The fourth in the Apes series looks at the seeds of rebellion from the end of Escape blossoming into full flower. Armando (Ricardo Montalban), a circus owner and protector of Cesar (Roddy McDowell), the son of the time-traveling apes, Cornelius and Zira, arrive in a big city under heavy police surveillance. When Cesar blurts out curses at humans mistreating ape slaves, Armando has to scramble to cover up what could be a fatal slip. Interrogated by Inspector Kolp (Severn Darden), Armando jumps out a window to his death rather than divulge Cesar’s true identity. Cesar ends up bought at auction by dictatorial Governor Breck (Don Murray), secretly begins his insurrectionist activities, but is soon discovered to be the talking ape. Breck orders his death but a sympathetic human (Hari Rhodes) helps Cesar escape. Cesar then ignites his revolution in earnest, with dire consequences for the oppressors.
“J. Lee Thompson’s direction furiously propels the action in a compact chromium-and-glass setting – and wait till you see that last battle royal.” – Howard Thompson, The New York Times
“An allegorical fable of fascism and slavery, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes is the best of the four sequels in the hugely successful APES series, as well as being the darkest and most violent.” – TV Guide
