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The Making of Planet of the Apes
In celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the 1968 science fiction cult classic film the Planet of the Apes, a handsomely designed commemorative volume full of rich, behind-the-scenes detail and exclusive, never-before-seen photographs and illustrations.
Based on Pierre Boulle’s novel La Planete de Singes, the original Planet of the Apes was one of the most iconic films of the 1960s. Starring Hollywood stalwarts Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell, the movie captivated audiences and sparked a franchise that included eight sequels, two television series, and a comic strip. Now, five decades after its theatrical release, New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Rinzler tells the thrilling story of this legendary Hollywood classic—a film the book’s author thought would be impossible to make.
With a foreword by Fraser Heston, Charlton Heston’s son, The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is an entertaining interactive experience that transports readers to the elusive alternate earth ruled by apes, bringing to life memorable characters such as Cornelius, Zira, Dr. Zaius, and George Taylor, the human astronaut whose fate becomes entwined with their lives. Jonathan Rinzler recreates how some of the greatest talents in Hollywood transformed the French novel to the big screen, drawing on material from a variety of sources, including early publications and interviews, Fox and Warner Bros.’ studio archives, and records from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is illustrated by a wealth of artwork, ephemera, and never-seen-before imagery, including rare journal pages and sketches from Charlton Heston’s private collection, official color and black-and-white photographs, posters, lobby cards, and licensed material and merchandise. Meticulously designed to capture the look and atmosphere of the film, the book contains numerous spreads, each which tells a specific story. This keepsake volume also features exciting, removable interactives.
Comprehensive in scope, The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is the definitive look at the original film available and is a must for fans, film buffs, and collectors.
Based on Pierre Boulle’s novel La Planete de Singes, the original Planet of the Apes was one of the most iconic films of the 1960s. Starring Hollywood stalwarts Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell, the movie captivated audiences and sparked a franchise that included eight sequels, two television series, and a comic strip. Now, five decades after its theatrical release, New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Rinzler tells the thrilling story of this legendary Hollywood classic—a film the book’s author thought would be impossible to make.
With a foreword by Fraser Heston, Charlton Heston’s son, The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is an entertaining interactive experience that transports readers to the elusive alternate earth ruled by apes, bringing to life memorable characters such as Cornelius, Zira, Dr. Zaius, and George Taylor, the human astronaut whose fate becomes entwined with their lives. Jonathan Rinzler recreates how some of the greatest talents in Hollywood transformed the French novel to the big screen, drawing on material from a variety of sources, including early publications and interviews, Fox and Warner Bros.’ studio archives, and records from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is illustrated by a wealth of artwork, ephemera, and never-seen-before imagery, including rare journal pages and sketches from Charlton Heston’s private collection, official color and black-and-white photographs, posters, lobby cards, and licensed material and merchandise. Meticulously designed to capture the look and atmosphere of the film, the book contains numerous spreads, each which tells a specific story. This keepsake volume also features exciting, removable interactives.
Comprehensive in scope, The Complete Making of the Planet of the Apes is the definitive look at the original film available and is a must for fans, film buffs, and collectors.
- GenresNonfictionMedia Tie In
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2019
Planet of the Apes is one of my all time favourite films & this superb book tells the amazing story of how it all came together, from the novel to the screenplays (& there was a few of them!) to years (yes, years!) of pre-production, make-up tests, casting & much, much more.
J W Rinzler has put together an incredibly detailed account, not only of the filming but the years of preparation beforehand. There are excellent interviews with cast & crew & some truly outstanding photographs & artwork to accompany the text.
This is one of the most incredible books on how a classic film was made that I have ever read. I'm sure you'll go ape for this one!
J W Rinzler has put together an incredibly detailed account, not only of the filming but the years of preparation beforehand. There are excellent interviews with cast & crew & some truly outstanding photographs & artwork to accompany the text.
This is one of the most incredible books on how a classic film was made that I have ever read. I'm sure you'll go ape for this one!
August 24, 2019
This is not a book...it's a treasure, a box full of diamonds. It is a wonderful book...don't miss it!
July 6, 2025
THE MAKING OF THE PLANET OF THE APES was an astonishingly pleasant surprise for me. Right up front, I'm a huge fan of the original motion picture, and I thought it would be a wonderful keepsake of the film to have a "coffee table-sized book" brimming with a lot of cool pictures. Well, it certainly fulfilled that expectation, but it was so much more.
I am always intrigued by "behind the scenes" film books. Most are fun, although very few are "treasures." This one is a true gem. THE MAKING OF THE PLANET OF THE APES covers the complete journey in delightful detail, from the writing of the original book through the creation of the screenplay, from the defeating "pass" pronounced by studios (even with a big name like Blake Edwards originally agreeing to direct) to the preparations for filming, and then the making of the film itself with a large sampling of reactions and the aftermath.
There were so many revelations in the book that genuinely surprised me (writer Rod Serling did NOT originally conceive the famous iconic ending) that I could easily list 20 or so of them right now and feel secure that there were so many more awaiting the Reader's discovery that I wasn't Spoiling anything. These ranged from short and intriguing bios (such as about the artist who designed the famous 20th Century Fox spotlight logo ... a version of which opens the film) to how the "Ape" performers learned to speak inside their full-head make-up (which caused voices to distractingly echo around the head). Even in the Aftermath section, I'd always wondered what short-sighted person came up with the apocalyptic ending for BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES which could easily have ended the series. The answer literally caused my jaw to drop.
In addition to being packed with fascinating photos, drawings and information, writer Jonathan Rinzler maintains an extremely readable writing style that always left me excited to continue. Indeed, despite its length, I was very sorry to be finished with it.
