1. "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970):
- Astronauts Taylor (Charlton Heston) and Brent (James Franciscus) return to the world of the apes.
- They discover a society of telepathic, underground-dwelling mutants who worship a nuclear bomb.
- The film explores themes of nuclear war and the misuse of technology.
2. "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971):
- The intelligent ape Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and his mate Zira (Kim Hunter) travel to the present-day human world.
- They face prejudice and discrimination from humans and attempt to expose the existence of the ape planet.
- The film examines issues of racism, equality, and the consequences of scientific experimentation.
3. "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes" (1972):
- Years after the events of the previous film, apes gain dominance over humans and enslave them.
- The ape leader Caesar (Roddy McDowall) tries to establish a society based on equality and compassion, but faces challenges from within and outside the ape community.
- The film explores themes of power, violence, and the struggle for control.
4. "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" (1973):
- The conflict between humans and apes intensifies as a new generation of apes led by Caesar's son, Milo (Claude Akins), rises against the oppressive human regime.
- The film examines themes of war, genocide, and the potential for peace between different species.
These four films form the original "Planet of the Apes" series and present a unique and thought-provoking exploration of societal issues, human nature, and the relationship between humans and the environment.