Burke (solid James Naughton) and Virdon (the equally sturdy Ron Harper) are captured in a fishing village that uses humans as slave labor. If they fail to prove their worth as fishermen, Burke and Virdon will be sacrificed to the sharks, who are considered to be gods by the residents of the village. Director Don McDougall relates the absorbing story at a steady pace and puts a welcome emphasis on character over the usual chase format that this series often adhered to. Robert W. Lenski's interesting script offers an intriguing depiction of the ruthless laws and customs that govern ape culture as well as neatly explores the theme of loyalty with Galen (the always excellent Roddy McDowell) doing his best to once again get his friends out of a jam. The sound acting by the capable cast holds it all together: Roscoe Lee Browne contributes a lively performance as hearty overseer Hurton, veteran character actor John McLaim has a good substantial part as expendable old man Gahto, and Jay Robinson chews up the scenery with delightfully hammy relish as the powerful Bandor. Earle Hagen's robust score hits the rousing spot. An enjoyable show.
5 Reviews
Virdon and Burke become fishermen
Tweekums5 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As our trio walk along a beach they see a man tied to raft at sea; Burke and Virdon swim out and rescue him but instead of expressing gratitude he is distressed as he was meant to be a sacrifice to the sea gods. Galen looks after the man while the two humans go to see the fishing village he came from. Here they are quickly captured and accused of stealing fish; not wanting to be shot they claim they came there because they want to be fishermen. Being behind on the quota the ape in charge says they can become fishermen if they pass a test
swimming underwater where the surface is on fire! They pass but that isn't the end of their problems; Galen turns up and, trying to help, claims they are actually his slaves who are inveterate liars. Hurton; the chief ape on the village, says they must face a trial by the Sea Gods
the sharks that swim close offshore!
In many ways this episode looked as if it was going to be a rehash of 'The Good Seed' but featuring fishermen rather than farming; there are similarities but not too many. It is true that our heroes are shown to be better at fishing that those who have done it all their lives and they know techniques that is massively increase their yield but the apes in charge here aren't particularly grateful they just want to get more fish to satisfy the demands of their superiors. The way the humans who are forced to fish for the apes accept that when they are past their prime they are sacrificed to the sea gods is interesting but not examined all that deeply. The action scenes are pretty good; the underwater views of the sharks may be stock footage but they look menacing and the fiery sea looked great; no doubt if it were remade today it would be CGI but here they clearly put petrol on the water and burnt it. While this obviously isn't a comedy there are a few laughs to be had; most notably Galen's efforts to get his friends freed which seem to put them in more danger. The cast do a solid job and anybody who enjoys seeing Virdon and Burke without their shirts should be pleased as they spend almost the entire episode topless. When we get to the end it does seem a bit sudden and their escape is surprisingly easy.
In many ways this episode looked as if it was going to be a rehash of 'The Good Seed' but featuring fishermen rather than farming; there are similarities but not too many. It is true that our heroes are shown to be better at fishing that those who have done it all their lives and they know techniques that is massively increase their yield but the apes in charge here aren't particularly grateful they just want to get more fish to satisfy the demands of their superiors. The way the humans who are forced to fish for the apes accept that when they are past their prime they are sacrificed to the sea gods is interesting but not examined all that deeply. The action scenes are pretty good; the underwater views of the sharks may be stock footage but they look menacing and the fiery sea looked great; no doubt if it were remade today it would be CGI but here they clearly put petrol on the water and burnt it. While this obviously isn't a comedy there are a few laughs to be had; most notably Galen's efforts to get his friends freed which seem to put them in more danger. The cast do a solid job and anybody who enjoys seeing Virdon and Burke without their shirts should be pleased as they spend almost the entire episode topless. When we get to the end it does seem a bit sudden and their escape is surprisingly easy.
The episode with the most "beefcake"
dinky-48 November 2006
The second of two episodes written for the "Apes" series by Robert Lenski, this one -- like the even better "The Good Seeds" -- provides ample opportunities for Ron Harper and James Naughton to display their manly physiques. In fact, aside from a few scenes in the early going, they spend the entire episode stripped to a pair of shorts which, while not exactly snug, are nonetheless suitable for swimming.
The plot, like "The Good Seeds," succeeds because it substitutes character and story for the usual "chase" ingredients, and like that other episode, it involves the astronauts demonstrating to the apes a "new" form of technology. What's more, this episode benefits from an unusually good supporting cast: John McLiam as Gahto, the ever artful Roscoe Lee Browne as Hurton, and the hammy but enjoyable Jay Robinson as Bandor. Soap-opera actor Jim Storm pops up in a small role as Romar, Soma's husband, and, yes, he gets to go bare-chested, too.
The plot, like "The Good Seeds," succeeds because it substitutes character and story for the usual "chase" ingredients, and like that other episode, it involves the astronauts demonstrating to the apes a "new" form of technology. What's more, this episode benefits from an unusually good supporting cast: John McLiam as Gahto, the ever artful Roscoe Lee Browne as Hurton, and the hammy but enjoyable Jay Robinson as Bandor. Soap-opera actor Jim Storm pops up in a small role as Romar, Soma's husband, and, yes, he gets to go bare-chested, too.
A Shark's Tale
TheFearmakers2 May 2024
An episode that centers on a village of exploited humans used as fisherman - they venture into the shark-saturated ocean with spears, risking their lives for a catch that benefits the ape foreman, Roscoe Lee Brown...
And soon become one of... or, two of them - having to pass dangerous initiations, including swimming under fire, dodging sharks and landing a catch on the spear. Pre-JAWS, this forebodes the shark scare craze that would strike a year later, and has terrific moments and is one of the better episodes: getting down to bare-knuckle action. Galen, in trying to con Browne, has some fun. Even Virdon points out: "I didn't know he was that much of a ham." Character actor John McLiam co-stars as the McGuffin, but it's those sharks that, although obviously stock footage, make things work.
And soon become one of... or, two of them - having to pass dangerous initiations, including swimming under fire, dodging sharks and landing a catch on the spear. Pre-JAWS, this forebodes the shark scare craze that would strike a year later, and has terrific moments and is one of the better episodes: getting down to bare-knuckle action. Galen, in trying to con Browne, has some fun. Even Virdon points out: "I didn't know he was that much of a ham." Character actor John McLiam co-stars as the McGuffin, but it's those sharks that, although obviously stock footage, make things work.
Planet of the Bad Direction
zsenorsock1 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The only good thing about this episode is seeing Roscoe Lee Browne dressed as an ape. Hearing his voice coming out of an ape's mouth is funny and sad both at the same time. Mr. Browne must have wondered "I worked so hard to develop my craft so I can do THIS?". I think Roscoe Lee Browne is terrific--but this episode is not.
Director Don McDougall sloppily even loses track of screen direction at the end of this episode. After escaping from the apes in a small raft, our trio of stars land on the beach, and after some light hearted moments, run down the beach--in the direction they just escaped from, back to the apes! If they were forced to shoot in that direction because of the sun, they MIGHT have bothered to simply reverse the film so our heroes didn't run back towards the apes. But at this point in the series, the producers probably knew their show was as doomed as Burke and Virdon and nobody cared enough to bother.
Director Don McDougall sloppily even loses track of screen direction at the end of this episode. After escaping from the apes in a small raft, our trio of stars land on the beach, and after some light hearted moments, run down the beach--in the direction they just escaped from, back to the apes! If they were forced to shoot in that direction because of the sun, they MIGHT have bothered to simply reverse the film so our heroes didn't run back towards the apes. But at this point in the series, the producers probably knew their show was as doomed as Burke and Virdon and nobody cared enough to bother.
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