20th Century Fox is releasing a 40th anniversary Planet of the Apes set on Blu-ray. The set titled, Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution will be available on November 4th 2008 for a suggested retail price of $158.98. The massive box set will include all five Planet Of The Apes films: The 1968 original Planet Of The Apes, Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes (unrated version, previously unreleased in the U.S.), and Battle For The Planet Of The Apes. Each film will be presented in 2:35:1 widescreen with a newly mastered DTS audio. New features include an Evolution of the Apes HD Featurette, new behind the scenes HD featurettes for each sequel and much more. But I think the highlight of the collection is the beautiful box set which houses a 200-page coffee table book with artwork and liner notes. Check out the photos from HDR.

Bonus features include:

• NEW Science of the Apes BONUSVIEW - Scientists, anthropologists and sociologists discuss the facts and fiction of the first film
• NEW “Beyond the Forbidden Zone” Adventure Game
• NEW “A Public Service Announcement From ANSA” in HD – A mission report from the agency regarding their brave astronauts
• NEW “Evolution of the Apes”- HD featurette tracing the apes story from the original novel to the screen
• NEW “Impact of the Apes” - HD featurette on how to market a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. The story behind the marketing and merchandising of one of the first ever film franchises and the series’ lasting influence on pop culture through the years
• NEW HD Making-of Featurette for Each Sequel:
  • Beneath the Planet of the Apes – “From Alpha to Omega: Building a Sequel”
  • Escape from the Planet of the Apes – “ The Secret Behind Escape”
  • Conquest of the Planet of the Apes – “ Riots and Revolutions: Confronting the Times”
  • Battle for the Planet of the Apes – “ End of an Epic: The Final Battle”
• NEW Each Apes sequel will have an isolated score track in 5.1 DTS Master Audio
• Commentary by Composer Jerry Goldsmith
• Commentary by Actors Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy, Kim Hunter and Makeup Artist John Chambers
• Text Commentary by Eric Greene and Author of “Planet of the Apes as American Myth”
• Behind the Planet of the Apes Documentary – Includes all new interactivity and timeline
• Behind the Planet of the Apes Promo (1988)
• Planet of the Apes Makeup Test with Edward G. Robinson (1966)
• Roddy McDowall On-set Footage
• Planet of the Apes Dailies and Outtakes (No Audio)
• Planet of the Apes NATO Presentation (1967)
• Planet of the Apes Vintage Featurette (1968)
• A Look Behind the Planet of the Apes (1972)
• Don Taylor Directs Escape from the Planet of the Apes
• J. Lee Thompson Directs Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
• Original Theatrical Trailers
• Original Sketches by Costume Designer Morton Haack
• Photo Gallery
• Planet of the Apes Timeline
• Interactive Pressbooks
• Vintage Apes Newspaper Galleries
• Advertising and Lobby Card Galleries
• Behind-the-Scenes Galleries

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