation to this movie. Thanks for the information that Braden is that man eho was cast in Titanic, I never would've recognized him with his moustache, but once you get the idea in your head that he's the same actor it's undeniable. I'll have to look up Colossus, it's a movie I've never heard of and sounds interesting.

YodatheHobbit

oh no way!! that was cornelius?!

Cassie

🫠😱🤦‍♀️

Cassie

oh my gossshhhh! amazing, so you always loved movies, did you have popcorn for all 3 meals!!

Cassie

omg of course!!!!! KHAN was right in front of me and i couldn’t seehim, needed more chest to place him ;)

Cassie

It's very ironic and I think intentional that the gorilla at the beginning had a problem Dr. Milo speaking, with apes speaking, so he killed him. Perhaps an intolerance to apes having the literal freedom of speech, or maybe jealousy. Even though the gorilla couldn't speak, I'm sure he had an opinion about it. He didn't enjoy Dr. Milo being smart. Either way, it's consistent with the theme of making them antagonists in these movies, making Gorillas anti-science. Gorillas were in favor of censorship and susceptible to fear of the unknown in the future, in the ape's time of dominance, and the filmmakers made it so also in the past/present. I also had the thought that Cornelius's sudden knowledge of his own prehistory seemed like a BIG discrepancy and plot hole from the original movie. I'm one to ignore or explain discrepancies between films, but that one is pretty darn large. Dr. Sayus believed human's couldn't have been dominant in the past, right? So why would an ape even need to say "NO!" if they were subordinate? Now suddenly the "Day of NO" is a national Ape holiday? Random thought: Is it strange that I see aspects of myself in Cornelius? Or at least ideals and morals I aspire to? Maybe he made a larger impression to myself as a teenager growing up than I remember. He's quite a modern "man", even as a character if the character was a human man in the 1960s/70s. This one I also thoroughly enjoyed throughout most of it. Zira reminds me of my grandmother, even talks like she did. I didn't realize till later she's the actress who is the famous "STELLA!" from "A Streetcar Named Desire" whom Marlon Brando is yelling at in that film. I've never actually seen it, only clips, and I think I was initially introduced to the story from when Marge portrayed Stella on The Simpsons. The end of this movie depressed me quite a bit when I first saw it, so much that I held off on watching the next two for a few days, but then I think my curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to see how the story really ended. 70s films sure love showing how all of life can go so bad so quickly. I did really like the philosophy discussions they had in this film. Even before going completely nuts and shooty Dr. Otto Hasslein had a moment of wondering if by stopping the birth of the child he was preventing god's will or being his instrument, so at least he had a moment of contemplation before becoming a murderous douche. When The President mentioned 'would we have approved killing him(Hitler) when still innocent, "or killing his mother when he was still in her womb", at that part, did anyone else suddenly have The Terminator come to mind? I've been wondering if maybe that's where James Cameron got the idea of traveling to the past to kill Sarah Conner. I'm sure of course reading "The Time Machine" by H.G Wells and other time travel books I'm not aware of inspired him most of all, but unless I'm forgetting a popular story in culture this is the earliest sci fi film I've seen so far that has a character consider the idea of going to the past to kill the mother of a future leader.

YodatheHobbit

Yay, So glad you enjoyed this one! Looking forward to watching this reaction tonight!

Mark T

OK one more. Natalie Trundy was the wife of the producer Arthur P. Jacobs. She appeared in all of the Apes films except the first one as different characters. She appeared as Dr. Stephanie Branton in Escape and the main Female Mutant in Beneath.

TheSingulatarian

More pointless trivia. Sal Mineo played Dr. Milo. He was probably most famous for appearing in "Rebel Without a Cause" with James Dean. He was killed in an unsolved murder not too many ears after making this film. Paul Lynde also died under mysterious circumstances in the 1970s. Was there a gay serial killer loose in Los Angeles in the 1970s? The world may never know.

TheSingulatarian

Escape is the first Ape movie I saw in theaters. The villain of the story Dr. Hasline was mentioned by Taylor in the first Planet of the Apes. Known today as Eric Braden he had a kind of interesting career as he began acting under his real name Hans Gudegast. A name so German it almost sounds made up. He came to fame as a German character on the TV series "Rat Patrol" set during WWII in North Africa. He did some other jobs under his birth name including "100 Rifles" with Jim Brown, Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch. Which is an OK but not great western. He was considered briefly to replace Sean Connery as James Bond. He was about to get a contract with Universal but they insisted he change his name. He was resistant at first but his wife pushed him to do it. So now he was Eric Braden. He starred in "Colossus: The Forbin Project". One of my favorite moves about AI. The technology is dated but the subject matter in more pertinent than ever. Scrubbed from all streaming sites. Perhaps because Elon decided to name his supercomputer Colossus. One of the great sci-fi classis. James Cameron is a big fan of Colossus and based SkyNet from "The Terminator" Films on Colossus. He ever cast Braden as John Jacob Astor in "Titanic" because he was such a big fan. Braden would later go on to star for many years on "The Young and the Restless". Nothing like a steady paycheck for an actor.

