Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Movie Script
Come, come.
- Are you authorized to dress him like that?
- Oh, yes, sir.
- A circus ape, huh?
- The only one to have been trained
as a bareback rider
in the entire history of the circus.
- Circuses are past history.
- Not while I live and breathe.
- All right, Seor Armando. Go ahead.
- Thank you.
Come, come.
Come, come.
- Did I do all right?
- Yes, yes, yes.
But try to walk a little more
like a primitive chimpanzee.
Your arms should move
up and down from the shoulder... like so.
Yes, that's better.
After 20 years, you've picked up
evolved habits from me.
That could be dangerous. Even fatal.
- Armando, I don't understand.
- Listen to me, Caesar.
There can be only
one talking chimpanzee on Earth.
The child of the two talking apes,
Cornelius and Zira,
who came to us years ago out of the future
and were murdered for fear that one distant
day apes might dominate the human race.
Yeah, but outside of you,
nobody even knows I exist.
And we must keep it that way,
for the fear remains.
The mere fact of your existence would be
regarded as a great threat to mankind.
Come. Come.
Attention, this is the watch commander.
Disperse apes gathering in the mall.
Repeat: disperse apes gathering in the mall.
Take the serial number of each offender
and notify Ape Control immediately.
Repeat: take the serial number
of each offender
and notify Ape Control immediately.
Their masters are to be cited and fined.
Repeat: their masters
are to be cited and fined.
Attention. Attention.
This is the watch commander.
Attention. Attention. Disperse unauthorized
ape gathering at the foot of ramp six.
Repeat: disperse unauthorized
ape gathering at the foot of ramp six.
No citation or fine in this instance.
Repeat: no citation or fine in this...
But how did it happen?
Go! Go!
No! No!
Go! You go!
- But you said humans treated apes like pets.
- They did, in the beginning.
They've made slaves of them!
They all died within a few months,
eight years ago.
Every dog and cat in the world.
It was like a plague.
The disease that killed them was a virus
brought back from space by an astronaut.
- Didn't the disease affect humans?
- We were immune.
And so, it was discovered, were simians,
even the smallest ones.
That's how it began.
Humans wanting little household pets
to replace the ones they had lost.
Then, when people realized how quick
they were to learn, how easy to train,
the pets became larger,
and larger, until now...
It's monstrous.
Now you understand why I've kept you away.
Yes, Lisa.
A Young Queen Falls for Mrs Riley.
No!
Lisa.
Yes?
Could you possibly be so kind
as to display it in your window?
- When I have the time.
- Thank you.
The labor demonstration on the South Plaza
will be terminated in ten minutes.
Repeat: the labor demonstration
on the South Plaza
will be terminated in ten minutes.
Thank you, Frank.
Funny. Now that I know they
won't kill me, I don't enjoy them.
Well, for heaven's sakes! A circus!
Home, Lisa.
- Yes?
- Oh, I was wondering,
would you be kind enough
to display a couple of these posters?
- Stop it!
- No, Zelda! No!
Home, Zelda.
I'm so sorry, Mrs Riley. I'll have
someone to comb you out in a minute.
I wanna be combed out now.
I have a luncheon.
- Thursday, then.
- Thursday.
I... I forgot the waiter
and I'm all out of raisins.
- Take mine.
- Thank you.
You're overtipping.
No! No! No!
And I told them to condition him to fire.
Attention. The labor demonstration
on the South Plaza
will be terminated in five minutes.
Repeat: the labor demonstration on the
South Plaza will be terminated in five minutes.
Failure to comply with this order can result
in a one-year suspension
of your right to bargain collectively.
- What's his job?
- He's a messenger.
For the governor, so get!
No! No! No!
- Stop that at once! All of you!
- Yes, sir, Mr MacDonald. We were just...
I saw what you were doing. Now sedate
the animal and get him out of here.
- Who the hell's that?
- The governor's number-one assistant.
- He love apes or something?
- Don't it figure?
Hold him.
Lousy human bastards!
Who said that?
I did.
He's a performing ape for my circus.
- A talking ape?
- No! No, no.
- No, that's impossible. It was I who spoke.
- It didn't sound like your voice.
Yell ''Lousy human bastards.''
- That's not what I said.
- That's what I heard.
Now, look, mister,
you yell ''Lousy human bastards.''
- Lousy human bastards.
- We said yell!
Lousy human bastards!
- Yeah, yeah. Could be.
- I don't think so.
- It's right. The ape spoke.
- Yeah!
No! No, they're mistaken.
I admit my behavior was inexcusable
and I am deeply sorry.
I think we better take him
to headquarters for interrogation.
Guard!
Move him on.
- Armando, forgive me.
- Oh, no, no.
You only said aloud what I was thinking.
I'm sorry. I was so angry.
I might have bluffed it through
if you hadn't run away.
Now they suspect you
of understanding all that was said.
- Armando, let's go back to the circus.
- No, no, no.
- Oh, no, please.
- No, that's the first place they'll look.
Here's what we'll do. I'll go to the police.
- Oh, no, no!
- It's the only way!
I'll say that... that I couldn't find you.
That... you've run away before.
- That big cities frighten you.
- But, Armando, where would I go?
You wait right here!
If this works, I'll be back by nightfall.
- But what if they don't let you go?
- Oh, they will. They will.
But just in case, if I am not back by then...
Now, these steps go down
to a tunnel that leads to the harbor.
Cargoes of apes are frequently
unloaded at night.
- You must try to infiltrate one of them.
- But, Armando...
Apes imported from overseas arrive naked,
so you'll have to get rid of these clothes.
- Well, I don't want to.
- We must have an alternate plan!
Right now, the only safe
hiding place for you
is among your own kind.
I shouldn't be long.
Why would you say ''human''?
''Human.'' That's a very odd thing
for another human being to say.
I didn't say ''human,'' Mr Governor.
I said ''inhuman.''
Lousy inhuman bastards. And by the blessed
St Francis, who loved all animals, I meant it.
- You see, I run a circus...
- We know that.
- From 20 years back.
- Since the talking apes arrived on Earth
and conceived a baby whose survival could
have threatened the future of the human race.
Mr Governor, I understand
the baby was shot dead with its parents.
Or so it was believed, Mr MacDonald.
However, since this morning, I'm beginning
to wonder if they shot the right baby.
