Where Was Planet Of The Apes 1968 Filmed

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about a certain Planet of the Apes, the one that blew minds back in '68. You know, the one with Charlton Heston, the guy who looked like he'd just seen a ghost when he found that Statue of Liberty. Well, buckle up, 'cause we're going on a little journey to find out where this cinematic masterpiece was filmed.

California, Here We Come!

Now, I know what you're thinking, "But I thought they went to some exotic, far-off land to film this thing!" Well, sorry to disappoint, but the reality is a bit more... domestic. That's right, folks, Planet of the Apes was filmed right in our own backyard, or rather, Hollywood's backyard - California.

But don't worry, it wasn't all just studio lots and sound stages. No, they ventured out into the wild, wild west (or at least, the wild, wild desert). You see, the filmmakers had their eyes on a particular spot in the Mojave Desert. And no, they weren't looking for water, they were looking for location, location, location.

Welcome to Ape-land, Population: Apes

So, where exactly did they find this perfect ape habitat? Well, they ended up in a place called 20th Century Fox Ranch, which is now known as Malibu Creek State Park. Yes, you heard it here first, folks. The iconic landscapes of Planet of the Apes were just a stone's throw away from the beach.

But they didn't just stick to one spot. Oh no, they were all over the place. They filmed in the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park for those epic chase scenes. You know, the ones where the apes are riding horses and the humans are running for their lives. And who can forget the Bronson Caverns, where they shot the infamous "You maniacs!" scene?

Monkey Business in the Studio

Now, you might be thinking, "But what about all those apes? Did they just run around in the desert all day?" Well, no, not exactly. You see, the apes you see on screen are a mix of things - men in suits, animatronics, and even some real apes. But they didn't just let them run wild in the desert. No, no, that would be insane.

Planet of the Apes 1968 Filming Locations - Then & Now 4K - YouTube

Most of the ape action was filmed on sound stages at 20th Century Fox Studios in Los Angeles. I mean, can you imagine trying to direct a scene with real apes in the desert? It would be like herding cats. Or, you know, apes.

And the Winner for Best Supporting Statue is...

But we can't talk about Planet of the Apes without mentioning the pièce de résistance, the grand finale, the moment that made Charlton Heston's hair turn white - the Statue of Liberty scene.

Now, you might think they went all the way to New York to film this. But no, they were still in California. They built a full-size replica of the Statue of Liberty's head on the coast in Marina del Rey. And when I say full-size, I mean full-size. It was so big, they had to use a crane to move it around. Talk about a heavy head!

Planet Of The Apes 1968 Filming Locations

So, There You Have It!

And there you have it, folks. The behind-the-scenes scoop on where Planet of the Apes was filmed. It's not all that glamorous, is it? I mean, who would have thought that the planet of the apes was just a stone's throw away from the beach in California?

But hey, that's Hollywood for you. It's all smoke and mirrors, folks. One minute you're filming in the desert, the next you're on the coast, and all the while, Charlton Heston is just trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

So, next time you're watching Planet of the Apes, remember, it's not just a movie, it's a love letter to the great state of California. And who knows, maybe you'll spot a palm tree or two in the background. Until next time, folks!