TheSingulatarian

I did watch your reaction to "Beneath The Planet of the Apes" the other night and it was no surprise to me that you didn't like it as much! No worries though, because I kinda felt the same way! TBH though, I've never seen the second one all the way through, only bits and pieces, especially the ending, that was it! The sequel was a strange one indeed, but too answer at least one question on your mind in that one, the humans that live underground and worship the A-Bomb as their God, they mutated from radiation poisoning from all the previous bombs and that's what gave them their special powers and mutated into what I like to call "Ghouls"! Hmmm!!!🤔 I wonder if that was what inspired the creation of the Fallout videogame series lol! Anyway, aside from that, I've never seen this one, so I'll be watching it tonight when I get off work! Hope you're doing well, have a good Thursday, love and support always🥰😇🙏🤗😁😉👍✌🌹

Wesley White

Yes, this one is fun! Looking forward to the reaction.

clutchkman

Cassie, you recognized Ricardo Montalban but seemed unsure of where you’d seen him before. It was in the Star Trek episode “Space Seed” and “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan.” He played Khan. Cornelius was played by genteel acting legend Roddy McDowall. He appeared in more than 100 films in his career, including playing Goldie Hawn’s butler in “Overboard.” He was also featured in the scary-but-not-too-scary film “Fright Night”, which I really hope gets a reaction this Halloween season. His co-stars in his various films always spoke about what a kind, gentle person he was. He was also known to possess one of the largest film collections in the world (with an estimated value of $5 million), at a time when few people collected films. He was best friends with Elizabeth Taylor. Author Dominick Dunne wrote a moving tribute piece to McDowall when he passed away. Here’s a link for anyone that’s interested. https://archive.vanityfair.com/article/1998/12/the-company-he-kept

Just Plain Bob

And Roddy was the doomed Scotish ship's steward that Cassie liked in THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE!

MikeLL

Such an entertaining movie. Inventive, too, they just reversed one of the concepts from the first movie. I never doubted that Cassie would like it. (I haven't gotten to the end yet, kinda worried about that. Dear Cassie, by now you have found out that there are not typically rainbows and puppies at the end of a Planet of the Apes film!) I hope Cassie goes on to the next one, Conquest, because this film set that one up. As for the last one, I guess the consensus is for skipping it, even if it wraps up the first series in a special way. Now since I don't know if we are going to continue on, time for my POTA marathon story. When I was 16 or 17 in 1975 or 1976, one of my local theaters showed a marathon of all 5 original Apes films. I somehow talked my Dad into letting me take one of the family cars and off I went. It started about 10 or 10:30 in the morning and I happily watched the original film for the umpteenth time, but then for the second film they showed Escape so I went to the lobby to complain that they were showing the third film after the first. Sure enough they showed Beneath third. So after seeing all five I naturally had to stay for the second showing! And the theater got it right, they showed Planet, Beneath, Escape, Conquest and then Battle. Got out of the theater between 1 am and 2 am in the morning. And that is how I saw all 5 Apes films, twice, in one day!

MikeLL

The channel's gone apeshit.

Chris Thom

I support all of these. Especially The Fly. Branagh's Frankenstein would be interesting. That's always a love/hate with people.

Rick Rodriguez

I'd forgotten about that one, Rick. I would also give honourable mention to "It!" (1967), which also starred Roddy. Your response has nudged me into emptying both drawers of my Scary Movie bureau. It's not exactly my forte, but if Cassie picks any 12 from these, I'm convinced she will have the greatest Scary-But-Not-Too-Scary October ever: Nosferatu (1922) Freaks (1932) Bride of Frankenstein (1935) Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) - CARLY FRIENDLY Horror of Dracula (1958) Time Machine (1960) - CARLY FRIENDLY (ish) Carry On Screaming (1966) - CARLY FRIENDLY Carrie (1976) Jaws 2 (1978) - CARLY OBLIGATION Creepshow (1982) Fright Night (1985) The Fly (1986) The Hitcher (1986) Wolf (1994) Frankenstein (1994) Blair Witch Project (1999) - If Carly is within a hundred yards of the room you're watching this in, she will spontaneously expire. Deep Blue Sea (1999) Final Destination (2000) Hannibal (2001) Red Dragon (2002) Meander (2020) (I hear you laughing, Richard, but it's the best I can do.)

Clarence Newman

Yay! She Liked it! Onward to Conquest! Then stop there ✋️. And then the Burton remake.( For kicks). Then the Rise.

Rick Rodriguez

We gotta get Fright Night on here for Halloween this year.

Rick Rodriguez

The second one was even stranger than I remembered. I wonder how well this holds up, since in my memory the third and fourth films are fairly decent, but it was close to 30 years when I watched them. I'm also curious to see if Cassie has recognized KHAAAN.

Gábor Árki

Not a fan of this series, but I've popped on to point out that Roddy MacDowall (Cornelius) also played the butler in Overboard.

Clarence Newman