The apes could have switched
their baby with one from the zoo.
- Or perhaps a circus.
- Surely, Mr Governor, you can't be serious!
Hoskyns, the cassette, please.
These are the recommendations made to
the then president of the United States
by the chairman
of the Presidential Committee.
And we believe that the male and female
talking apes, Cornelius and Zira,
have come to us out of the future.
We believe their spoken testimony,
that some 2,000 years hence,
their descendants will have all but
exterminated the human race from Earth.
And we know that the female ape
is now pregnant with child.
The commission therefore recommends
that the birth of the female ape's
unborn child should be prevented
and that both the male and the female
should be rendered
incapable of begetting another.
But, Mr Governor, every zoo, public
and private, was searched by the police,
and every circus, including my own.
- But a small chimpanzee was found.
- The only one ever to be born in a circus,
and legally certified
to have been born a month -
a month - before the talking apes
arrived on earth.
- Where is he now?
- I wish I knew. I've searched everywhere.
Seor Armando!
Let me remind you...
of the seriousness of our problem.
Now.
- Your circus travels mainly in the provinces?
- Yes, sir.
Then, undoubtedly, you are unaware
of the rising tide of disobedience,
the outright defiance, among
the servant apes in our cities.
Mr Governor, on investigation, many
of the offenses have been proved minor.
The ape killed while trying
to escape from the city last night,
- Would you call his offense minor?
- No, sir, I would not.
He physically assaulted his own master.
But only after what must have
been severe provocation.
The ape's body was covered with
welts and bruises inflicted by a beating.
Which he no doubt richly deserved.
How many more of them out there
are just like that ape?
All burning with resentment.
Or waiting. Waiting for an ape with enough
intelligence, with enough will, to lead them.
Waiting for an ape who can think.
Who can talk.
Seor Armando,
has your ape ever talked or shown any
signs of being articulate in your presence?
Never in my presence, or anyone else's.
You can question my circus hands.
We intend to.
Meanwhile, you will remain in custody.
Shipment 507, I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
now arriving at gate number two.
Shipment 509, A for Africa,
ex-French Cameroons,
now arriving at number four gate.
After fingerprinting, shipment 507,
I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
will proceed direct to conditioning cage 90.
After fingerprinting, shipment 507,
I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
will proceed direct to conditioning cage 90.
Immigration personnel are reminded
that, until further notice,
police have requested one additional copy
of all chimpanzee fingerprints for their files.
Repeat: immigration personnel are
reminded that until further notice,
police have requested one additional copy
of all chimpanzee fingerprints for their files.
Do!
Next!
No!
No!
No!
- They're a bit uppity. I haven't fed them yet.
- Come on!
Switch off.
Switch on.
Have you seen this ape before?
Isn't it... Cornelius?
I thought you didn't know him?
B-But you told me yourself.
T-The talking ape that was murdered...
- Executed.
- Executed.
- Would you say there's a resemblance?
- Oh, no.
Look very carefully.
- Like father, like son, eh?
- No. No!
You'd do well to cooperate with us.
I-l... Could l...
Could I please have a glass of water?
Do.
No!
Do.
No!
No!
No! No!
Do.
Attention. Training Control.
Four females have arrived for insemination -
three gorillas and one chimpanzee.
Please select four superior males -
three gorillas, one chimpanzee - and send
them to the breeding annex immediately.
Yes, ma'am, for immediate sale.
One male gorilla, age seven.
Fully conditioned bedmaker, grade A.
Yes, yes. You will be credited after auction.
So you're a member of Breck's party. Now l
understand how you got those big contracts.
He's good for this country. Good for all of us.
- You really think he's gonna make it?
- I don't know of anyone who could stop him.
Bring up lot eight!
Lot eight! One male chimpanzee!
In early prime and perfect physical condition.
Take a good look at this specimen.
This has to be the buy of the afternoon.
Early prime. Perfect physical condition.
Under observation, he appeared
so familiar, obedient, docile
and intelligent with humans that
conditioning was not considered necessary.
But it certainly can be provided on request.
We're gonna start the bidding
on this specimen at $800.
All right, ladies and gentlemen,
what am I bid on this superb specimen?
Bidding starts at 800. 800.
What am I bid for this superb specimen?
- 850!
- 850 over here. Do I hear nine?
- 900!
- I hear nine over there! Nine over there!
- 950.
- 950 over there on the end.
- 1,000.
- 1,000 from the gentleman on the end. $1,000.
- 1100!
- 1100 over here.
- 1150.
- 1150 in the back row.
- 1200
- $1200 from this gentleman.
Going to this gentleman. Going! Going...
- Buy him.
- 1500!
For His Excellency, Governor Breck.
Going! Going!
Gone!
Come.
It's very good, Morgan, but simplify
the wording in that last paragraph.
Sir, we've received a disappointing
report on the automated sanitation plan.
- You have a meeting with Curfew Control.
- Cancel it, Miss Greer.
These figures, did you double-check them?
- Yes, sir.
- Triple-check them!
- Come.
- Hold all calls, Miss Greer.
Here's the IQ profile on all apes tested within
the last four weeks. It's risen by 32/3 points.
Uh-huh! Show Mr MacDonald.
He thinks I'm imagining things.
I assembled that.
You summarized the wrong part.
So their output has increased
about the same percentage,
which I thought the governor
might regard as good news.
It's all right. We'll go over that later.
No.
Watch.
Do.
No, no, no. Clean. Clean.
It seems the little fella's
not so bright after all.
No. But brightness has never
been encouraged amongst slaves.
Oh, don't be so touchy, Mr MacDonald.
All of us were slaves once,
in one sense of the word or another.
If you feel the ape's unsatisfactory,
we can have him reconditioned.
- That isn't necessary.
- You're quite right, Mr MacDonald.
But not for any
of your bleeding-heart reasons.
Reconditioning. That's all
any of you ever think of, isn't it?
Don't you realize, if we were to take
every ape who disobeyed an order
and sent him back for reconditioning, Ape
Management would become overcrowded.
- It's the only thing that has any effect.
- Just makes them worse.
Some of them couldn't be worse. I've
been having a comprehensive list compiled.
- Mr Governor.
- Yes, what is it you want?
- It's your meeting with the Defense Council.
- I'll be along in a moment.
- Defense Council?
