Level 3 T.

V and Film Studies assignment

Production contexts
By Harry Burbidge
My two chosen films are:
Planet of the Apes (1968) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011).

1
2

Introduction
Over the last few years, different eras have affected and evolved the many aspects of filmmaking, from budgeting, audience trends to appropriate issues and messages needing to be
conveyed.
Today, we will be comparing how movements from both the alternative cinema era and
blockbuster era affected the production of Planet of the Apes (1968) and the reboot Rise of
the Planet of the Apes (2011).

1 undefined (undefined) Planet of the Apes | 1968 Classic 20th Century Fox Movies, Available at:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/cite2write/harvard.html (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

2Brad (July 11, 2014) Ape Fridays - Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Need To Consume, Available at:
http://www.needtoconsume.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/rise-of-planet-of-the-apes-4.jpg (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

Planet of the Apes (1968) occurred in the alternative cinema industry, where the block
booking process (Outlet distributing system ensuring profit to be made on anything
produced) was eradicated, guaranteeing less success with merchandising, exhibition sales
and profit.
As a result, fewer, but more successful films needed to be made to compete with the
growing popularity of T.V.
4

This meant artistically challenging narratives and wider creative consultation would be
required, including from independent productions, which studios became pressured to
support in the 1950s, as it allowed greater business flexibility and no longer needing to
bankroll a workforce.
Smaller companies were now able to earn more money, while bigger industries gained more
diverse and original production methods and ideas, rather than applying the same
conventions (e.g. same actor in horror films) to each genre of film (I.e. the block booking
process). This industry practice is known as Horizontal Integration.
5

Founder of APJAC Productions Arthur P. Jacobs came to 20th Century Fox to pitch Planet
of the Apes (1968), which 20th Century Fox agreed to invest in.
Horizontal Integration is used more so today, as media conglomerates now work with even
more division, effectively increasing their input value.
Whereas in Planet of the Apes (1968), 20th Century Fox only had APJAC Productions
making the film.
Although cheaper, creative techniques and consultation were restricted.
6
Whereas in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), 20th Century Fox partnered with Chernin
Entertainment, a company, which invests in technology and media companies in the U.S.A.
Investments included Weta Digital, a digital visual effects company, revolving around motion
capture, animation and modeling.

3 (Owain Milford

() Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) - TRT
3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

4 (Owain Milford

() Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) - TRT
3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

() Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

6 () Peter Chernin - Wikipedia, the free encylcopedia, Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Chernin (Accessed: 2nd
January 2016).
() Chernin Entertainment Names New President of Television | TVWeek, Available at:
http://www.tvweek.com/tvbizwire/2015/08/chernin-entertainment-names-new-president-of-television/ (Accessed: 2nd January
2016).

RatPac - Dune Entertainment, a motion picture financing company applied additional

financing too.

20th Century Fox gained more professional management of the films budget, preventing any
risks of the production running out of money, while applying high quality values (e.g. special
effects). Additionally, they gained more creative input from a larger majority of staff, as well
as expertise in production (e.g. more qualified lighting technicians). Thus allowing for high
quality output to meet current mainstream audiences desire for high quality cinema in many
aspects, from actors (more casting directors), special effects (multiple divisions concerned
with post production) and exciting locations (multiple investment and production related
staff).
8

However, in the Alternative Cinema era, production companies were not horizontally
integrated enough to spend a lot of money.
9
Production costs for Planet of the Apes (1968) were estimated to be over $10, 000, 000,
which neither studio in Hollywood or Europe wished to risk investing.
20th Century Fox insisted for changes to the Planet of the Apes (1968) script, to enable a
budget of around 5.8 million dollars.
As a result, prosthetic make up design and primitive costumes were applied to the ape
characters, giving a more realistically primitive appearance. Additionally, reducing costs and
earning it an award for Best costume design.
Audiences were not subjected to the kind of animation and effects in todays cinema era.
Therefore, audiences would have found the ape characters in 1968 to be very convincing
and unlike anything they had seen before in previous films. Thus feeling more compelled to
watch Planet of the Apes (1968).

