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Escape from the Planet of the Apes 1971

Fleeing the destruction of their home planet, three intelligent apes travel back in time to 1970s America. Initially observed by scientists, their advanced intellect and ability to speak quickly lead to misunderstandings and unexpected consequences. The apes’ presence challenges human assumptions about intelligence and raises questions about the future of both species, ultimately sparking conflict and rebellion.

Fleeing the destruction of their home planet, three intelligent apes travel back in time to 1970s America. Initially observed by scientists, their advanced intellect and ability to speak quickly lead to misunderstandings and unexpected consequences. The apes’ presence challenges human assumptions about intelligence and raises questions about the future of both species, ultimately sparking conflict and rebellion.

Does Escape from the Planet of the Apes have end credit scenes?

No!

Escape from the Planet of the Apes does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Explore the complete cast of Escape from the Planet of the Apes, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Escape from the Planet of the Apes

See how Escape from the Planet of the Apes is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Escape from the Planet of the Apes stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

69

Metascore

6.7

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

75%

TOMATOMETER

review

53%

User Score

TMDB

64

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Escape from the Planet of the Apes Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Escape from the Planet of the Apes with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Quiz on Escape from the Planet of the Apes: Test your knowledge on the 1971 classic Escape from the Planet of the Apes.

Who are the three main chimpanzee characters that travel to 1973?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Escape from the Planet of the Apes

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Read the complete plot summary of Escape from the Planet of the Apes, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As the shadow of disaster looms over their home planet, a determined trio of chimpanzees—Cornelius, Zira, and Dr. Milo—seize the chance to salvage and restore the spacecraft belonging to the brave astronaut Taylor. The explosive shockwave from Earth’s impending cataclysm propels their vessel through time, landing them unexpectedly in 1973, right on the sun-drenched Pacific coast of the United States.

Their sudden presence at the Los Angeles Zoo ignites a wave of curiosity among scientists, capturing the attention of Drs. Stephanie Branton and Lewis Dixon, enthusiastic researchers keen to learn from their extraordinary new acquaintances. Tragedy strikes, however, when Dr. Milo falls victim to an aggressive gorilla, a loss that leaves the chimps vulnerable.

As news of the spaceship and its unusual inhabitants spreads rapidly, a Presidential Commission is formed to explore the enigma surrounding Taylor’s ship and its unusual crew. Although Cornelius and Zira initially withhold details about their connection to Taylor, they ultimately disclose their origins from a war-torn future where humanity has nearly annihilated itself.

In the face of newfound fame, the apes tread cautiously, aware that their existence in 1973 poses a significant risk. They confide in Stephanie and Lewis about the grim future that looms for humanity, including the catastrophic ruin of their world. Left in disbelief, the scientists realize the necessity of keeping this knowledge concealed, at least until they better understand how society might react.

While enjoying their moment of celebrity, the apes attract the interest of Dr. Otto Hasslein, the President’s Science Advisor, who becomes fixated on Zira’s pregnancy and the secrets behind their extraordinary evolution. Cornelius warns that human destructive tendencies will lead to their ultimate demise, with Zira revealing that the war was ignited by gorillas while chimps were mere victims.

Suspicion mounts when Zira inadvertently reveals her background as a human dissectionist during a critical congressional hearing. This confession unravels a series of events that leads Lewis to administer a truth serum to Zira while Cornelius is detained. As the serum takes effect, Hasslein uncovers chilling revelations about Zira’s past and her knowledge of Taylor’s identity.

Facing political pressure, the President reluctantly approves Zira’s termination and sterilization, putting both she and Cornelius in grave danger. As fear grips them, they brace for the fallout from Hasslein’s investigations, which he plans to exploit to legitimize their execution. Tensions rise when Cornelius lashes out at an orderly, leading to unforeseen tragedy.

Hasslein seizes this opportunity to call for the apes’ capture, but the President insists on due process. Branton and Dixon intervene to save the apes, relocating them to Señor Armando’s circus, where they find temporary refuge. Just as Zira goes into labor and names her child Milo in honor of their deceased friend, the threat of capture escalates.

Determined to secure the apes, Hasslein enacts a comprehensive search for them, compelling Armando to insist on their immediate departure for safety. Lewis arranges for the chimps to hide out in the Los Angeles harbor, providing Cornelius with a pistol, aware that assassination is imminent if they are discovered. Chaos erupts as Hasslein tracks them down—you see that Zira sustains fatal injuries, and her child is slaughtered in the fray.

In the heat of battle, Cornelius retaliates and fatally wounds Hasslein, only to fall victim to a sniper’s bullet himself. Zira, clutching her deceased son, attempts to escape, while Lewis and Stephanie witness the devastating events unfold. In a poignant twist, Zira had surreptitiously swapped her child with Heloise’s, a secret known only to Armando. As he prepares to move to Florida, they are met with an astonishing revelation: Milo speaks for the first time, signaling a pivotal change in the apes’ fraught ordeal.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Escape from the Planet of the Apes

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) ORIGINAL TRAILER

Cars Featured in Escape from the Planet of the Apes

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Explore all cars featured in Escape from the Planet of the Apes, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AMC

M422A1 'Mighty Mite'

Chevrolet

1940

G-7107

Chrysler

1971

New Yorker

Dodge

1941

WC

Ford

1965

Fairlane

Ford

1970

Galaxie 500

Harley-Davidson

Electra Glide Police

Jeep

CJ-5

Jeep

1970

Wagoneer

Lincoln

1965

Continental Executive Limousine

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


apeplanet of the apesfuturefearspaceshipspacecraftchimpanzeeyear 1973outer spacecornelius characterannouncement of pregnancyopening a bottle of winepsychotronic filmastronomical object in titlecia central intelligence agencybag of orangesfurrycreature featurebiopunkdystopian sci fitime travel sci filionbadgerbubble bathxenophobiad box motion codepregnancyon the runtragic eventdystopiacigarette smokingplanet in titleplace name in titleanimal in titlehero's welcomewinetape recordingtape recordersketch artistsecretly recordedscience lessonscience advisorrefrigeratorreference to adolf hitlerreference to herodreel to reel tape recorderrecording devicepacific oceanorange the fruitnewscast

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