- I'll tell you about it later.
- Is this related to the list you mentioned?
- You'll be given full details, Mr MacDonald.
Meanwhile, we're going to set a good
example and recondition this fella ourselves.
- We haven't named him yet, have we?
- No, Mr Breck.
I'm going to revive a charming tradition
established in her lifetime by my dear wife,
and let you name yourself.
''Caesar.'' A king.
Yes?
They're waiting for you
in the council chamber.
I don't think we'll ever make
a bartender out of Caesar.
Have him detailed to the Command Post.
No!
Attention. There is a report
of unescorted apes in the Plaza. Investigate.
- Can I help you, Mr MacDonald?
- This ape's assigned to the Command Post.
- What's his name, sir?
- Caesar.
Start him off in the files.
Low-priority traffic.
Yes, sir.
Do!
Lisa. Lisa!
Ah! Seor Armando!
- This way, seor. This way.
- Sit down, sit down.
We have good news for you.
- Good news?
- Yes. You're to be released.
Inspector Hoskyns and I believe that your ape
is not the child of the talking chimpanzees.
- You found him?
- Not yet, but he'll turn up sooner or later.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience
we had to cause you.
Do forgive us, but it was unavoidable.
Oh, yes. Yes.
Then I'm... I'm free to go?
Oh, as soon as you sign
this sworn declaration.
- What does it say?
- Only what you've been telling us all along.
The circus ape
is incapable of human speech and,
to the best of your knowledge,
he's never uttered a word.
Certainly.
Excellent. Now we'll check this with the
authenticator, then you'll be free to go.
The... authenticator?
It's just a formality. Sit back down,
please. It'll just take a moment.
What does the authenticator do?
Makes people tell the truth.
It's quite painless.
For example, you said you first heard the
name Cornelius in this office. Was that true?
- No.
- Now, there! You see?
That's not a bad black mark against you. You
probably heard it somewhere else before.
Now. About your statement,
sworn statement,
that the circus ape is incapable of speech.
- No. I won't submit to this.
- You will, Seor Armando!
I have done nothing wrong!
You are treating me like a criminal!
Sit back, please.
No! No, no.
- Guard!
- No!
No!
- I knew that circus owner was lying.
- They insist he fell to his death accidentally.
While trying to escape!
He knew he'd been exposed.
Attention. Attention.
Last night, several security forces
apprehended and placed in custody
a number of servant apes from widely
scattered households throughout the city,
who had gathered clandestinely
in the unused building
on the outskirts of the East Sector.
Property owners are firmly warned
that they bear sole responsibility
for the behavior
and whereabouts of their servant apes.
Frank!
Frank.
No!
''One dozen steaks, New York cut,
for Mrs Van Thal.''
Add one gallon of... No.
Two gallons of kerosene.
Mr Governor.
The latest ape-disobedience figures.
There's been a marked increase
in property damage.
Couldn't all be carelessness, Mr MacDonald!
Arrange for distribution of the Achilles list.
Copies to each police precinct. Details are
to be left to the individual commanders,
but I want every ape on that list
delivered to the reconditioning center
by 0600 tomorrow morning.
I'm sorry, 309. The cages are full.
We cannot accommodate any new intakes
until after Tuesday's auction.
''Collect one repaired Colt 45.''
And...
The Achilles list, Mr MacDonald,
referring to our Achilles heel,
contains the name of every ape who, over
the past year, has been overtly disobedient.
The charge against them is nonsense.
It will do for my purposes.
They constitute the hard core of our problem
and I'm going to crush them once and for all!
Sir, you will only further
aggravate the problem.
This action is folly, and I wish to protest
it in the strongest possible terms.
Very well, Mr MacDonald.
Your protest has been duly noted.
From now on, you have but one assignment:
to find that talking ape.
- What is this? A red alert?
- Sort of.
Ape Management computer's
come up with an intriguing error.
Shipment 507, I for Indonesia, comprised
three orangutans and one chimpanzee.
- So?
- There are no chimpanzees in Borneo.
Yes, sir.
State Security Chief
Inspector Kolp on line three.
Yes, Inspector.
Give me the Indonesia file for last month.
That's 507, ex-Borneo.
Right, Inspector. Let me check.
chimpanzee was sold to Governor Breck.
Good God! Just as I first thought.
We've had him under our noses all the time!
Sir, I'm willing to have the ape executed
immediately on your verbal orders alone.
- You'll have it in writing.
- Thank you, sir.
- Get Mr MacDonald at the Command Post.
- However, suppose he can speak but won't?
I don't understand.
The chief inspector means
there'd still be a doubt.
If the chimpanzee keeps his mouth shut, the
case stays open. We'd like to close the file.
You shall. I promise you.
Reconditioning applications
have to be made out in triplicate.
MacDonald speaking. Yes, sir.
You want me to turn Caesar
over to Inspector Kolp?
Is he on your Achilles list?
Mr MacDonald, do not question an order.
No, sir, I'm not questioning
the order. It's just that...
Well, I sent him out on an errand.
He should be back momentarily.
Yes, sir. I'll do just as you say.
Come.
- No, this goes to Traffic Control!
- Take it easy. They can't read.
Not yet, they can't.
Do.
Mr MacDonald, are you near a phone?
Mr MacDonald, it is imperative
that you get to a phone!
Come in, Mr MacDonald! Do you hear me?
Get to a phone and come in!
Now, come in!
- Yes, Mr Governor.
- Kolp is on his way down with the police.
- Is Caesar back yet?
- Not yet, sir. I'll keep a look out.
Notify me the moment
he's handed over to them.
Yes, sir.
I wish...
I wish there was some way we could
communicate, so you'd understand that l...
I understand,
Mr MacDonald.
Yes, I... I'm the one they're looking for.
I never believed it.
I... I thought you were a myth.
Well, I'm not.
But I will tell you something that is.
The belief that human beings are kind...
- No, Caesar. There are some...
- A handful, perhaps, but not most of them.
They won't learn to be kind
until we force them to.
We can't do that until we are free.
How do you propose to gain this freedom?
By the only means left to us.
- Revolution.
- But... it's doomed to failure!
Perhaps... this time.
- And the next.
- Maybe.
- But you'll keep trying.
- You, above everyone else,
should understand.
We cannot be free until we have power.
How else can we achieve it?