7 () RatPac-Dune Entertainment - Wikipedia, the free encylcopedia, Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RatPacDune_Entertainment (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).
() RatPac-Dune Entertainment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/Ratpac-entertainment-logo.png (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

8 (Owain Milford

() Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) - TRT
3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

() Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

10

For the end scene where George Taylor sees the destroyed statue of liberty, a Matte
painting (art design overlaid onto a live action shot) was applied, giving the illusion of it
actually being on scene, instead of having to spend extensive money on a large scale
model. Once again lack of sophisticated effects in films during this era would have likely
intrigued audiences more into this effect, thus hopefully increasing its popularity and
memorability.
11

However, the wave of alternative cinema soon became disrupted by the emergence of
profitable block busters, containing simple narratives, with high quality acting, sophisticated
effects, exotic locations and grand soundtracks. As a result, more mainstream audiences
demanded high quality input in cinema.
12

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is estimated to have used a budget of $93, 000, 0000.
20th Century Fox had great freedom in positively influencing their production. The main
factors leading to this budget, included rich quality animation, big locations in San Francisco
(e.g. golden gate bridge), action sequences (e.g. Gorilla jumping onto helicopter) and
13
popular actors. (e.g. James Franco).
14

10

10 () Matte painting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matte_painting (Accessed:
2nd January 2016).

11

(Owain Milford () Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) TRT 3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

12 () , Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Planet+of+the+apes+1968+budget+ (Accessed: 15/01/2016).

13 (10/05/2011 5:12 am) 'Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes' Filmed In San Francisco (VIDEO) , Available at:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/05/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-san-francisco_n_919515.html (Accessed:
2nd January 2016).

Audiences would feel positively influenced and intrigued to watch the film, as the majority of
audiences like committing escapism by watching high quality entertainment and visually
pleasing films.
15

During the 21st Century, animation and special effects have taken a significant turn, which
have created more realistic and yet extraordinary effects. Audiences of today like to feel
more apart of the cinema experience, unlike the alternative era, where audiences watched
films purely for entertainment. Therefore, todays audiences like to be conveyed a realistic
vibe in todays films. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) met this need as the actors
portraying the apes wore motion capture suits, which transplanted their movements and
facial expressions onto a pre digitized character.
The digital visual effects company Weta Digital applied fur and muscle textures to give the
ape characters a realistically accurate appearance and anatomy.
16

14

() Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Movie Man Jackson | MovieManJackson | MovieMan Jackson, Available
at:https://moviemanjackson.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-gorilla.jpg (Accessed: 2nd January
2016).

15 Aaron Pull () Young People Are Passionate (and informed!) Movie Fans | Viacom International Insights, Available at:
http://internationalinsights.viacom.com/post/young-people-are-passionate-and-informed-movie-fans/ (Accessed: 2nd January
2016).

16

() Rise Planet Apes Motion Capture Andy Serkis Jpeg, Available at: https://meatgrinder.co/rise-planet-apes-motioncapture-andy-serkis-jpeg-rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-341926.html (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

As a result, the apes resemble a very convincing similarity to primates in real life.
Below is a comparison photo.
17

18

Therefore audiences feel more convinced that the ape characters are real, in
comparison to Planet of the Apes (1968) who looked more human like, and as a
result feel more compelled to want to watch the film.
In the Alternative Cinema era, there was little technology advancement (e.g. no
social media/mobile phones) and limits to exhibition methods.
Planet of the Apes (1968) included a trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=VjcpRHuPjOI) and posters.
In this era, the large majority of people would have likely spent more time going
outside due to lack of technology. Therefore, more likely to come across posters
and being reminded of the film wherever and whenever.

