Planet Of The Apes: The Complete TV Series (1974/Live Action)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: C+
YOU DAMN
DIRTY APES…You’ve done it again, this time on TV! In 1974 the creators and writing team from
the Planet of the Apes film series
decided to branch out to a different arena not yet explored by their powerhouse
of a franchise, television. This TV
series is a true cult classic that apparently has a true fan base even beyond
just the film series. The TV Series,
much like the films, follows a crew of astronauts from 1981 who crash on earth
in the year 3085. In 3085 Apes rule and
Humans are subservient slaves, who can talk in this series. The allowance for humans to talk in this era
this reviewer feels takes away from the original feel of the movie series. The show when originally aired was quite
unpopular and received little attention, shortly into its run being cancelled.
This is
sad because the show now has received such a high cult status, having more
episodes could have cleared up many of the plot holes the series left
behind. Though the series was not very
deep like the later Apes’ films (all
reviewed elsewhere on this site) that leave the reviewer asking why the show
did address many controversial issues for the time. The series addressed such taboos as racism,
honor, and interracial relationships.
The show has plot holes, less than spectacular dialogue, and though the
apes’ costumes are quite good other scenery needed improvement. In the end, however, Planet of the Apes: The Complete TV Series when watched as one
collective entity is quite enjoyable and reminiscent of the past, great, Apes films.
The
failure of this TV series should not be blamed on the writers but more so on
Network Program scheduling. The show was
pitted against such television series as Sanford
and Son and never had a chance as a new series, especially one that may
have seemed like a tired concept. A second
live-action series was planned in the 1980s, but eventually cancelled. If George Lucas can make a Star Wars live action television series
however, then Apes should get a
second chance.
This DVD
Set is very basic to many degrees. The
picture quality is presented in a full frame 1.33:1 format, which is sad
because it would look ten times better in anamorphic widescreen, though maybe
not possible. The picture quality is not
anywhere near as bad as this reviewer would have expected from a dead 14
episode television series from the 70’s, maintaining bright and clear picture
quality with occasional “blips” in the picture where obvious editing
occurred. The sound is somewhat worse
than the picture quality at times sounding rough in its Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
format, the music that occurs throughout the series would flow much better in a
surround or at least stereo format.
There is even a CD of some of the score, so masters exist for the music
somewhere. The extras are basically
nonexistent having a couple of movie trailers presented.
Looking
at this set on the whole it is a must have for all Planet of the Apes fans, only adding to the innovative storyline
which was established over 30 years ago. The
Complete Television Series in unique from the films and brings on a life of
its own to each episode, lending some new ideas to the every following episode. Overall, two opposable thumbs mostly up. By the way, this was not the end of the Apes
on TV since an animated show was produced.
You can read about it at the following link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4477/Return+To+The+Planet+Of+The+Apes+(1975/Animated+TV+series)
- Michael P Dougherty II