Go.
Ah, Mr MacDonald, I have an order from
the governor to take Caesar into custody.
I know. I've been looking for him.
- He's not in the Command Post?
- No.
Issue an order to round up
all unaccompanied apes.
I still don't see why he made a run for it.
It's really quite simple, Mr MacDonald.
The ape has intelligence.
He knew that his friend Armando was dead.
He assumed the man first
betrayed him under torture.
But we don't do that... to humans.
Now.
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Have...
Ha... Have pity.
That's incredible! Well, there's your proof!
We're convinced, Mr Governor.
It's fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
Have him say something else.
You heard the governor.
Answer!
- We could persuade him.
- No.
He's not responsible for what he is.
Still, seeing him there, it's like
looking at some deadly bacillus and...
knowing you've got it bottled up at last.
- Is that all, sir?
- Not quite.
I have an authorization here from
the governor to have this beast destroyed.
I'll notify the vet to inject him.
- He is wired for electrocution, isn't he?
- Oh, yes.
Well, then, electrocute him. Now.
- He's dead.
- Good.
- Good work, Inspector.
- What happened to Mr MacDonald?
I'm afraid his sensibility...
Ah, there you are!
- Is it over?
- Yes, it's over.
Shall we go back to work?
Lisa.
All keepers and handlers,
attention. Attention!
All keepers and handlers.
There is $50,000 worth of apes in jeopardy.
Get them out of here... alive!
Yes. Commander, I understand the situation.
Assemble as large a force
as you can and follow them.
Mobilize all security forces,
police, militia and reserve defense units.
See that every entrance
into the city is cordoned off.
Will control methods include
tear gas and sedation darts?
There will be but one
control method: shoot to kill.
A small group of apes,
scheduled for intensive reconditioning,
have escaped from Ape Management.
Until they've been rounded up by the police,
all citizens are requested to remain indoors.
A further announcement will be made
as soon as recapture is effected.
And, I guess, here it is.
Ape Management is in
the hands of the apes.
Many officials are either
dead or held hostage.
The main band of rioting apes are
at this very moment marching on the city.
It's been established that
the ape mob is under the command
of a supernormally intelligent chimpanzee
who has... acquired the power of speech.
That idiot! Get out a retraction immediately!
Announce that the talking ape
has been put to death!
..the child of the two talking
chimpanzees, Cornelius and Zira,
who came to us from
outer space 20 years ago.
As such, he constitutes a threat
to the future of the whole human race.
Governor Breck has just issued
this order to all civilians: go to your homes.
Stay in your home and lock your doors.
Above all, do not panic.
Repeat: go to your homes.
Stay in your homes and lock your doors.
The situation can be kept under control
provided our defense forces are
given complete freedom of movement.
No! Go back!
No! No!
Go home!
Back!
Ready.
Aim.
Fire!
Ready.
Aim.
Fire!
Yes.
Yes. Understood.
Riot Control say the apes
have broken through the cordon.
Advance units are approaching the Plaza.
Order units four and six
into action immediately.
Riot Control.
No!
No!
They've reached the Plaza.
- Good God! They're armed!
- And organized.
- No! Home!
- Don't plead with them, you idiot!
Ready!
No!
Home!
Home!
Home!
Aim!
Fire!
What's the trouble down there?
Like wild animals, they're smelling blood.
My God! There's more!
- They're inside the building.
- Alert all security posts!
- Right, sir.
- No! No!
The circuits are dead.
Take a message. To Riot Control, urgent.
Command Post under attack!
Repeat: Command Post under attack!
It won't work, sir.
No!
But how? How? They don't have
the intelligence to use such tools!
Shoot them! Shoot them all!
This is the Communication Center.
We have no defense.
If we lose this battle,
that's the end of the world as we know it!
We will have proved
ourselves inferior. Weak!
And all the groveling cowards left alive when
the battle is over will be the weakest of all!
This will be the end of human civilization
and the world will belong to a planet of apes!
No! No, go. Go!
Caesar!
Your servant.
Your creature. Your animal!
But I saw you die.
The king is dead. Long live the king!
Tell me, Breck, before you die,
how do we differ from the dogs
and cats you and your kind used to love?
Why did you turn us from pets into slaves?
Because your kind were once our ancestors.
Man was born of the ape.
And there's still an ape
curled up inside of every man.
The beast that must be
whipped into submission.
The savage that has to be shackled in chains.
You are that beast, Caesar. You taint us.
You poison our guts!
When...
When we hate you, we're...
we're hating the dark side of ourselves.
Take him.
Go!
Caesar!
Caesar. This is not how it was to be.
In your view or mine?
Violence prolongs hate.
Hate prolongs violence.
- By what right are you spilling blood?
- The slave's right to punish his persecutors.
Caesar. I, a descendant of slaves,
am asking you to show humanity.
But I was not born human.
I know. The child of the evolved apes.
Whose children shall rule the Earth.
For better or for worse?
Do you think it could be worse?
Do you think this riot
will win freedom for all your kind?
- By tomorrow...
- By tomorrow, it will be too late.
A tiny, mindless insect like the emperor
moth can communicate with another
- over a distance of 80 miles.
- An emperor ape might do slightly better?
Slightly?
What you have seen here today, apes on the
five continents will be imitating tomorrow.
With knives against guns?
With kerosene cans against flame-throwers?
Where there is fire, there is smoke.
And, in that smoke, from this day forward,
my people will crouch and conspire
and plot and plan for
the inevitable day of man's downfall.
The day when he finally
and self-destructively
turns his weapons against his own kind.
The day of the writing in the sky,
when your cities lie buried
under radioactive rubble.
When the sea is a dead sea
and the land is a wasteland
out of which I will lead my people
from their captivity.
And we shall build our own cities in
which there will be no place for humans,
except to serve our ends.
And we shall found our own armies,
our own religion,
our own dynasty!
And that day is upon you... now!
But now...
Now we will put away our hatred.
Now we will put down our weapons.
We have passed through
the Night of the Fires.
And those who were our masters
are now our servants.
And we, who are not human,
can afford to be humane.
Destiny is the will of God.
And, if it is man's destiny to be dominated,
it is God's will
that he be dominated with compassion
and understanding.
So, cast out your vengeance.
Tonight, we have seen
the birth of the Planet of the Apes!