17 () comicvine.com, Available at: http://www.comicvine.com/forums/battles-7/batman-vs-caesar-rise-of-the-planet-of-theapes-695188/ (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

18 Kristina Cawthon Lang (November 21st 2011) Primate Factsheet: Chimpanzee (Pan troglyodytes) Taxonomy, Morphology
& Ecology, Available at: http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/chimpanzee (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

However, in the 20th Century, this would mildly advertise, as the majority of people
nowadays check out events on tablets/computers and social media. Therefore, being less
likely to notice the film through posters and more effectively through websites such as
YouTube or Facebook.
19

This allowed Rise of the Planet of the Apes to include varied marketing strategies, from a
film website and YouTube channel called Apes Will Rise, which featured viral videos from
20th Century Fox studio Library, showing clips of apes exhibiting human qualities (linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxqIITtTtU).
For example, a chimp using an AK - 47 and a gorilla standing up right, enforcing audience's
belief at how human like apes are and hopefully increasing our excitement toward Rise of
the Planet of the Apes (2011), due to the film's concept of Apes becoming the dominant
species being potentially realistic.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) was exhibited through varied media platforms,
including multi plex cinemas (multiple screen cinemas), D.V.D, blu-ray and even a digital
copy, allowing users to view on multiple android devices (e.g. tablets).
20

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) meanwhile created a fictional informative website
centered around the fictional Simian Flu disease.
Included was an informative video about the disease, its symptoms and history about the
spread, connecting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), giving an accurately realistic
vibe.
21
22

23

It also contains a Facebook page, where fictional updates are given on how many are
infected and counteract attempts to the disease.
This makes the audience feel a part of the story, as they can give comments on these
fictional updates.
19 () Apes Will Rise, Available at: https://www.youtube.com/user/apeswillrise (Accessed: 14th of January 2015).
20 () OPHA - Office of Public Health Awareness, Available at: http://www.simianflu.com/us/#!/know-the-symptoms (Accessed:
2nd January 2016).

21 () OPHA - Office of Public Health Awareness, Available at: http://www.simianflu.com/us/#!/know-the-symptoms (Accessed:

2nd January 2016).

22 () OPHA - Office of Public Health Awareness, Available at: http://www.simianflu.com/us/#!/know-the-symptoms (Accessed:

2nd January 2016).

23 () Simian Flu, Available at: https://www.facebook.com/SimianFlu/?fref=ts (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

This is effective as in today's era, as audiences wish to gain a more interactive experience
on current trends, such as films/T. V programs.

As well as special effects and engaging visuals, underlying themes and messages are
crucial too.
Planet of the Apes (1968) being in the alternative era, applied very controversial and
relevant themes.
24
Between the 1940s and 70s, social movements changed drastically, from war opposition,
diverse ethnicity acceptance and voting rights.
In Planet of the Apes (1968) the concept of apes being the dominant species (e.g. Gorillas
as guards and orangutans as politicians) and humans being inferior is very controversial.
25
George Taylor denies that apes are the superior beings and that there is a civilization of
superior humans still out on the planet earth.
However, it is revealed that the humans wiped themselves out in a nuclear war.
The apes represent minorities of people who at the time, we may not have thought to be
capable of doing particular things.
This may imply a subtext to audiences about how times have begun to change (I.e. new
morals and rights) and to accept them (I.e. minor ethnicities and females being able to do
the other things).
26

A wide range of counter cultures influences also occurred, including war opposition.

24

(Owain Milford () Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) TRT 3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

25 () Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

26 (Owain Milford

() Course: TRF0510F2 - BTEC Level 2 Extended Diploma in TV and Film (Creative Media Production) TRT 3007F2 - Prezi.com, Available at: http://estudy.wiltshire.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=35988 (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).)

