Planet of the Apes
Astronaut Taylor crash lands on a distant planet ruled by apes who use a primitive race of humans for experimentation and sport. Soon Taylor finds himself among the hunted, his life in the hands of a benevolent chimpanzee scientist.
Despite its small-scale budget of $5.8M, Planet of the Apes became a solid performer, earning $32.6M worldwide—a 462% return. The film's bold vision engaged audiences, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Planet of the Apes (1968) demonstrates strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Franklin J. Schaffner's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 52 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Taylor and crew sleep in deep space suspended animation, believing in man's destiny among the stars. Taylor records his final log entry about leaving Earth behind to seek something better.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The astronauts discover primitive humans and their clothes are stolen, stripping them of their identity and technology. Moments later, gorillas on horseback attack with guns, hunting the humans like animals.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 56 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat At the tribunal, Dr. Zaius reveals he knows the truth about humanity but will suppress it to protect ape society. Taylor realizes this isn't about evidence but about power and willful ignorance. The stakes raise: it's his life or their beliefs., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 84 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Taylor is recaptured in the Forbidden Zone and threatened with castration and a lobotomy. Dr. Zaius offers him a deal: leave and never return, taking the truth of the archaeological site with him. Taylor's hope of changing ape society dies., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 90 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Dr. Zaius releases Taylor and Nova to follow the shoreline into the Forbidden Zone. Taylor accepts he must seek his own answers rather than change the apes. He chooses to discover the truth about this planet for himself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Planet of the Apes's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Planet of the Apes against these established plot points, we can identify how Franklin J. Schaffner utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Planet of the Apes within the science fiction genre.
Franklin J. Schaffner's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Franklin J. Schaffner films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Planet of the Apes represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Franklin J. Schaffner filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional science fiction films include Lake Placid, The Postman and Oblivion. For more Franklin J. Schaffner analyses, see Papillon, Patton.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Taylor and crew sleep in deep space suspended animation, believing in man's destiny among the stars. Taylor records his final log entry about leaving Earth behind to seek something better.
Theme
Landon plants the American flag and claims the planet for humanity, while Taylor questions the worth of what they've left behind, establishing the theme: what does it mean to be human, and is humanity worth saving?
Worldbuilding
The astronauts crash-land on a desolate planet, discover their ship is sinking, and trek through the Forbidden Zone desert. They find primitive vegetation and signs of life, establishing their desperate situation 2000 years in the future.
Disruption
The astronauts discover primitive humans and their clothes are stolen, stripping them of their identity and technology. Moments later, gorillas on horseback attack with guns, hunting the humans like animals.
Resistance
Taylor is captured, shot in the throat, and taken to Ape City. He struggles to prove his intelligence while voiceless, encountering the ape society's rigid hierarchy and the sympathetic chimpanzee scientists Cornelius and Zira who begin to believe he can think.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
Taylor navigates ape society, learns their laws and culture, and attempts to prove human intelligence. He bonds with Nova, faces the tribunal, and discovers the sacred scrolls that apes use to deny human evolution and maintain power.
Midpoint
At the tribunal, Dr. Zaius reveals he knows the truth about humanity but will suppress it to protect ape society. Taylor realizes this isn't about evidence but about power and willful ignorance. The stakes raise: it's his life or their beliefs.
Opposition
The tribunal becomes a show trial with false evidence and rigged testimony. Taylor is declared a mutant and heretic. Zira and Cornelius risk everything to help him escape, leading to a chase into the Forbidden Zone where Dr. Zaius follows.
Collapse
Taylor is recaptured in the Forbidden Zone and threatened with castration and a lobotomy. Dr. Zaius offers him a deal: leave and never return, taking the truth of the archaeological site with him. Taylor's hope of changing ape society dies.
Crisis
Taylor confronts Dr. Zaius about the evidence in the cave, including the talking doll that proves advanced human civilization. Zaius admits he knows the truth but fears what humanity became. Taylor processes that he may never know his true place in this world.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dr. Zaius releases Taylor and Nova to follow the shoreline into the Forbidden Zone. Taylor accepts he must seek his own answers rather than change the apes. He chooses to discover the truth about this planet for himself.
Synthesis
Taylor and Nova ride along the beach into the unknown, searching for the truth about where and when they are. Taylor holds onto hope that somewhere beyond ape territory, something better exists.
Transformation
Taylor discovers the ruins of the Statue of Liberty and realizes he's been on Earth all along. Humanity destroyed itself. He collapses in despair, crying "You maniacs! You blew it up!" His journey of hope transforms into devastating truth about human nature.