Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Escape from the Planet of the Apes is a 1971 science fiction film directed by Don Taylor and written by Paul Dehn. It stars Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman and Ricardo Montalbn. It is the third of five films in the original Planet of the Apes series produced by Arthur P. Jacobs, the second being Beneath the Planet of the Apes 1970. Its plot centers on many social issues of the day including scientific experimentation on animals, nuclear war and government intrusion. The film was well received by critics, getting the best reviews of the four Planet of the Apes sequels. It was followed by Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.

Escape from the Planet of the Apes begins by establishing that three apesCornelius Roddy McDowall, Zira Kim Hunter, and Dr. Milo Sal Mineoescaped the Earths destruction by salvaging and repairing Taylors spaceship and piloting it through the shock wave of Earths destruction, sending the ship through a time warp. The salvage, repair and launch all happen offcamera during the final act of the previous film.The apes arrive on Earth in 1973, splashing down off the Pacific coast of the United States. They are transported to a secluded ward of the Los Angeles Zoo, under the observation of scientists Dr. Stephanie Branton Natalie Trundy and Dr. Lewis Dixon Bradford Dillman. The apes decide not to let the humans know that they can speak. They also agree not to let them know that Earth will be destroyed because of the Ape War. Later, the apes power of speech is revealed when Zira becomes impatient during an experiment. Soon after, Dr. Milo is killed by a zoo gorilla who becomes agitated during an argument amongst the three chimpanzees. Lewis tries to communicate with the apes that he is peaceful and he wishes to treat them as equals, and Cornelius and Zira form a friendship with him and Dr. Branton. ........

Source: Wikipedia