This will seem strange, but I genuinely believe that the Reader does not need to be a fan of the film to enjoy the book. Having SEEN the film beforehand would definitely help to establish mental reference points. However, the story of this filmmaking journey was extremely involving and worthwhile on its own.
I am always intrigued by "behind the scenes" film books. Most are fun, although very few are "treasures." This one is a true gem. THE MAKING OF THE PLANET OF THE APES covers the complete journey in delightful detail, from the writing of the original book through the creation of the screenplay, from the defeating "pass" pronounced by studios (even with a big name like Blake Edwards originally agreeing to direct) to the preparations for filming, and then the making of the film itself with a large sampling of reactions and the aftermath.
There were so many revelations in the book that genuinely surprised me (writer Rod Serling did NOT originally conceive the famous iconic ending) that I could easily list 20 or so of them right now and feel secure that there were so many more awaiting the Reader's discovery that I wasn't Spoiling anything. These ranged from short and intriguing bios (such as about the artist who designed the famous 20th Century Fox spotlight logo ... a version of which opens the film) to how the "Ape" performers learned to speak inside their full-head make-up (which caused voices to distractingly echo around the head). Even in the Aftermath section, I'd always wondered what short-sighted person came up with the apocalyptic ending for BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES which could easily have ended the series. The answer literally caused my jaw to drop.
In addition to being packed with fascinating photos, drawings and information, writer Jonathan Rinzler maintains an extremely readable writing style that always left me excited to continue. Indeed, despite its length, I was very sorry to be finished with it.
This will seem strange, but I genuinely believe that the Reader does not need to be a fan of the film to enjoy the book. Having SEEN the film beforehand would definitely help to establish mental reference points. However, the story of this filmmaking journey was extremely involving and worthwhile on its own.
November 20, 2018
Absolutely brilliant book about the making of one of the seminal science fiction movies ever made. Informative and filled with illustrations I've never seen before. Well worth reading.
February 24, 2019
Richly illustrated and impeccably researched production history.
August 20, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Jonathan Rinzler's work. His books from the Star Wars books to the Aliens books show encyclopaedic detail, inciteful interviews and photos not seen before, which make these a regular read for me.
The latest of these Rinzler books for me is up to the usual very high standard. Lots of images, many not seen before, on a classic movie worth looking at. The interviews and research detail is as impressive as ever.
Sadly this may be the last of these books I get to read - Jonathan died in July 2021 of cancer. He leaves a fine legacy.
The latest of these Rinzler books for me is up to the usual very high standard. Lots of images, many not seen before, on a classic movie worth looking at. The interviews and research detail is as impressive as ever.
Sadly this may be the last of these books I get to read - Jonathan died in July 2021 of cancer. He leaves a fine legacy.
August 4, 2024
A thorough analysis of the making of the original Planet of the Apes film, with backgrounds of the author, producer, director and writers. As expected it details the make-up challenges, but was a surprise to learn of the script changes from concept to finished film (however this does seem to be the norm, after reading Rinzler's experiences with the Star Wars film). If anything it did seem a little disjointed at times.
April 2, 2019
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of the original "Planet of the Apes", this is the book every Apes fan has been waiting for! Packed with behind-the-scenes photos, anecdotes, factoids, etc., this is a treasure, both for its obvious fondness for the movie, but also as detailed historical document of Hollywood film making. It ranks right up there with classics like Stephen E. Whitfield's "The Making of Star Trek" and the Jerome Agel's "The making of Kubrik's 2001".
March 23, 2019
I have waited 50 years to read this book. It is a wealth of history in the making of a masterpiece of a film. It’s a great read, but a heavy table-top book and very much worth the price.
December 28, 2019
Phenomenally thorough and fascinating book on the making of the classic film, the original Planet of the Apes. JW Rinzler again digs deep into archival materials, interviews, and other primary sources to tell an exhaustive making of this seminal film.
While some of Rinzler’s making-of film books (like his series on the original Star Wars trilogy and the series of Indiana Jones films) lean in to the dispassionate, clear-eyed documentarian style, this book departs somewhat from that, showing some of his genuine love for this influential film.
This book was a delight, and Rinzler keeps setting the bar high for works about the creative work of filmmaking, highlighting every aspect of production, from writing, to art direction, makeup, and acting. I study closely his attention to storytelling detail in my own nonfiction works.
Highly recommended for students of film history and fans of the Planet of the Apes.
While some of Rinzler’s making-of film books (like his series on the original Star Wars trilogy and the series of Indiana Jones films) lean in to the dispassionate, clear-eyed documentarian style, this book departs somewhat from that, showing some of his genuine love for this influential film.
This book was a delight, and Rinzler keeps setting the bar high for works about the creative work of filmmaking, highlighting every aspect of production, from writing, to art direction, makeup, and acting. I study closely his attention to storytelling detail in my own nonfiction works.
Highly recommended for students of film history and fans of the Planet of the Apes.
February 13, 2025
This book was very interesting. It gave a ton of insight into the making of a motion picture and all that it involves. I generally did not know all the moving parts that would go into making a movie of this variety. I really enjoyed this book.
May 12, 2025
Sometimes fascinating
Sometimes fascinating and sometimes way too much information, especially about all the makeup. The most fascinating part of the book for me was the final section talking about the response to the film and the film's on-going legacy.
Sometimes fascinating and sometimes way too much information, especially about all the makeup. The most fascinating part of the book for me was the final section talking about the response to the film and the film's on-going legacy.
September 20, 2021
Big fan of Rinzler’s books and had no idea this one existed until reading about his recent death. One of the best I’ve read!
June 4, 2023
A very in depth look at the making of the greatest film ever made, I very much enjoyed this book!
January 7, 2025
The book was a treasure trove of information but at times was a tad boring going into every little detail. It's had great pics and a decent history of making the movie.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews