Saturday, November 30, 2013

Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes is more than just an entertaining science fiction movie.  Released in 1968, a volatile time in America, the film provided a look into the future of the country if it continued then current trends.  More than any other theme, the movie comments on the state of racism in the US.  Other than the obvious monkey connection, it shows segregation and poor treatment of the natives in a similar fashion to events from the civil rights movement.  Some little things, like spraying Taylor and the others with a hose, are direct references to the country's racism.  The general plot lines tie in better with the theme, as shown in the trial scene.  Taylor was brought to trial for no reason, and was told by the judges that his opinions were not valid and he had no rights, as the apes were the master race.  Even though Taylor is speaking the truth, he is treated like a lesser human being, both verbally and physically.  Clearly, Taylor's treatment was a reference to the conditions African Americans were faced with when this movie came out.  For example, the apes forcibly muted Taylor and the natives so they would not be able to communicate or, in Taylor's case, show  that they have intelligence.  This is similar to cases where African Americans were not allowed in schools or were violently harassed when they did go.  Because Taylor is the hero who finally breaks from the apes' imprisonment, it would make sense that the film is more a condemnation of racism than a supporter of it.  Towards the end of the film, the theme of war and destruction comes out.  Taylor has little faith in humanity, as he believes them to be destructive and harmful to no end.  At the end when he learns that people had destroyed their own planet which eventually led to the apes taking over, he realizes he was right in his assumptions.  Although there wasn't much talk of war up to this point, this scene has a clear anti war message.  War wasn't a popular of favorable topic at this time, as theVietnam was was reaching it's height with the Tet offensive happening just weeks before the film's release.  The ending scene could have been a way for the screenwriters to voice their opinions that war will eventually destroy the world.  Overall, the film is both a worthy science fiction film about the future and a commentary on then present day America.

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