Behind the Planet of the Apes

Behind the Planet of the Apes is a documentary that examines the creation and development of the Planet of the Apes film series. Hosted by Roddy McDowall, the film covers the production process from early script planning and makeup sessions to the actual filming on set. It explores the challenges faced by producers and the different directorial styles used throughout the original films and their sequels in cinema and television. The production also discusses the adaptation of the source novel and the cultural impact of the franchise.

The film was directed by Kevin Burns, who later directed Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy in 2004. The screenplay was written by David Comtois, Brian Anthony, and Burns, with Shelley Lyons serving as producer. The cast features Roddy McDowall as the host, along with appearances by Charlton Heston, Richard D. Zanuck, John Chambers, Kim Hunter, and Linda Harrison.

Released in 1998, the television movie has received generally positive feedback from viewers, holding a 7.4 rating on IMDb from 1,900 votes and a 7.1 rating on TMDB from 50 votes. These audience scores are higher than the 5.9 rating provided by film critics based on 5 reviews.