In the ending of Planet of the Apes (1968), D.R Zaius reveals how an all out nuclear war
between the humans led to their demise. Later, George Taylor sees the destroyed statue of
Liberty and shouts You maniac. you doomed us all!
This enforces the current mainstream belief of how wrong war was and to hopefully prevail in
making more people consider the consequences of violent actions.
Social movements changed through the growing eras, as primates have shown capabilities
of being smarter than us.
Below is a video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAIGVT3N7B0
Thus the concept of Apes being the dominant species perhaps does not sound as ludicrous
as it did when the original Planet of the Apes (1968) came out.
Along with developing technology and medicine, this allowed for Rise of the Planet of the
Apes (2011) to take a more realistic approach to the apes evolution as the dominant
species.
Groundbreaking medical discoveries have shown potential to treat illnesses (e.g.
Alzheimer's).
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) uses the concept of a drug curing brain ailments, to
enhance Apes intelligence, which makes a logical reason for the apes becoming smarter and
eventually transform into the very human like creatures we saw in Planet of the Apes (1968).
27

Other social changes, include animal rights and cruelty opposition movements such as
P.E.T.A (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
28

In Planet of the Apes (1968), the ape characters were negatively represented.
However, due to opposing animal cruelty and testing, the reboot can favor the apes
conquest, at an emotionally pitiful level. For example, seeing Caesar (Andy Serkis) being
tortured by Dodge Landon (Tom Felton) (e.g. sprayed with water and shouted at), conveys
the sensitive issue of animal cruelty.
29
For example, the last ever circus Elephant named Anne in Britain was shown to be
constantly abused at Bobby Roberts Super Circus and kept in poor accommodation.
In Rise of the Planet of the Apes (211) a chimpanzee named Bright Eyes is shot dead after
escaping from her enclosure and shortly after, the other chimpanzees are euthanized.
In the prologue, the chimpanzees are captured in their jungle habitat by poachers, using
nets and crate boxes, to be delivered for testing.
Thus enforcing immediate pity for the characters, as being taken away from your home is a
frighteningly sad scenario, as well as awareness to how animals may be captured for testing.

27() About PETA | PETA UK, Available at: http://www.peta.org.uk/about/ (Accessed: 15/01/2016).
28

() Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

29 Chris Greenwood and Claire Ellicott (13:17 on the 12th of August 2015) Britain's last circus elephant, Anne: Battered,
kicked and stabbed | Daily Mail Online, Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370050/Britains-circus-elephantAnne-Battered-kicked-stabbed.html (Accessed: 15/01/2016).

30

In Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), the Apes pass on a lethal disease, known as the
Simian flu to the humans.
31
In the film, Will Rodman (James Franco) works for Gen-Sys, currently testing a viral based
drug, on Chimpanzees, to potentially cure Alzheimer based brain ailments (e.g.
inflammations and tumors).
During a drug test, a Gen-Sys employee becomes exposed and eventually dies.
At one point he sneezed blood over a neighbor, who took a flight abroad and seemingly
spread it to other people.
This enforces the dangers of how quick and easily diseases spread and the consequences
of animal testing.
The film also raises the issue of Alzheimer's disease and how upsetting and hard it can be
for people to live with.
32
Will Rodman (James Franco) lives with his father Charles Rodman (John Lithgow), affected
with Alzheimer's who has difficulty remembering things (e.g. what his son Will Rodman
does).
Later in the film, Charles Rodman attempts to drive the neighbor's car, thinking it is his own,
crashes it and gets harassed by the neighbor.
Charles Rodman at one point becomes confused and shouts at his carer, distressing her to
leave.
This conveys the side effects of Alzheimer's and the difficulties of living with people affected
with it too.
As well as important messages, the film needed to be given an appropriate rating, for
audiences to recognize its viewing suitability.
To appeal to the desired target audience, each film needed to be classified a rating, so
people would know whether or not it was acceptable to view.
Planet of the Apes (1968) was rated G, meaning all ages admitted, from children to adults.
However, because of Alternative Cinema being less coiled onto censorship, certain elements
of the film were unsuitable for younger audiences to view.
33
For example, the female character Nova wears a rather short drape costume, exposing her
legs and breasts mildly, being too graphic for young children.
Mild profanity including Damn, Hell and Goddamn, are included. This not too crude
language would still not be considered desirable for their young children to use.
At times there are intense scenes of the apes torturing the humans, who cry in pain.
30

() Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

31

() Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

32

() Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes (Accessed: 2nd January 2016). as well as from D.V.D source.