- Are you authorized to dress him like that?
- Oh, yes, sir.
- A circus ape, huh?
- The only one to have been trained
as a bareback rider
in the entire history of the circus.
- Circuses are past history.
- Not while I live and breathe.
- All right, Seor Armando. Go ahead.
- Thank you.
Come, come.
Come, come.
- Did I do all right?
- Yes, yes, yes.
But try to walk a little more
like a primitive chimpanzee.
Your arms should move
up and down from the shoulder... like so.
Yes, that's better.
After 20 years, you've picked up
evolved habits from me.
That could be dangerous. Even fatal.
- Armando, I don't understand.
- Listen to me, Caesar.
There can be only
one talking chimpanzee on Earth.
The child of the two talking apes,
Cornelius and Zira,
who came to us years ago out of the future
and were murdered for fear that one distant
day apes might dominate the human race.
Yeah, but outside of you,
nobody even knows I exist.
And we must keep it that way,
for the fear remains.
The mere fact of your existence would be
regarded as a great threat to mankind.
Come. Come.
Attention, this is the watch commander.
Disperse apes gathering in the mall.
Repeat: disperse apes gathering in the mall.
Take the serial number of each offender
and notify Ape Control immediately.
Repeat: take the serial number
of each offender
and notify Ape Control immediately.
Their masters are to be cited and fined.
Repeat: their masters
are to be cited and fined.
Attention. Attention.
This is the watch commander.
Attention. Attention. Disperse unauthorized
ape gathering at the foot of ramp six.
Repeat: disperse unauthorized
ape gathering at the foot of ramp six.
No citation or fine in this instance.
Repeat: no citation or fine in this...
But how did it happen?
Go! Go!
No! No!
Go! You go!
- But you said humans treated apes like pets.
- They did, in the beginning.
They've made slaves of them!
They all died within a few months,
eight years ago.
Every dog and cat in the world.
It was like a plague.
The disease that killed them was a virus
brought back from space by an astronaut.
- Didn't the disease affect humans?
- We were immune.
And so, it was discovered, were simians,
even the smallest ones.
That's how it began.
Humans wanting little household pets
to replace the ones they had lost.
Then, when people realized how quick
they were to learn, how easy to train,
the pets became larger,
and larger, until now...
It's monstrous.
Now you understand why I've kept you away.
Yes, Lisa.
A Young Queen Falls for Mrs Riley.
No!
Lisa.
Yes?
Could you possibly be so kind
as to display it in your window?
- When I have the time.
- Thank you.
The labor demonstration on the South Plaza
will be terminated in ten minutes.
Repeat: the labor demonstration
on the South Plaza
will be terminated in ten minutes.
Thank you, Frank.
Funny. Now that I know they
won't kill me, I don't enjoy them.
Well, for heaven's sakes! A circus!
Home, Lisa.
- Yes?
- Oh, I was wondering,
would you be kind enough
to display a couple of these posters?
- Stop it!
- No, Zelda! No!
Home, Zelda.
I'm so sorry, Mrs Riley. I'll have
someone to comb you out in a minute.
I wanna be combed out now.
I have a luncheon.
- Thursday, then.
- Thursday.
I... I forgot the waiter
and I'm all out of raisins.
- Take mine.
- Thank you.
You're overtipping.
No! No! No!
And I told them to condition him to fire.
Attention. The labor demonstration
on the South Plaza
will be terminated in five minutes.
Repeat: the labor demonstration on the
South Plaza will be terminated in five minutes.
Failure to comply with this order can result
in a one-year suspension
of your right to bargain collectively.
- What's his job?
- He's a messenger.
For the governor, so get!
No! No! No!
- Stop that at once! All of you!
- Yes, sir, Mr MacDonald. We were just...
I saw what you were doing. Now sedate
the animal and get him out of here.
- Who the hell's that?
- The governor's number-one assistant.
- He love apes or something?
- Don't it figure?
Hold him.
Lousy human bastards!
Who said that?
I did.
He's a performing ape for my circus.
- A talking ape?
- No! No, no.
- No, that's impossible. It was I who spoke.
- It didn't sound like your voice.
Yell ''Lousy human bastards.''
- That's not what I said.
- That's what I heard.
Now, look, mister,
you yell ''Lousy human bastards.''
- Lousy human bastards.
- We said yell!
Lousy human bastards!
- Yeah, yeah. Could be.
- I don't think so.
- It's right. The ape spoke.
- Yeah!
No! No, they're mistaken.
I admit my behavior was inexcusable
and I am deeply sorry.
I think we better take him
to headquarters for interrogation.
Guard!
Move him on.
- Armando, forgive me.
- Oh, no, no.
You only said aloud what I was thinking.
I'm sorry. I was so angry.
I might have bluffed it through
if you hadn't run away.
Now they suspect you
of understanding all that was said.
- Armando, let's go back to the circus.
- No, no, no.
- Oh, no, please.
- No, that's the first place they'll look.
Here's what we'll do. I'll go to the police.
- Oh, no, no!
- It's the only way!
I'll say that... that I couldn't find you.
That... you've run away before.
- That big cities frighten you.
- But, Armando, where would I go?
You wait right here!
If this works, I'll be back by nightfall.
- But what if they don't let you go?
- Oh, they will. They will.
But just in case, if I am not back by then...
Now, these steps go down
to a tunnel that leads to the harbor.
Cargoes of apes are frequently
unloaded at night.
- You must try to infiltrate one of them.
- But, Armando...
Apes imported from overseas arrive naked,
so you'll have to get rid of these clothes.
- Well, I don't want to.
- We must have an alternate plan!
Right now, the only safe
hiding place for you
is among your own kind.
I shouldn't be long.
Why would you say ''human''?
''Human.'' That's a very odd thing
for another human being to say.
I didn't say ''human,'' Mr Governor.
I said ''inhuman.''
Lousy inhuman bastards. And by the blessed
St Francis, who loved all animals, I meant it.
- You see, I run a circus...
- We know that.
- From 20 years back.
- Since the talking apes arrived on Earth
and conceived a baby whose survival could
have threatened the future of the human race.
Mr Governor, I understand
the baby was shot dead with its parents.
Or so it was believed, Mr MacDonald.
However, since this morning, I'm beginning
to wonder if they shot the right baby.
The apes could have switched
their baby with one from the zoo.
