Astronauts Alan Virdon (hunky Ron Harper) and Peter Burke (handsome James Naughton) find themselves trapped on Earth in the year 3085 after passing through a time warp. They discover that apes now rule over mankind. Fortunately, they are befriended by benevolent chimp Galen (the always terrific Roddy McDowell). Director Don Weiss, working from a compelling story by Art Wallace, relates the involving story at a brisk pace and maintains a serious tone throughout. Harper and Naughton display a solid and engaging chemistry in the lead roles. The other recurring characters are nicely set up, chiefly Booth Colman as the wise Zaius and Mark Lenard as hawkish gorilla Urko. This episode further benefits from excellent contributions from veteran character thespians Royal Dano as scraggly and helpful fugitive Farrow, Woodrow Parfey as strict prefect Veska, and Biff Elliot as meek servant Ullman. Moreover, there's a neat very 70's central theme about the need to suppress the truth (shades of Watergate right there for sure). Gerald Perry's restless cinematography adds an extra bustling vitality. Lalo Schifrin's lively score does the rousing trick. A promising beginning.
7 Reviews
A solid introduction
Tweekums2 March 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Set ten years after the events in the film this episode introduces another pair of astronauts who have travelled through time to the 'Planet of the Apes'. Alan Virdon and Pete Burke are the two survivors of a three man crew and they have been rescued by a man named Farrow who takes them to his home; an old bomb shelter where they learn that they are on a future Earth rather than an alien world. When the ape authorities learn about the new arrivals they are worried that their presence could destabilise their own society; especially the humans who are looked on as inferior creatures who have always been inferior. Opinions are divided about what to do with the astronauts; some want them killed on sight others what them to be captured alive so they can be questioned. They are captured but a plot is soon put in place to kill them; this is foiled by a moderate ape called Galen who is then accused of treason. Virdon and Burke repay the favour by rescuing him and the trio go on the run
thus setting thing up for the rest of the series.
This episode proves to be a good introduction to the series; we are introduced to the key characters and learn about their situation in a way that doesn't feel like obvious exposition. This means one doesn't need to have seen the film to understand what is going on. In fact this isn't quite the same world as that depicted in the film; here the human population can speak and, based on this episode, aren't treated quite as badly as those in the film. We may not have actors of Charlton Heston's standing here but Ron Harper and James Naughton do well as Virdon and Burke respectively. Roddy McDowall, who featured in the films as Cornelius, returns, this time playing the friendly ape Galen. This was clearly made on a smaller budget than the film; we see a handful of apes looking to our protagonists rather than dozens but that doesn't detract from the story.
This episode proves to be a good introduction to the series; we are introduced to the key characters and learn about their situation in a way that doesn't feel like obvious exposition. This means one doesn't need to have seen the film to understand what is going on. In fact this isn't quite the same world as that depicted in the film; here the human population can speak and, based on this episode, aren't treated quite as badly as those in the film. We may not have actors of Charlton Heston's standing here but Ron Harper and James Naughton do well as Virdon and Burke respectively. Roddy McDowall, who featured in the films as Cornelius, returns, this time playing the friendly ape Galen. This was clearly made on a smaller budget than the film; we see a handful of apes looking to our protagonists rather than dozens but that doesn't detract from the story.
Lack of continuity in the series
WMCoughlin31 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This was an adequate first episode of a series, introducing the characters and establishing the plot the series would take. It was obvious from the opening scene, however, that there would be no continuity with the movies. One of the first things you see is a young ape with a pet dog, but in the movies, all dogs and cats died in the 1980s. Also, in the movies humans never used the word "astronaut" to the apes. Taylor described himself as an "explorer in space," while Brent only used the term to the mutants beneath New York City. Yet Zaius and Urko claim that previous humans called themselves "astronauts." These contradictions only increased in later episodes. Another question left unanswered in this episode is what would become of Galen if/when the astronauts were successful in finding a way back home.
Escape from Tomorrow?