33 () Planet of the Apes (1968) - Parents Guide, Available at: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063442/parentalguide (Accessed:
15/01/2016).

Young children would likely find this upsettingly stressful.

34

In the 1980s, complaints arose about violence and gore in films.

As a result, new ratings were applied, including PG 13.
Nowadays there are many ratings, from PG, 12 and 18, allowing for parents to more easily
determine a films acceptability.
35

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is rated 12, meaning youths aged 12 and over are able to
view it.
Thus the scenes must be suitably appropriate for youths desire for action, but not be too
upsetting.
For example, in the fight scene between Caesar and a neighbor, shots of graphic injury
lasted approximately 2 seconds, helping to emphasize the perilous scenario, but not long
enough to read all of the graphic visuals.
After the fight, Caesar's face only contains thin lines of blood, rather than massive
penetrations of blood loss.
Therefore, audiences can be easily convinced of a brutal fight, but not be too upset by
graphic visuals.
Only mild offensive language such as Damn and Stupid are used once.

In the 20th Century, trends of film fans who collect posters, toys or even quote famous
dialogue pieces has successfully formed.
This allows for Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) to create a hype for fans of the original
film. To appeal to fan trends, Rise of the Planet of the Apes makes many references to the
original films.
36

For example, Will Rodman (James Franco) in Rise of the planet of the Apes (2011) named
Caesar's mother Bright eyes, which was the name George Taylor was given by Zira (Kim
Hunter) in Planet of the Apes (1968).
37
In Planet of the Apes 1968, George Taylor shouts the famous line Take your stinking paws
off me, you damn dirty ape!, which was used by Dodge Landon (Tom Felton), when Caesar
opposed him, in Rise of the Planet Of the Apes (2011).
In addition, there are characters including Caesar, who was an ape character in Battle for
the Planet of the Apes and Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), as well as an
orangutan character named Maurice, referring to an actor named Maurice Evans, who
portrayed D.r. Zaius (orangutan character) in Planet of the apes (1968).
34() Motion Picture Association of America film rating system, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_Picture_Association_of_America_film_rating_system (Accessed: 15/01/2016).

35 D.V.D source
36 () Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes (Accessed: 2nd January 2016). as well as from D.V.D source.

37 () Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

Despite Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) containing sufficient messages, the plot and
characters were not as sufficiently met or challenged enough for controversy.
38

The Alternative Cinema era called for challenging storylines, as well as characters.
Additionally, female rights became triggered.
39

In Planet of the Apes (1968), female actress Kim Hunter took on a positive, intellectual and
strong role, as the female ape Zira, a psychologist and veterinarian.
This character is a great minority in the film, as the majority of ape characters are superior
males.
40
Despite Ziras lack of authority in proving George Taylor to be capable of great intelligence
by her superior D.R Zaius, she rebels by hatching an escape plan to free George Taylor.
This may challenge audiences perception of female characters, who usually portray
defenseless characters.
Ziras character may represent the issue of equal rights, as the audiences are shown a
strong positive minority, perhaps imploring for minor ethnicities to be more accepted and
treated equally.
41
However, in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Will Rodman's partner Caroline Aranha
(portrayed by Freida Pinto), who despite exhibiting great intelligence (a Primatologist) and
morals (believing the experiment with apes to be wrong), is the only main female character.
She does not pass the Bechdel test, due to no interaction with other female characters and
is mainly centered upon as Will Rodmans love interest.
The character is more applied for male and romantic based appeal and does not inflict a
very positive effect on audiences, due to implying females to only serve in males happiness
and not able to do things on their own as we see only see Caroline Aranha follow Will
Rodman and suggest ideas, rather than taking matters into her own hands.
This may lower female audience's self esteem into what they can and cannot do.
This implies how blockbusters of todays era are more centered on mainstream appeal (I.e.
relationships), rather than controversially challenging audiences, unlike Planet of the apes in
1968. Zira played a key role in Planet of the Apes (1968), as she showed willingness to
prove George Taylor capable of intelligence and helped George Taylor to escape from his
enclosure.

