--- title: "Planet of the Apes: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes" critics_score: 86 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Planet of the Apes (1968): what the critics said Critics' score 86 from 13 reviews: 13 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. All 13 reviews are positive, and the praise clusters on the same things. Most critics treat the film as a political allegory first and an adventure second, and admire it on both counts: the satire of race, religion and class is repeatedly singled out, as is the Rod Serling and Michael Wilson script for blending humour with dread. Charlton Heston’s Taylor draws consistent credit, as do the pioneering ape make-up, Schaffner’s direction and the score. The closing twist is named again and again as the reason the film lasts. The spread is narrow, and the mild reservations come mostly from 1968. The Guardian finds the film ingenious but too allegorical and too cute, and The New Yorker rates it highly as entertainment while insisting it is not art. Time Out, more recently, files it as a minor classic rather than a major one. Later critics tend to grade it upwards partly by comparison with the sequels and the Burton remake, which several dismiss outright. ## Radio Times — Jeremy Aspinall Rating 5/5. The critic hails the original as the benchmark for the entire franchise, crediting its clever allegory, satire and excitement. It particularly praises the script by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson alongside strong performances and haunting score. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-n82o43/planet-of-the-apes/) ## Slant Magazine — Bill Weber Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 July 2011. The film boldly confronts racial animus in 1968 America through its explicit allegory of intolerance and power structures. It succeeds as both a crafted adventure yarn with memorable sequences and a thematically rich work whose twist ending retains mythic and apocalyptic impact. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/planet-of-the-apes/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John Mahoney Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 March 2017. The film succeeds on multiple levels as rare entertainment that appeals to imagination, intellect, and action while remaining relevant to its era's issues. It features strong direction by Schaffner, a solid Wilson-Serling script, and an outstanding Heston performance. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/planet-apes-1968-review-i-original-movie-973869/) ## The Times — Stephen Dalton Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 April 2004. Calls it a landmark in simian sci-fi, gripping and unsettling with rich political and social allegory; far better than the Burton remake. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/article/planet-of-the-apes-reviews-6cwmqghdccx) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 February 1968. The review describes the film as an amazing political-sociological allegory blending chilling satire, optimism, and pessimism. It praises the script adaptation, direction, suspense, surprise ending, cast performances in makeup, and score. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1967/film/reviews/planet-of-the-apes-2-1200421584/) ## Empire — Andrew Collins Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film's enduring power through Charlton Heston's performance as the misanthropic Taylor, who evolves from hating humanity to damning it after confronting ape tyranny. The review highlights the script's mix of humour and terror, the iconic ending, and the technical achievements in makeup and direction that bring the political allegory to life. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/empire-essay-planet-apes-review/) ## Little White Lies — Stephen Puddicombe Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2017. The critic praises the film's sharp satirical edge as a response to 1960s social upheaval and counterculture. It highlights the innovative New Hollywood style, apocalyptic themes reflecting nuclear fears, and subversive allegory for race relations and generational shifts. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/in-praise-of/planet-apes-of-the-apes-1960s-counterculture) ## Time Out — TM Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2014. The review calls it a minor sci-fi classic that retains wit and visual impact despite later sequels. It singles out the striking use of Utah and Arizona locations to build isolation, menace and the film's central enigma. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/planet-of-the-apes-2) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 March 1968. The critic finds the film ingenious but ultimately too allegorical and cute, confirming Schaffner's talent but revealing its limits; praises the plot and photography. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/1968/mar/22/features) ## The New Yorker — Pauline Kael Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 February 1968. The critic calls it a very entertaining movie and one of the best science-fiction fantasies from Hollywood. She singles out the clever plotting, Charlton Heston's performance as the hero, and the wide-screen direction and photography for praise while noting it is not art. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1968/02/17/apes-must-be-remembered-charlie) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 3 July 2014. The critic calls the film one of the best and most enduring sci-fi entries, praising its cynical and subversive social commentary that still resonates. The review singles out the iconic ending and the exploration of religious devotion overriding scientific truth as particularly powerful elements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/planet-of-the-apes-review/) ## Digital Spy — Jamie Graham Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2014. The critic calls the film a classic that still speaks loudly decades later. They single out its satirical commentary on society, religion, class and race along with the iconic twist ending and Heston's performance. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/re-viewed/a583515/re-viewed-planet-of-the-apes-1968-talking-monkeys-they-speak-loudly/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 May 2010. The 1968 original is the only worthwhile entry in the franchise and remains a classic genre piece. The critic singles out the pioneering makeup design and the script's clever social analogies for praise, along with the iconic twist ending. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/planet-of-the-apes-film-review-by-stephen-carty) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md