Stebaer416 May 2015
Well they had to entitle it somehow?Yes Agreeably with other reviews It starts off as typically like the other ape installments like Planet of The Apes; "Beneath" and "Escape" with a typical space craft's landing in the 1st 2 one Astronaut dies upon landing like in this series episodes'opening while in the 3rd one of the 3 ape-o-nauts survives upon landing but still met an eventual sad ending like of Taylor's 2 other partners while the other became a vegetable short and to the point. Also in The first Pota Movie upon landing The 3 Man Astronaught's Lady Partner Stewart had died via aging to become an old lady & 2000 years older meaning the 3 others hadn't aged at all through The time warp but grew beards. But Back to This opening episode 1st they get rescued after being found by a human who left they're partner Jones behind because he'd died and upon being asked this.Then when one of them asked if there were humans on the High Council That man thought that was a real joke question.Later when this human tried to mislead the gorillas to help them escape and only to be shot when Virdon then asked them "Why'd you do this to that man when he was only helping us?"Then he was hit with the back of the gun.They were also surprised at humans revolting like never before.
Later on when Burke and Virdon had escaped Galen accidentally as he told shot the Gorilla only meaning to keep him from using the gun but didn't mean to kill him.Later Virdon told him while he was in his cell to step back so that the bomb wouldn't kill him but just break the lock.So that's how Galen got to be their friend and Fellow Fugitive.Some sources Like in the Book of "Harry and Wally's Favorite TV-Shows." indicate he may be a Descendant of Cornelius but maybe more realistically an Ancestor of Cornelius considering this is in the 31st century and Cornelius and Zira came out of The 40th Century through a Time warp and in The 21st century their Son "Caesar"or Milo as they named him,before he got his new name of Caesar for leading his crusade of apes as their Victor,and his son Cornelius had gotten murdered by Aldo.After which came the little or not known Peace time between "Battle",Yes in this they do have humans on the high council, and Episode One:Escape from Tomorrow.Of which I brought to Malibu Graphics'attention and they were just as annoyed by me as they were glad to have me there for them.Then in Boom Comics when they adapted Planet of the apes it opens up in 2680 and 10 years after in "Battle", when The Ape Law giver tells the story to an equal society of humans and apes,with in this a human in a ninja suit jumps down & kills the Ape Lawgiver which starts to diminish this little or not known peacetime with the apes and humans fighting among each other.
By the way the best example as to how they didn't do their homework upon writing this in this episode is that they show an ape boy with his dog of whom he calls Dog.Which brings to mind how in a Malibu graphic comic they showed some wolves in a story of which were taken in a bubble before the plague came and then were brought back after the plague ended that killed all cats and dogs but was harmless to humans and at first the apes were new pets but then made into slaves and with the help of machines to raise their intelligence's could follow orders but not talk until Caeser taught them how to.
Truly,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a."Ste" of Framingham,Ma.
Later on when Burke and Virdon had escaped Galen accidentally as he told shot the Gorilla only meaning to keep him from using the gun but didn't mean to kill him.Later Virdon told him while he was in his cell to step back so that the bomb wouldn't kill him but just break the lock.So that's how Galen got to be their friend and Fellow Fugitive.Some sources Like in the Book of "Harry and Wally's Favorite TV-Shows." indicate he may be a Descendant of Cornelius but maybe more realistically an Ancestor of Cornelius considering this is in the 31st century and Cornelius and Zira came out of The 40th Century through a Time warp and in The 21st century their Son "Caesar"or Milo as they named him,before he got his new name of Caesar for leading his crusade of apes as their Victor,and his son Cornelius had gotten murdered by Aldo.After which came the little or not known Peace time between "Battle",Yes in this they do have humans on the high council, and Episode One:Escape from Tomorrow.Of which I brought to Malibu Graphics'attention and they were just as annoyed by me as they were glad to have me there for them.Then in Boom Comics when they adapted Planet of the apes it opens up in 2680 and 10 years after in "Battle", when The Ape Law giver tells the story to an equal society of humans and apes,with in this a human in a ninja suit jumps down & kills the Ape Lawgiver which starts to diminish this little or not known peacetime with the apes and humans fighting among each other.
By the way the best example as to how they didn't do their homework upon writing this in this episode is that they show an ape boy with his dog of whom he calls Dog.Which brings to mind how in a Malibu graphic comic they showed some wolves in a story of which were taken in a bubble before the plague came and then were brought back after the plague ended that killed all cats and dogs but was harmless to humans and at first the apes were new pets but then made into slaves and with the help of machines to raise their intelligence's could follow orders but not talk until Caeser taught them how to.
