Michael Wilson (6) (1914–1978)

British POW's build a bridge for the Japanese while an American escapes.

It's a reluctant A; there are a handful of important moments scattered throughout the movie that don't play as well as they should. But it's an unique and exceptionally strong story, and really stands out among all the tedious and recycled Epic Movies of the time. In fact, it's the only movie of its type from this era that I've liked at all so far.

Concept: A
Story: A
Characters: A
Dialog: A
Pacing: A
Cinematography: C
Special show more effects/design: A
Acting: A
Music: B

Enjoyment: A

GPA: 3.7/4 show less

It's great until the humans are rounded up and captured. After that, it makes no sense, and the actors in ape masks are not at all ape like. Why does everybody speak American English and use roman letters?

But in the beginning, when Charlton Heston stubs out his cigar on the space ship console and then shoves it into his pocket(!) before climbing into his cryogenic chamber, now that's good. Also, he looks very convincing, haggard, and with a few days of beard making his jaw even more show more pronounced once captured. show less

Spoilers: Near classic science fiction about a world where apes have evolved and men are savages. The story finally makes no sense (You're supposed to be on another planet--but everyone speaks English.) Just the same, it's seat-of-your-pants action. Saw it when I was a kid and people in the theater screamed at the end.

An interstellar voyage crashes on the Planet of the Apes.

It's the quintessential science fiction film of an era (for all the right reasons), and a damn good movie besides that.

Concept: A
Story: A
Characters: B
Dialog: A
Pacing: B
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: C
Acting: B
Music: A

Enjoyment: A plus

GPA: 3.5/4