Conquest of the Planet of the Apes 1972

In a dystopian society where the canine-feline pandemic of 1983 has given rise to a regime that commodifies primates as pets and laborers, the legacy of two prophetic chimpanzee scientists, Cornelius and Zira, still resonates. Their testimony in 1973 foretold the catastrophic events that would unfold, but their untimely demise meant their warnings were ignored. The surviving legacy of their work is embodied in a remarkable individual, Caesar (formerly known as Armando’s secret child), who grows up to become a symbol of resistance against the oppressive forces that have enslaved him.

As Caesar navigates this treacherous landscape, he confronts the brutal realities of his world when he witnesses a gorilla being mercilessly beaten and drugged. The ensuing outburst of indignation is met with silence from Armando, who advises Caesar to keep his emotions in check for fear of retribution. However, when a gorilla’s cries for help are drowned out by the sounds of apathy, Caesar’s outrage boils over, and he publicly denounces the oppressors as “lousy human bastards.” This bold act of defiance prompts Armando to take responsibility for the outburst and instructs Caesar to lay low among his fellow primates.

Caesar soon finds himself trapped in a world where violence and conditioning are used to break spirits and mold bodies into docile instruments. He is sold at auction to Governor Breck, who employs him as a tool of oppression under the watchful eye of MacDonald, a complex individual whose African American heritage allows him to empathize with the apes’ plight. Meanwhile, Armando’s fate is sealed when he is forced to confront the truth under the psychological duress of Inspector Kolp’s interrogation machine.

As Caesar learns of his father figure’s demise, his faith in humanity begins to crumble. He becomes determined to reclaim his own destiny and that of his fellow primates, secretly teaching them combat skills and arming them for a rebellion. Unbeknownst to Breck, MacDonald has been secretly working towards the same goal, but he harbors doubts about the effectiveness of their revolution.

When Caesar is captured by Breck’s men and subjected to electrical torture, he is forced to betray his own kind. However, in a daring move, MacDonald helps him feign death, allowing Caesar to escape and exact revenge on his tormentor. With this act of defiance, Caesar sets himself on the path of revolution, determined to bring down the oppressive regime that has enslaved him and his fellow primates.

As Caesar’s vision for a new order gains momentum, he seizes control of Ape Management, unleashing a maelstrom of activity that sets the city ablaze. With the command center within their grasp, the apes, led by Caesar, march forth to claim victory, leaving a trail of defeated riot police in their wake. Breck, once a symbol of oppression, is marched out for execution, but MacDonald’s pleas for mercy fall on deaf ears as Caesar dedicates himself to the downfall of humanity.

As the apes prepare to deliver a merciless beating to their former tormentor, Lisa, Caesar’s partner and confidant, intervenes with a passionate cry of “No!”. Her words mark a turning point in the proceedings, as she becomes the first ape besides Caesar to articulate her thoughts aloud. The others, too, begin to question Caesar’s bloodlust, sensing the darkening storm cloud that threatens to consume them all.

However, it is Caesar who ultimately decides to spare Breck’s life, opting for compassion and humanity over brutality. Having already achieved a resounding victory, he believes they can afford to show mercy, having witnessed the dawn of a new era - one where apes have risen to claim their rightful place as masters of the planet. In this moment, Caesar’s leadership is cemented, and his followers are left to ponder the true meaning of their hard-won triumph.