Truly,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a."Ste" of Framingham,Ma.
Big Things Have Great Beginnings
TheFearmakers2 May 2024
Pilot episode of the television series based on the franchise of motion pictures involving two astronauts: older blond-haired Ron Harper and cool young dark-haired James Naughton aka Virdon and Burke, who land on a planet ruled by... you got it... talking apes. The beleaguered astronauts meet Roddy McDowall as Galen, a friendly chimp (Cornelius with a new name...
Galen was actually an assistant chimp in the original movie) helping them dodge gun-totting militaristic Gorillas while a local, Royal Dano, provides shelter and exposition about their situation. The suspenseful plot involves straight-line survival, setting up the series' template: Virdon, Burke and Galen are known fugitives who must be caught and it's General Urko, played by a fitfully hammy Mark Lenard, who heads up the chase - although it's the scientific orangutan, Zaius, who wants them alive: but for scientific reasons, which would lead to the same lethal conclusion.
Galen was actually an assistant chimp in the original movie) helping them dodge gun-totting militaristic Gorillas while a local, Royal Dano, provides shelter and exposition about their situation. The suspenseful plot involves straight-line survival, setting up the series' template: Virdon, Burke and Galen are known fugitives who must be caught and it's General Urko, played by a fitfully hammy Mark Lenard, who heads up the chase - although it's the scientific orangutan, Zaius, who wants them alive: but for scientific reasons, which would lead to the same lethal conclusion.
An average way to begin an average series
bensonmum21 March 2008
Warning: Spoilers
"Escape from Tomorrow" is the first episode in the Planet of the Apes television series that aired in 1974. As you might expect from a pilot episode, its main function is the quickly and effectively set-up the series and the episodes that follow. The basic plot of this episode - Alan Virdon (Ron Harper) and Pete Burke (James Naughton) are two astronauts who crash land on Earth some 1,000 years in the future. Centuries previous, man effectively destroyed his civilization allowing intelligent, talking apes to assume control. The pair of astronauts is imprisoned by apes for being a threat to their way of life and their system of beliefs. With the unintentional assistance of a sympathetic chimpanzee named Galen (Roddy McDowell), the humans escape and begin running for their lives.
Other than the initial series set-up and establishing who the characters are, there's really not much going on in this episode. Royal Dano is on hand in a small but thankless supporting role to provide Virdon and Burke some assistance and, more importantly, to provide exposition. Harper and Naughton actually play everything a little too constrained. I think if I discovered that I was marooned on a planet of talking apes, I would be a little more shocked and animated about the whole thing. Their reaction is a bit too laid-back. Fans of the movies will find several familiar scenes in this episode. There's the spaceship crash, the discovery by the humans of the talking apes, the meeting of the elders, the inevitable escape, and Roddy McDowell. Not a lot of creativity here, huh? If you were to compress the movie into about 30 minutes, you've basically got the pilot episode.
Other than the initial series set-up and establishing who the characters are, there's really not much going on in this episode. Royal Dano is on hand in a small but thankless supporting role to provide Virdon and Burke some assistance and, more importantly, to provide exposition. Harper and Naughton actually play everything a little too constrained. I think if I discovered that I was marooned on a planet of talking apes, I would be a little more shocked and animated about the whole thing. Their reaction is a bit too laid-back. Fans of the movies will find several familiar scenes in this episode. There's the spaceship crash, the discovery by the humans of the talking apes, the meeting of the elders, the inevitable escape, and Roddy McDowell. Not a lot of creativity here, huh? If you were to compress the movie into about 30 minutes, you've basically got the pilot episode.
One of the better episodes of a lame series
mhorg201816 February 2022
This series, if it had been an anthology or a series of TV movies, could have been great. Instead it was below average. No continuity with the movies at all; talking humans, dogs, mostly poor stories that had already, by 1974, been done to death in other series. The leads are decent, and it was nice to see the old ANSA spaceship again, but so many diverse ideas from the movies. This was doomed to failure.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