- Or perhaps a circus.
- Surely, Mr Governor, you can't be serious!
Hoskyns, the cassette, please.
These are the recommendations made to
the then president of the United States
by the chairman
of the Presidential Committee.
And we believe that the male and female
talking apes, Cornelius and Zira,
have come to us out of the future.
We believe their spoken testimony,
that some 2,000 years hence,
their descendants will have all but
exterminated the human race from Earth.
And we know that the female ape
is now pregnant with child.
The commission therefore recommends
that the birth of the female ape's
unborn child should be prevented
and that both the male and the female
should be rendered
incapable of begetting another.
But, Mr Governor, every zoo, public
and private, was searched by the police,
and every circus, including my own.
- But a small chimpanzee was found.
- The only one ever to be born in a circus,
and legally certified
to have been born a month -
a month - before the talking apes
arrived on earth.
- Where is he now?
- I wish I knew. I've searched everywhere.
Seor Armando!
Let me remind you...
of the seriousness of our problem.
Now.
- Your circus travels mainly in the provinces?
- Yes, sir.
Then, undoubtedly, you are unaware
of the rising tide of disobedience,
the outright defiance, among
the servant apes in our cities.
Mr Governor, on investigation, many
of the offenses have been proved minor.
The ape killed while trying
to escape from the city last night,
- Would you call his offense minor?
- No, sir, I would not.
He physically assaulted his own master.
But only after what must have
been severe provocation.
The ape's body was covered with
welts and bruises inflicted by a beating.
Which he no doubt richly deserved.
How many more of them out there
are just like that ape?
All burning with resentment.
Or waiting. Waiting for an ape with enough
intelligence, with enough will, to lead them.
Waiting for an ape who can think.
Who can talk.
Seor Armando,
has your ape ever talked or shown any
signs of being articulate in your presence?
Never in my presence, or anyone else's.
You can question my circus hands.
We intend to.
Meanwhile, you will remain in custody.
Shipment 507, I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
now arriving at gate number two.
Shipment 509, A for Africa,
ex-French Cameroons,
now arriving at number four gate.
After fingerprinting, shipment 507,
I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
will proceed direct to conditioning cage 90.
After fingerprinting, shipment 507,
I for Indonesia, ex-Borneo,
will proceed direct to conditioning cage 90.
Immigration personnel are reminded
that, until further notice,
police have requested one additional copy
of all chimpanzee fingerprints for their files.
Repeat: immigration personnel are
reminded that until further notice,
police have requested one additional copy
of all chimpanzee fingerprints for their files.
Do!
Next!
No!
No!
No!
- They're a bit uppity. I haven't fed them yet.
- Come on!
Switch off.
Switch on.
Have you seen this ape before?
Isn't it... Cornelius?
I thought you didn't know him?
B-But you told me yourself.
T-The talking ape that was murdered...
- Executed.
- Executed.
- Would you say there's a resemblance?
- Oh, no.
Look very carefully.
- Like father, like son, eh?
- No. No!
You'd do well to cooperate with us.
I-l... Could l...
Could I please have a glass of water?
Do.
No!
Do.
No!
No!
No! No!
Do.
Attention. Training Control.
Four females have arrived for insemination -
three gorillas and one chimpanzee.
Please select four superior males -
three gorillas, one chimpanzee - and send
them to the breeding annex immediately.
Yes, ma'am, for immediate sale.
One male gorilla, age seven.
Fully conditioned bedmaker, grade A.
Yes, yes. You will be credited after auction.
So you're a member of Breck's party. Now l
understand how you got those big contracts.
He's good for this country. Good for all of us.
- You really think he's gonna make it?
- I don't know of anyone who could stop him.
Bring up lot eight!
Lot eight! One male chimpanzee!
In early prime and perfect physical condition.
Take a good look at this specimen.
This has to be the buy of the afternoon.
Early prime. Perfect physical condition.
Under observation, he appeared
so familiar, obedient, docile
and intelligent with humans that
conditioning was not considered necessary.
But it certainly can be provided on request.
We're gonna start the bidding
on this specimen at $800.
All right, ladies and gentlemen,
what am I bid on this superb specimen?
Bidding starts at 800. 800.
What am I bid for this superb specimen?
- 850!
- 850 over here. Do I hear nine?
- 900!
- I hear nine over there! Nine over there!
- 950.
- 950 over there on the end.
- 1,000.
- 1,000 from the gentleman on the end. $1,000.
- 1100!
- 1100 over here.
- 1150.
- 1150 in the back row.
- 1200
- $1200 from this gentleman.
Going to this gentleman. Going! Going...
- Buy him.
- 1500!
For His Excellency, Governor Breck.
Going! Going!
Gone!
Come.
It's very good, Morgan, but simplify
the wording in that last paragraph.
Sir, we've received a disappointing
report on the automated sanitation plan.
- You have a meeting with Curfew Control.
- Cancel it, Miss Greer.
These figures, did you double-check them?
- Yes, sir.
- Triple-check them!
- Come.
- Hold all calls, Miss Greer.
Here's the IQ profile on all apes tested within
the last four weeks. It's risen by 32/3 points.
Uh-huh! Show Mr MacDonald.
He thinks I'm imagining things.
I assembled that.
You summarized the wrong part.
So their output has increased
about the same percentage,
which I thought the governor
might regard as good news.
It's all right. We'll go over that later.
No.
Watch.
Do.
No, no, no. Clean. Clean.
It seems the little fella's
not so bright after all.
No. But brightness has never
been encouraged amongst slaves.
Oh, don't be so touchy, Mr MacDonald.
All of us were slaves once,
in one sense of the word or another.
If you feel the ape's unsatisfactory,
we can have him reconditioned.
- That isn't necessary.
- You're quite right, Mr MacDonald.
But not for any
of your bleeding-heart reasons.
Reconditioning. That's all
any of you ever think of, isn't it?
Don't you realize, if we were to take
every ape who disobeyed an order
and sent him back for reconditioning, Ape
Management would become overcrowded.
- It's the only thing that has any effect.
- Just makes them worse.
Some of them couldn't be worse. I've
been having a comprehensive list compiled.
- Mr Governor.
- Yes, what is it you want?
- It's your meeting with the Defense Council.
- I'll be along in a moment.
- Defense Council?
