I’ve always had a strange fascination with the old Planet of the Apes movies, though I didn’t realize the quality of the first film until years later. Probably the great masks and the setting were interesting enough to inspire me as a teenager. I also liked the very simple setting, which then had some subtleties and above all transported the satire of the literary template.
Taylor is created
When I saw the great monkey miniatures from Crooked Dice and bought them right away, I knew I would need a Taylor (Charlton Heston) as well. To my knowledge, however, there is no corresponding miniature. After searching the internet for a while (from beginning to end!), I built one myself. The basis was the “Lord of the Jungle” from Reaper Miniatures. Because of the loincloth and the pose he seemed to fit, not too much modification would be needed. In his left hand he held a dagger, which I replaced with a rifle and then repositioned the arm.
After that, he needed a proper haircut. I filed off most of the long hair and redesigned Taylor’s hairstyle. Then I tried to file down the muscles a bit, because Charlton Heston had a strong physique, but was far from being so defined. Unfortunately, I accidentally undid that with my painting because I unintentionally emphasized the muscles again. Now he looks pretty toned again. But in general, I’m very happy with the result.
Dr. Zira and Cornelius
Dr. Zira and Cornelius are the two sympathetic figures among the apes in the first Planet of the Apes film. Actually, not only among the apes. Charlton Heston’s character I don’t really feel sympathetic towards, even though he is the hero of the film. I can relate much more to the curious scientists who overcome their own prejudices and subsequently even take on danger for their beliefs. The spectacular and convincing masks have always fascinated me as much as their scientific curiosity and enlightened spirit, with which the prevailing dogmas were challenged. Thinking about it, I would like to see the film again now.
The miniatures from Crooked Dice have thrilled me once again. The casting is top notch as always, but I also find them extremely well modeled after the original. They come in a set with Dr. Zaius and Urko.
“Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil’s pawn. Alone among God’s primates, he kills for sport, or lust, or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother’s land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him; drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.”
Planet of the Apes (1968)
