Battle for The Planet of the Apes (1973) (w/ Gabe)

Today, Matt & Todd are joined by guest Gabe Crate to explore the original Planet of the Apes saga one last time (sorta, the movies, anyway).Released in 1973, Battle for the Planet of the Apes is the fifth and final film in the series, directed by J. Lee Thompson (who also helmed Conquest) and starring:Roddy McDowall as CaesarClaude Akins as AldoNatalie Trundy as LisaAustin Stoker as (Bruce) MacDonaldWhit Bissell Award winners Paul Williams (as Virgil) and Lew Ayres (as Mandemus)Arguably the weakest entry in the franchise, with the least new ground to cover—but also, maybe, the most approachable. On one hand, it feels like an extended TV episode designed to tie up loose ends for the franchise faithful. On the other, it’s a well-directed, well-acted film with solid set pieces and the most hopeful ending of the series.Sure, the ideas and budget may have been running low, but the performances pull you in and keep you there—right up to the confusing finale. Maybe it deserved better. But this is what we got, and honestly? It’s an awful lot of fun.The fifth and final end to the story. Once and for all. No bombs. No bullets. Good night, nurse.That is… except for the TV series. And the animated series.So maybe don’t lose your tack and saddle just yet.Follow Matt:Matt has over 100+ on LetterboxdYou can reach out on Bluesky:@MovieMattSirois Terrible movies often find him, even under under the alias Marcus at ⁠⁠⁠Movie Asylum of the Weird, Bad and Wonderful.Follow who we follow:⁠⁠⁠Once Upon a Geek⁠⁠⁠ and  ⁠⁠⁠The Fade Out Podcast⁠