Cinema Retro has just received an official press release from Fox detailing the contents of the 40th anniversary Planet of the Apes Blu-ray DVD collection which will be released on November 4. This initial press release confines itself to the content of the discs themselves and doesn't address the packaging or other bonus items included in the set. It's safe to say Fox has done an outstanding job of amassing vintage rarities and commissioning much-needed new retrospectives on the series. The highlight is the release of an un-rated version of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes that includes never-before-seen footage. Here are highlights from the Fox official press release:
Humans are even
uglier in High-Def when Planet Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution
Blu-ray Collection takes over the Earth November 4th in
North America and throughout the Fall Internationally from Twentieth Century
Fox Home Entertainment. This spectacular set includes all five hair -
raising Planet Of The Apes films on Blu-ray for the first time,
including Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, Escape From The Planet
Of The Apes, Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes, Battle For The
Planet Of The Apes, and the 1968 original Planet Of The Apes,
which stunned audiences with its now-iconic conclusion and shockingly dystopian
view of humanity’s fate. From an age of film when science fiction served
as allegory in addition to providing thrilling spectacle and edge-of-your-seat
adventure, the Planet Of The Apes franchise set the gold standard
for Sci-Fi films. Now the films that changed the face of science fiction
forever will be available in the ultimate home viewing format. This
year’s Comic Con International 2008 provided fans a first look at some of the
exciting extras to be featured on the Blu-ray discs.
Planet Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection is
packed with exclusive new High-Def content. As a special treat for Apes
fans, the collection includes an unrated version of Conquest of the Planet
of the Apes. Previously unreleased in the United States, this version
includes eight minutes of unrated footage. Other new special content includes
an “Evolution of the Apes†documentary chronicling the evolution of the Apes
universe from novel to the big screen, an “Impact of the Apes†featurette
exploring the cultural impact of the franchise and a never-before-seen public
service announcement from ANSA about the seminal flight of the “Project
Liberty†crew. Each Planet Of The Apes sequel included in the
beautifully packaged collection will contain brand new High-Def making-of
featurettes and will be available for the suggested retail price of $159.98 U.S.
In addition, the previously released Limited Edition Planet Of The
Apes Ultimate Collection will be available in the uniquely packaged ape
head just in time for the holidays at a more attractive price.
Planet
Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection Blu-ray Disc Special Features:
Each Planet Of The
Apes Blu-ray Disc will be authored in
Java on a double-layer disc presented in widescreen
(2.35:1 aspect ratio) with newly mastered English 5.1 DTS Master Audio,
English, Spanish and French Mono and includes English and Spanish
subtitles. All new special features will be presented in High-Def. Bonus
features include:
ƒ NEW Science
of the Apes BONUSVIEW - Scientists, anthropologists and sociologists
discuss the facts and fiction of the first film
ƒ NEW
“Beyond the Forbidden Zone†Adventure Game
ƒ NEW “A
Public Service Announcement From ANSA†in HD – A mission report from the agency
regarding their brave astronauts
ƒ NEW “Evolution
of the Apesâ€- HD featurette tracing the apes story from the original novel to
the screen
ƒ NEW
“Impact of the Apes†- HD featurette on how to market a worldwide pop culture
phenomenon. The story behind the marketing and merchandising of one of the
first ever film franchises and the series’ lasting influence on pop culture
through the years
ƒNEW
HD Making-of Featurette for Each Sequel:
ƒ Beneath the
Planet of the Apes – “From Alpha to Omega: Building a Sequelâ€
ƒ Escape from the
Planet of the Apes – “ The Secret Behind Escapeâ€
ƒ Conquest of the
Planet of the Apes – “ Riots and Revolutions: Confronting the Timesâ€
ƒ Battle for the
Planet of the Apes – “ End of an Epic: The Final Battleâ€
ƒ NEW Each Apes
sequel will have an isolated score track in 5.1 DTS Master Audio
ƒ
Commentary by Composer Jerry Goldsmith
ƒ
Commentary by Actors Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy, Kim Hunter and
Makeup Artist John Chambers
ƒ Text
Commentary by Eric Greene and Author of “Planet of the Apes as American Mythâ€
ƒ Behind
the Planet of the Apes Documentary – Includes all new interactivity and
timeline
ƒ Behind
the Planet of the Apes Promo (1988)
ƒ Planet
of the Apes Makeup Test with Edward G. Robinson (1966)
ƒ Roddy
McDowall On-set Footage
ƒ Planet
of the Apes Dailies and Outtakes (No Audio)
ƒ Planet
of the Apes NATO Presentation (1967)
ƒ Planet
of the Apes Vintage Featurette (1968)
ƒ A Look
Behind the Planet of the Apes (1972)
ƒ Don
Taylor Directs Escape from the Planet of the Apes
ƒ J. Lee
Thompson Directs Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
ƒ Original
Theatrical Trailers
ƒ Original
Sketches by Costume Designer Morton Haack
ƒ Photo
Gallery
ƒ
Planet of the Apes Timeline
ƒ
Interactive Pressbooks
ƒ Vintage Apes
Newspaper Galleries
ƒ
Advertising and Lobby Card Galleries
ƒ
Behind-the-Scenes Galleries
(Note: this is only the first of several official press releases Fox will issuing about the contents of the set. As noted previously on this site, the set will also include a hardcover book by Cinema Retro publishers Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall detailing the history of the franchise. This set is not yet available for pre-order from Amazon. )