- I'll tell you about it later.
- Is this related to the list you mentioned?
- You'll be given full details, Mr MacDonald.
Meanwhile, we're going to set a good
example and recondition this fella ourselves.
- We haven't named him yet, have we?
- No, Mr Breck.
I'm going to revive a charming tradition
established in her lifetime by my dear wife,
and let you name yourself.
''Caesar.'' A king.
Yes?
They're waiting for you
in the council chamber.
I don't think we'll ever make
a bartender out of Caesar.
Have him detailed to the Command Post.
No!
Attention. There is a report
of unescorted apes in the Plaza. Investigate.
- Can I help you, Mr MacDonald?
- This ape's assigned to the Command Post.
- What's his name, sir?
- Caesar.
Start him off in the files.
Low-priority traffic.
Yes, sir.
Do!
Lisa. Lisa!
Ah! Seor Armando!
- This way, seor. This way.
- Sit down, sit down.
We have good news for you.
- Good news?
- Yes. You're to be released.
Inspector Hoskyns and I believe that your ape
is not the child of the talking chimpanzees.
- You found him?
- Not yet, but he'll turn up sooner or later.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience
we had to cause you.
Do forgive us, but it was unavoidable.
Oh, yes. Yes.
Then I'm... I'm free to go?
Oh, as soon as you sign
this sworn declaration.
- What does it say?
- Only what you've been telling us all along.
The circus ape
is incapable of human speech and,
to the best of your knowledge,
he's never uttered a word.
Certainly.
Excellent. Now we'll check this with the
authenticator, then you'll be free to go.
The... authenticator?
It's just a formality. Sit back down,
please. It'll just take a moment.
What does the authenticator do?
Makes people tell the truth.
It's quite painless.
For example, you said you first heard the
name Cornelius in this office. Was that true?
- No.
- Now, there! You see?
That's not a bad black mark against you. You
probably heard it somewhere else before.
Now. About your statement,
sworn statement,
that the circus ape is incapable of speech.
- No. I won't submit to this.
- You will, Seor Armando!
I have done nothing wrong!
You are treating me like a criminal!
Sit back, please.
No! No, no.
- Guard!
- No!
No!
- I knew that circus owner was lying.
- They insist he fell to his death accidentally.
While trying to escape!
He knew he'd been exposed.
Attention. Attention.
Last night, several security forces
apprehended and placed in custody
a number of servant apes from widely
scattered households throughout the city,
who had gathered clandestinely
in the unused building
on the outskirts of the East Sector.
Property owners are firmly warned
that they bear sole responsibility
for the behavior
and whereabouts of their servant apes.
Frank!
Frank.
No!
''One dozen steaks, New York cut,
for Mrs Van Thal.''
Add one gallon of... No.
Two gallons of kerosene.
Mr Governor.
The latest ape-disobedience figures.
There's been a marked increase
in property damage.
Couldn't all be carelessness, Mr MacDonald!
Arrange for distribution of the Achilles list.
Copies to each police precinct. Details are
to be left to the individual commanders,
but I want every ape on that list
delivered to the reconditioning center
by 0600 tomorrow morning.
I'm sorry, 309. The cages are full.
We cannot accommodate any new intakes
until after Tuesday's auction.
''Collect one repaired Colt 45.''
And...
The Achilles list, Mr MacDonald,
referring to our Achilles heel,
contains the name of every ape who, over
the past year, has been overtly disobedient.
The charge against them is nonsense.
It will do for my purposes.
They constitute the hard core of our problem
and I'm going to crush them once and for all!
Sir, you will only further
aggravate the problem.
This action is folly, and I wish to protest
it in the strongest possible terms.
Very well, Mr MacDonald.
Your protest has been duly noted.
From now on, you have but one assignment:
to find that talking ape.
- What is this? A red alert?
- Sort of.
Ape Management computer's
come up with an intriguing error.
Shipment 507, I for Indonesia, comprised
three orangutans and one chimpanzee.
- So?
- There are no chimpanzees in Borneo.
Yes, sir.
State Security Chief
Inspector Kolp on line three.
Yes, Inspector.
Give me the Indonesia file for last month.
That's 507, ex-Borneo.
Right, Inspector. Let me check.
chimpanzee was sold to Governor Breck.
Good God! Just as I first thought.
We've had him under our noses all the time!
Sir, I'm willing to have the ape executed
immediately on your verbal orders alone.
- You'll have it in writing.
- Thank you, sir.
- Get Mr MacDonald at the Command Post.
- However, suppose he can speak but won't?
I don't understand.
The chief inspector means
there'd still be a doubt.
If the chimpanzee keeps his mouth shut, the
case stays open. We'd like to close the file.
You shall. I promise you.
Reconditioning applications
have to be made out in triplicate.
MacDonald speaking. Yes, sir.
You want me to turn Caesar
over to Inspector Kolp?
Is he on your Achilles list?
Mr MacDonald, do not question an order.
No, sir, I'm not questioning
the order. It's just that...
Well, I sent him out on an errand.
He should be back momentarily.
Yes, sir. I'll do just as you say.
Come.
- No, this goes to Traffic Control!
- Take it easy. They can't read.
Not yet, they can't.
Do.
Mr MacDonald, are you near a phone?
Mr MacDonald, it is imperative
that you get to a phone!
Come in, Mr MacDonald! Do you hear me?
Get to a phone and come in!
Now, come in!
- Yes, Mr Governor.
- Kolp is on his way down with the police.
- Is Caesar back yet?
- Not yet, sir. I'll keep a look out.
Notify me the moment
he's handed over to them.
Yes, sir.
I wish...
I wish there was some way we could
communicate, so you'd understand that l...
I understand,
Mr MacDonald.
Yes, I... I'm the one they're looking for.
I never believed it.
I... I thought you were a myth.
Well, I'm not.
But I will tell you something that is.
The belief that human beings are kind...
- No, Caesar. There are some...
- A handful, perhaps, but not most of them.
They won't learn to be kind
until we force them to.
We can't do that until we are free.
How do you propose to gain this freedom?
By the only means left to us.
- Revolution.
- But... it's doomed to failure!
Perhaps... this time.
- And the next.
- Maybe.
- But you'll keep trying.
- You, above everyone else,
should understand.
We cannot be free until we have power.
How else can we achieve it?
