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Poster for Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Seen it?

1971 | 98 min | Action, Science Fiction

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, though it had a lukewarm 6.4 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for sci-fi fans and action fans. If you loved Planet of the Apes or Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Mind-bending.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 1 hr 38 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

The world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a spacecraft. Intrigued by their intelligence, humans use them for research - until the apes attempt to escape.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.4 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $12 million worldwide on a $3 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 143K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Don Taylor

  • Roddy McDowallCornelius
  • Kim HunterDr. Zira
  • Bradford DillmanDr. Lewis Dixon
  • Natalie TrundyDr. Stephanie 'Stevie' Branton
  • Eric BraedenDr. Otto Hasslein
  • William WindomThe President
  • Sal MineoDr. Milo
  • Albert SalmiE-1
  • Jason EversE-2
  • John RandolphCommittee Chairman