How a low-budget sequel to a sci-fi classic ended by destroying the entire planet.
In short: When 20th Century-Fox slashed the budget for the sequel to Planet of the Apes, they inadvertently created a nihilistic cult classic. By shifting the focus from social commentary to a desperate, apocalyptic finale, the film abandoned the franchise's intellectual roots for a shocking, world-ending conclusion that stunned audiences in 1970.
Released on May 26, 1970, Beneath the Planet of the Apes faced significant production hurdles. With the studio suffering from recent box-office failures like Hello, Dolly!, the budget was cut from $5 million to $2.5 million. Director Ted Post, who took over from Franklin J. Schaffner, initially objected to the script for lacking a clear point, eventually collaborating with star James Franciscus to rewrite scenes. The film’s sets, including the mutants' council chamber, were repurposed from previous studio productions to save costs.
The narrative follows astronaut Brent, who arrives in the year 3955 searching for the original protagonist, Taylor. He discovers a subterranean society of telepathic humans who worship a cobalt-cased 'Alpha Omega' doomsday bomb. This weapon, capable of igniting the atmosphere, was suggested by Charlton Heston, who agreed to reprise his role only if his character was killed off. Heston’s participation was limited to just eight days of filming, with his salary donated to charity.
Critical reception was polarized. While some reviewers like Kevin Thomas praised its timely toll of doom, others, including A. H. Weiler, dismissed it as juvenile. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a financial success, grossing $19 million in the U.S. and Canada. It remains a strange artifact of 1970s cinema, blending discordant musical scores—including a hymn to the 'Bomb Almighty'—with a bleak, nihilistic ending that physically destroyed the entire planet, effectively closing the chapter on that specific timeline.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Beneath the Planet of the Apes
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