Planet of the Apes (1968) — Screenplay
An astronaut crash-lands on a world where intelligent apes rule and humans are mute slaves; he must escape captivity and prove his humanity before being dissected.
- Written by
- Michael Wilson, Rod Serling, Pierre Boulle
- Genre
- Science Fiction, Adventure
- Studio
- Twentieth Century Studios
- Length
- 134 pages
This screenplay is a masterclass in escalating tension and world-building through visual storytelling. Study its use of reverse perspective, where the audience discovers the planet's rules alongside the protagonist, and how its sharp, ironic dialogue deepens the sci-fi premise without exposition dumps. The tight three-act structure, from capture to courtroom to revelation, offers a model for pacing a philosophical thriller.
Read the full Planet of the Apes (1968) screenplay in PDF, page by page, right here on Laper — or download the original script to study Michael Wilson, Rod Serling, Pierre Boulle’s scene work, dialogue and structure at your own pace. A free resource for screenwriters and film students learning Hollywood script format.