38

() Women's rights in the 1800's America, Available at: http://hubpages.com/relationships/Womens-rights-in-the-1800sAmerica (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

39

() Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

40

() Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes
(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

41

() Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise_of_the_Planet_of_the_Apes (Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

Despite there needing to be challenging characters, the media industry both at the time of
alternative cinema and the blockbuster era needed to incorporate star's popular to their
target audience and of whom would match their character.
42

In the alternative cinema era, Charlton Heston starred in Ben Hur and The 10
commandments, as the main hero in action with courageous bravery, enabling for him to
effectively impersonate the role of George Taylor, who tries to escape from the apes.

43

Maurice Evans portrayed the antagonist Henry Springer Elcott in Kind Lady (1951),
portraying a deceitful persona, which would set him a considerable acceptance for the
character of D.R Zaius, who denies George Taylor any freedom and treats him cruelly.
However, these actors were all adults, which despite many young audiences looked up to,
would not appeal to the currently growing youth generation, who would want more trends
centered around their interest, including youth aged characters.
However, in the 20th Century, films have targeted wider audiences, including youths and
young adults.
In Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), two cast members included James Franco (aged
37) and Tom Felton (aged 28), therefore appealing to the youth age range, as they have
starred mainly in films around PG- 13 (Tom Felton - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
part 2 James Franco - Spider man).
Andy Serkis portrayed Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011).
Audiences would immediately appeal to Andy Serkis playing this role, due to knowing him to
be able to give a realistic creature like performance, yet with emotions easily conveyed (e.g.
Gollum in Lord of the rings). Therefore, his impersonation of Gollum would be considered an
appropriate fit for Caesar's character.
James Franco meanwhile portrays the character Will Rodman, whom is a scientist
developing the cure for Alzheimer's and adopts Caesar.
42

() Charlton Heston - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlton_Heston

(Accessed: 2nd January 2016).

43 () Maurice Evans (actor) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Available at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Evans_(actor) (Accessed: 15/01/2016).

44

James Franco usually portrays extraverted and flirtatious characters (e.g. This is the end).
These qualities may have seemed a problematic fit for Will Rodmans character, who is
intelligent, modest and morally conscious. For example, he forms a great attachment to the
adopted Ape Caesar, as well as his father. He shows determination in wanting to develop the
cure for Alzheimers, but refuses to work on it, after learning the deadly side effects.
Thus intriguing audiences into wanting to see how effectively James Franco is able to pull of
this new personae, which audiences have rarely see him do.
45

Tom Felton, who portrayed Mouthfoy in the Harry Potter trilogy, plays Dodge Landon, a
worker at a chimp sanctuary, who bullies and makes fun of the apes.
As well as British appeal, Tom Felton would prove to impersonate a matching personae to
Dodge Landon due to his character exhibiting familiar traits of the renowned character
Mouthfoy, therefore making him a mutually perfect fit.
This is due to his character making fun of Harry Potter as well as bullying him, of which
Dodge Landon does to the apes.
Conclusion
Both the original and reboot Planet of the Apes (1968) have seen significant differences in
production contexts, which have been greatly affected by the era they were made in.
Planet of the Apes (1968) marked the beginning of distinct cinema, where new trends and
issues were addressed, while Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) has been able to apply a
more realistic and technologically advanced tone to the engaging concept from 1968.

Both eras have demonstrated many pros and cons.

Planet of the Apes (1968) challenged its audience through different social issues and
positive representation of minorities.
However, its lack of exhibition methods meant it could not reach out to wider audiences,
while the films controversial rating misled audiences into watching something they deemed
appropriate for young children.
Despite Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) having a more secure classification and
exceptional set of messages and themes, it did not challenge its audiences, due to minority
characters not being positively represented.
Planet of the Apes (1968) challenged its audience through controversial narratives and
characters, while Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) was a blockbuster focusing more on
earning profit by incorporating mainstream appeal of high quality action and stars, rather
than challenging its audience.

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