Planet Of The Apes - The Television Series (DVD 2003)

I absolutely loved this series as a child! I was about twelve years old and had a huge crush on James Naughton who plays Pete Burke, one of the astronauts! So when I discovered this boxed set, I just had to have it!

Now sometimes, things we loved as a child simply do not have the same appeal when we are older. I remember enjoying Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as a child, yet thinking it a load of codswallop as an adult! So it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I sat down to view the first episode of Planet of the Apes. Would it stand the test of time? Were all my childhood memories about to be broken?

I needn't have worried! Planet of the Apes is every bit as good as I remembered it. Okay, so maybe the episodes are a bit repetitive and the acting a tad wooden, but it still manages to entertain. I think Planet of the Apes' saving grace is the fact that, set in the future and with the humans all wearing what looks like old woolly cast offs, the fashions of the day do not date the series like, for instance, The Incredible Hulk TV series. Dig those flares!

The actors all take their parts fairly seriously, with Roddy McDowell stealing the show and giving a creditable stand out performance as Galen. Mark Lenard, as Urko, is suitably militaristic and James Naughton and Ron Harper as the two astronauts - the wise-cracking Pete Burke and the homesick Alan Virdon - tie everything together nicely! And yes, I've still got a thing for James Naughton!

The series is based on the Planet of the Apes movie starring Charlton Heston, but differs in one major aspect - the humans can talk. Mute and almost savage humans worked extremely well for the movie, but would have been disastrous for the series. So the humans are intelligent, own farms and generally act as servants to the apes, thereby allowing the astronauts to interact with and be aided - or foiled! - by them! The episodes themselves follow a familiar pattern, with the heroes generally encountering some problem or other, either caused by themselves or by someone they have just met. By the end of the episode, the problem has been resolved and the heroes jog off into the sunset, ready for the next adventure! This was a familiar formula used by many TV shows at the time and was very popular. However, it gave no opportunity for character development or an effective plot, so probably wouldn't be to everyone's liking today. Sometimes, though, I'm quite happy to just sit back and let the TV simply entertain me for a couple of hours and Planet of the Apes is perfect for this!

In conclusion, if you remember Planet of the Apes fondly, as I do, then don't hesitate to buy the boxed set. You won't be disappointed. Especially if you're a fan of James Naughton!

PLANET OF THE APES [Complete Boxed 4 DVD TV Series]

Transfer quality to DVD is excellent. Several episodes on each DVD. [4 DVDs in all]Reminds me of my youth!Easy viewing. Sit down, have a few beers and enjoy.

One thing I noticed, was that compared to today, the series has no immorality, gratuitous violence, or swearing. Even my 11 year old son began to sit down and watch it. My wife who has never seen it before, well, instead of taking an hour or so to do the ironing, took a bit longer!

Back in those days, there was nothing like it [except P. A. movies] on TV. It was fantastic for its time. If you want to sit down with your family and not worry, I'd recommend scooping up a bargin on ebay or buying the box set [complete series on 4 DVDs in one box].

It's very tame by todays standards, no special-special effects, but the story lines are good.

Any way, thanks for reading.

Best wishes to all.

I was a keen fan of the five Apes movies in the '60s and '70s and watched the short-lived TV series in the mid '70s, mainly for the acting talent of Roddy McDowall. The TV series was distinctly different from the films and held less attraction for me. As a consequence, when the box set was released I was reluctant to buy it. Seeing it on Ebay and being able to obtain it at a much reduced price tipped the balance. The transaction was smooth and the item arrived swiftly and in near-perfect condition. On viewing the discs I realised that I had never seen them in colour before, and some episodes were entirely new to me. Fourteen hours of quality viewing brought a nostalgic glow (and made me think that getting more TV box sets via Ebay was the way forward). The purchase was a real bargain, for the enjoyment it afforded me ... and of course I have it to keep for as long as I desire. I'm off to look for more box set bargains!