Go.
Ah, Mr MacDonald, I have an order from
the governor to take Caesar into custody.
I know. I've been looking for him.
- He's not in the Command Post?
- No.
Issue an order to round up
all unaccompanied apes.
I still don't see why he made a run for it.
It's really quite simple, Mr MacDonald.
The ape has intelligence.
He knew that his friend Armando was dead.
He assumed the man first
betrayed him under torture.
But we don't do that... to humans.
Now.
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Talk!
Have...
Ha... Have pity.
That's incredible! Well, there's your proof!
We're convinced, Mr Governor.
It's fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.
Have him say something else.
You heard the governor.
Answer!
- We could persuade him.
- No.
He's not responsible for what he is.
Still, seeing him there, it's like
looking at some deadly bacillus and...
knowing you've got it bottled up at last.
- Is that all, sir?
- Not quite.
I have an authorization here from
the governor to have this beast destroyed.
I'll notify the vet to inject him.
- He is wired for electrocution, isn't he?
- Oh, yes.
Well, then, electrocute him. Now.
- He's dead.
- Good.
- Good work, Inspector.
- What happened to Mr MacDonald?
I'm afraid his sensibility...
Ah, there you are!
- Is it over?
- Yes, it's over.
Shall we go back to work?
Lisa.
All keepers and handlers,
attention. Attention!
All keepers and handlers.
There is $50,000 worth of apes in jeopardy.
Get them out of here... alive!
Yes. Commander, I understand the situation.
Assemble as large a force
as you can and follow them.
Mobilize all security forces,
police, militia and reserve defense units.
See that every entrance
into the city is cordoned off.
Will control methods include
tear gas and sedation darts?
There will be but one
control method: shoot to kill.
A small group of apes,
scheduled for intensive reconditioning,
have escaped from Ape Management.
Until they've been rounded up by the police,
all citizens are requested to remain indoors.
A further announcement will be made
as soon as recapture is effected.
And, I guess, here it is.
Ape Management is in
the hands of the apes.
Many officials are either
dead or held hostage.
The main band of rioting apes are
at this very moment marching on the city.
It's been established that
the ape mob is under the command
of a supernormally intelligent chimpanzee
who has... acquired the power of speech.
That idiot! Get out a retraction immediately!
Announce that the talking ape
has been put to death!
..the child of the two talking
chimpanzees, Cornelius and Zira,
who came to us from
outer space 20 years ago.
As such, he constitutes a threat
to the future of the whole human race.
Governor Breck has just issued
this order to all civilians: go to your homes.
Stay in your home and lock your doors.
Above all, do not panic.
Repeat: go to your homes.
Stay in your homes and lock your doors.
The situation can be kept under control
provided our defense forces are
given complete freedom of movement.
No! Go back!
No! No!
Go home!
Back!
Ready.
Aim.
Fire!
Ready.
Aim.
Fire!
Yes.
Yes. Understood.
Riot Control say the apes
have broken through the cordon.
Advance units are approaching the Plaza.
Order units four and six
into action immediately.
Riot Control.
No!
No!
They've reached the Plaza.
- Good God! They're armed!
- And organized.
- No! Home!
- Don't plead with them, you idiot!
Ready!
No!
Home!
Home!
Home!
Aim!
Fire!
What's the trouble down there?
Like wild animals, they're smelling blood.
My God! There's more!
- They're inside the building.
- Alert all security posts!
- Right, sir.
- No! No!
The circuits are dead.
Take a message. To Riot Control, urgent.
Command Post under attack!
Repeat: Command Post under attack!
It won't work, sir.
No!
But how? How? They don't have
the intelligence to use such tools!
Shoot them! Shoot them all!
This is the Communication Center.
We have no defense.
If we lose this battle,
that's the end of the world as we know it!
We will have proved
ourselves inferior. Weak!
And all the groveling cowards left alive when
the battle is over will be the weakest of all!
This will be the end of human civilization
and the world will belong to a planet of apes!
No! No, go. Go!
Caesar!
Your servant.
Your creature. Your animal!
But I saw you die.
The king is dead. Long live the king!
Tell me, Breck, before you die,
how do we differ from the dogs
and cats you and your kind used to love?
Why did you turn us from pets into slaves?
Because your kind were once our ancestors.
Man was born of the ape.
And there's still an ape
curled up inside of every man.
The beast that must be
whipped into submission.
The savage that has to be shackled in chains.
You are that beast, Caesar. You taint us.
You poison our guts!
When...
When we hate you, we're...
we're hating the dark side of ourselves.
Take him.
Go!
Caesar!
Caesar. This is not how it was to be.
In your view or mine?
Violence prolongs hate.
Hate prolongs violence.
- By what right are you spilling blood?
- The slave's right to punish his persecutors.
Caesar. I, a descendant of slaves,
am asking you to show humanity.
But I was not born human.
I know. The child of the evolved apes.
Whose children shall rule the Earth.
For better or for worse?
Do you think it could be worse?
Do you think this riot
will win freedom for all your kind?
- By tomorrow...
- By tomorrow, it will be too late.
A tiny, mindless insect like the emperor
moth can communicate with another
- over a distance of 80 miles.
- An emperor ape might do slightly better?
Slightly?
What you have seen here today, apes on the
five continents will be imitating tomorrow.
With knives against guns?
With kerosene cans against flame-throwers?
Where there is fire, there is smoke.
And, in that smoke, from this day forward,
my people will crouch and conspire
and plot and plan for
the inevitable day of man's downfall.
The day when he finally
and self-destructively
turns his weapons against his own kind.
The day of the writing in the sky,
when your cities lie buried
under radioactive rubble.
When the sea is a dead sea
and the land is a wasteland
out of which I will lead my people
from their captivity.
And we shall build our own cities in
which there will be no place for humans,
except to serve our ends.
And we shall found our own armies,
our own religion,
our own dynasty!
And that day is upon you... now!
But now...
Now we will put away our hatred.
Now we will put down our weapons.
We have passed through
the Night of the Fires.
And those who were our masters
are now our servants.
And we, who are not human,
can afford to be humane.
Destiny is the will of God.
And, if it is man's destiny to be dominated,
it is God's will
that he be dominated with compassion
and understanding.
So, cast out your vengeance.
Tonight, we have seen
the birth of the Planet of the Apes!