Most take Place in an Environment were Individuals are Struggling against Particular Circumstances that are Generally not their Own. Whether it's the 'Machine's Gone Wrong' or the 'Whole Planet's a Mess', they are Stories of Humanity being 'Humbled' by its own Inventiveness. Quite possibly, 'Humbled' could be Translated into 'Destroyed'.

There are some Distinct Differences in the Subjects of this Page, as you will see. I think the 'Glue that Binds Them' is the Message (Moral?) that "You Reap What You Sow" and other such Phrases!

So, Years later, I was Reluctant to watch the 'Re - Mastered' Version. Much to my Surprise I was Impressed. I think the Soundtrack & 'Colouring' had a lot to do with it. The Main thing, however, was the 'Original' Films Details & Scenery. Yes some of the 'Machines' did look decidedly Iffy! An even bigger Yes was the Buildings & the Robot 'Creating' Device - Pure Brilliance!

The Story Line is nothing Spectacular, by any Standards - it certainly would not be as 'Easy' to Overthrow a 'Ruling Elite'. I know because I have given this some Serious Contemplation. It is a Pity that a 'Fully Restored' Version is an unlikely event - barring Time Travel, of course. I, for one, would really like to see how Fritz Lang had Originally Intended it to look.

Definitely a Movie to see, if you can cope with some of the Soundtrack Numbers. It's probably Time for a new 'Re - Mastering', with perhaps, Firestarter by the Prodigy, for example.

Yul Brynner has Impressed me with His Diversity of Roles, Also a Gunslinger in the Magnificent Seven & a singing Ruler in the King & I.

In West World He manages to be be Truly Frightening with hardly a Word Spoken! And, Thankfully, He was not called upon to do any 'Song & Dance' Routine - Sorry Yul!

As with most things the Idea of a Pleasure Resort, where anything goes, Looks & Sounds Wonderful. No one gets hurt because the Place is Full of 'Robots'. How many Doom or Quake Players would Die for the Chance of a Real Life 'Shoot - em - up' rather than on a 3D Screen.

Of course, Virtual Reality, hadn't really been thought of at that point and if it doesn't appear very soon, West World, or similar, may well become a (the) Reality. This Film should be seen as a Warning to those who Think their 'Smart Enough' to Control What they Make - try 'Holo-Decks' instead (Safety Protocols Engaged, Naturally ;-)

The Sequel, Future World, was not quite to the Same Level of Intensity, they seldom are, this time they are Replacing World leaders with Replicas (similar to the far Superior Stepford Wives). I'm afraid. Still the Message is clear - if a Bald Gunslinger with Shining Eyes comes and asks you to "Draw!". Run like Hell, it's not to swap Artistic Techniques! And if you happen to start having Fantasies about him then there is no hope for you!!

The other Films in the Series were - Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes & Battle for the Planet of the Apes.

There was also a TV Series and an Animated Series.

Another Film which has had a 21st Century Makeover & a Musical in the Simpsons (for more on that particular family click HERE)

Next to Star Wars no other Set of Films has maintained a consistency of Quality & Story in my view. Admittedly Films 4 & 5 had kind of lost the edge, the Original Three were exceptionally well Scripted with (number 4) coming in close behind.

The Inevitability at the End of the Third Film made it difficult to do much with the Rest. This is a Problem Associated with 'Time Paradoxes' - I know, because it has already / will Occur - See?

I must say that Charlton Heston & Roddy McDowell were the 'High Points' for me. It was unusual, at that time to find Actors of that Quality to do something which seemed so 'Far Out'. If I remember correctly Roddy managed to Appeared in Four of the Five under various Guises - He was the One with the Hairy Body ;-)

When I saw the First Two Films I was wondering how they, the Author(s), were going to explain away the difficulties that Evolution would have presented in terms of Species Development. I was quite impressed with the Outcome; with one Reservation - the Humans at the End of Film 2.

I will say no more and allow any Fans or New watchers to make up their own minds. Don't take too long though, some Chimps, Sorry, Chimpanzees, have already learned Basic Sign Language!!! A Task that I am still working on for a while now (& still having to go back to the Reference Books from time to time).

The Effects in the latest Version of Planet Of The Apes were very impressive although the it 'felt' more akin to Battle For The Planet Of The Apes. An enjoyable watch though I'm going to stand by the Originals (surprised - I guess not ;-)

Sean Connery has often Surprised me with some of the Films He's Appeared in. My Favourite Performance has got to be Ramirez in the Highlander Films.

The Main Plot is concerned with Zed (Sean Connery), a 'Mortal Enforcer' for the God Zardoz, and His Confrontation with the 'Immortal Ruling Elite' who Live in a Protected Enclave. Even after watching it Twice it is not that easy to follow the Plot.

When the Story finally unfolds it becomes yet another Interesting 'Warning' on the Follies of Power & 'What Not to do With It' - especially if you happen to be 'Immortal'.

It's like the Problems that arise in 'Closed' Communities, the Extremely Rich and the Powerful when 'Other' People are seen as 'Less Desirable Examples of the Species'. Who's Sole Purpose is to Serve.

Primarily, Staleness, Lack of Development (Social & Personal) & a Severe Regime Designed to Discourage Dissidents. In Fact, almost any Power Structure has an Inherent Risk of these 'Diseases', just look around your own Political Environment.

Anyway, I Digress. The One Big Clue, the Name Zardoz, was One Bit of the Film I missed the First time round. It was, unfortunately for me, the Main Bit that it was Essential Not to Miss.

I will say that the Ending (Yes, the Ending - Again!) had a 'Rushed Feel' to it and was, to my mind, not entirely Necessary. Maybe if there had been another 10 minutes and, perhaps, a Voice - Over Epilogue (I don't Advocate Them very often) I wouldn't have been making this Criticism (who Knows? ;-)

It also Appealed to me for its Environmental Message, you could almost imagine Finding People Living in Tunnels Underneath.

The Story takes place in a Space Greenhouses where the Last of Earth's Greenery is kept. The Decision is made to Decommission them and the 'Last Eco - Warrior' makes his Stand.

Although I wouldn't advocate some of his 'Activities' in Defence of the Ship, I certainly would take 'Action' if put in those Circumstances. Yes, I know it's only a Story - I think the Governments of Earth wouldn't even bother to try & Save a few Hundred Trees, let alone Build a Ship for them - so there!

The Story, despite the Sixties 'Look' to the Scenery & Clothing & including the incredibly cute Robots (R2D2 shame on you, ET - EaT your Red Flashing Heart out) makes this One of the few Movies to evoke a 'Weepy' Response from me. The Other One being The Elephant Man (it takes a lot to get a Tear from me).

The Film, in my view, was let down by the Ending (Again!) & would have made more Sense if it had stayed with the Book's more 'Logical' Outcome. I won't actually Write down what the Ending was in either Examples. Watch, Read & Compare them for yourselves & make your own Decision.

The Series, in particular, was not a particularly engrossing Story. I must Confess that its Main Appeal for me (remember I was in My Unenlightened Teens) was the Skimpy Clothing and the Odd Special Effect.

I suppose the Reason I mention Logan's Run at all, is that the Basic Idea was Sound. Enforced Euthanasia is one Potential Solution to the 'Ageing Population', not that I would Advocate it in any way. Be sure that there are some out there who have though. Let them be the first to try it!