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"[Tim Burton's] new version tries to . . . incorporate ideas from Planet of the Apes as American Myth, Eric Greene's resourceful 1996 social analysis of the film and its sequels. Mr. Greene thoughtfully examined the racial politics that made the pictures both tough-minded and slightly repugnant." —New York Times review of Burton's remake
Compelling case study considers Planet of the Apes films as racial allegory.
A lively exploration of the Planet of the Apes films as racial allegory.
In 1968, Planet of the Apes became a megahit movie both in the US and abroad, inspiring four film sequels, two TV series, several comic series, and hundreds of millions of dollars in worldwide merchandising. The Apes films confronted some of the most controversial issues of the time, including Vietnam and the Black Power movement, all the while remaining crowd pleasing box office hits.
Eric Greene uses rare photographs, transcripts, and extensive interviews with the writers, directors, actors, and producers to read the Apes saga as a profoundly American myth. Greene also looks at the attempts of filmmakers like Oliver Stone and James Cameron to remake the myth for the 90s. This enjoyable and meticulous book gives the reader an insider's look at the complex relationships between race, politics and popular culture in America.
Reviews:
"Greene makes an utterly plausible case . . . you'll be scratching your head in humbled agreement."—Entertainment Weekly
"Astute . . . intelligently and cleverly written . . . fascinating scholarship."—Cinescape
"An interesting idea for a book . . . accessible to the average reader. The filmography is exceptionally detailed."—Classic Images
Endorsements:
"In this serious, insightful book Eric Greene has written an ideal cultural assessment. He has scoped-out a film phenomenon, tracing much of its impact and potential -- and most remarkably, its ideological history. This is a definitive and pleasurable work."—Armond White, author of The Resistance: Ten Years of Pop Culture That Shook the World
"Much more than a casebook, Planet of the Apes as American Myth looks at the film and television series as an allegory of race relations in America at a significant historical moment. Written in an accessible style, the volume brings together invaluable source materials and contemporary theoretical work on race in a way that not only illuminates the series but also raises timely critical issues surrounding popular representation. This is an admirable work - and a fascinating read."—Vivian Sobchak, author of Screening Space: The American Science Fiction Film
Click here for TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ERIC GREENE is a freelance writer and student now at Stanford Law School. Originally published in 1996, the book won the Golden Scroll Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement from the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Films.
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