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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Planet Of The Apes

    Featured In Issue 138, January/February 2009

    Picture3.5
    Sound2.5
    WSR Score4
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    2255152
    (MPAA Rating):
    G
    (Rating Reason):
    NA
    (Retail Price):
    $159.98
    (Disc Type):
    Five-Disc Set: BD-50
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    112
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    1
    (Theatrical Year):
    1967
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    11/04/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Franklin J. Schaffner
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital 1.0, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, Planet Of The Apes is a cautionary tale on the destructive nature of man and where it could lead. A group of astronauts crash on an unknown planet where apes rule the land, and the mute, uncivilized humans are treated like animals.(Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary by Actors Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, and Natalie Trundry, and Makeup Artist John Chambers; commentary by Composer Jerry Goldsmith; test commentary by Eric Greene, author of Planet Of The Apes An American Myth; The Science Of The Apes Bonus View™; the Beyond The Forbidden Zone HD BD-Java adventure game; a public service announcement from NASA (HD); and two featurettes: The Evolution Of The Apes (HD 23 minutes) and The Impact Of The Apes (HD 11 minutes); the Beyond The Planet Of The Apes documentary; Behind The Planet Of The Apes (SD 118 minutes), which is a documentary with an interactive mode; The Archives Of The Apes original makeup test with Edward G. Robinson (1966); Roddy McDowall's on-set footage, dailies, and outtakes (SD 57 minutes); a NATO presentation (1967—SD 15 minutes); a Vintage Planet Of The Apes featurette; a teaser trailer; the original theatrical trailer; The Galleries Of The Apes: The Ape Newspaper; an interactive pressbook; advertising, lobby cards, makeup, costume design sketches, props, and behind-the-scenes; and an isolated DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel music score.

    The picture quality on this 2.37:1 AVC-encoded Blu-ray Disc is excellent, making this the finest presentation of this American classic film ever. Colors are naturally rendered throughout without any exaggeration, though, sometimes fleshtones appear slightly brownish. Shadow delineation is good, but overall there are no dark scenes that display deep blacks. Thus, contrasts are less dynamic. Resolution is very good, exhibiting fine details, with no objectional noise. Clearly, the resolution heightens the production elements seen in the set designs and lighting effects used in the filming. Such image quality really exposes the simple filming techniques of the day. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack has been repurposed from the original stereo soundtrack. As such, it adds an enhanced dimension to experiencing this film, as does the D-BOX® Motion Code™ mastering. The mono music and effects sound elements are applied in the stereo channels and the surrounds effectively at times, though, the dialogue still sounds forward and often ADR derived. The Jerry Goldsmith symphonic orchestral score is nicely recorded, with its mono elements spread to the stereo and surround channels. Low-frequency effects are virtually non-existent, and the overall bass doesn't drop below about 50 Hz. The sound, at times, is harsh and shrill, which can be annoying. While better sounding than the original mono version, this is still a mediocre soundtrack that, unfortunately, represented the norm in the 1960s. (Gary Reber)

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