Dr. Hasslein (Planet of the Apes)

Dr. Hasslein (Planet of the Apes)

In the "Planet of the Apes" movie series, Dr. Otto Hasslein is a physicist attached to the space flight project that sends astronauts Taylor, Dodge, Landon, and Brent to the world of the apes. He was portrayed in the third "Apes" film, "Escape from the Planet of the Apes", by actor Eric Braeden. In the novelization of the film, his first name is Victor.

Even before appearing onscreen, Hasslein's name is part of the series storyline, as the scientist who proposed the "Hasslein curve" – a form of time dilation possible with the craft used in the movies. When he does appear in "Escape", he explains his theories of time, and his belief that changing the future may be possible.

Learning that talking chimpanzees Cornelius and Zira have actually arrived in the present day (1973 in the movie) from Earth's own future, where mankind has fallen to the level of beasts while apes rose to power and intellect, Hasslein sees confirmation of his theories – and becomes afraid that the pair's presence may somehow set man's downfall in motion. As the President's science advisor, he expresses his concerns, resulting in Cornelius and Zira first being taken into custody, then interrogated at length.

Provoked by Zira's drugged admissions of her experimentation on humans, and Cornelius giving details of his historical research into man's decline, the Presidential Commission appointed to deal with "Alien Visitors" concludes (in a reflection of Taylor's fate before the Ape council in the first movie, with Hasslein in the place of Dr. Zaius) that the couple's unborn baby should be "prevented" from birth, and that Zira and Cornelius should be "humanely rendered incapable" of conceiving again, with their ultimate fate to be decided later – at Hasslein's determination, though it appears likely they will be handed over either to scientists or the military for study.

When Cornelius and Zira escape military custody (at the beginnings of Zira's labor pains), Hasslein mounts a full-scale hunt, including searches of all local circuses and zoos. Days later, a carpet bag abandoned by Zira turns up, near the derelict shipyard where they have been hiding, and the pair are spotted soon afterward, with Zira carrying a baby chimp, so Hasslein knows she has given birth.

Boarding their ship, Hasslein approaches Zira, pistol in hand, and demands she give him the baby, as the authorities approach. Before they arrive, he gets the baby away from her, firing several shots into the swaddling blankets, then turns the gun on Zira.

Cornelius had earlier asked Dr. Lewis Dixon, who had told the couple about the shipyard as a hiding place, for the means "to kill ourselves" to avoid being captured, and was given a pistol. Heretofore a pacifist, Cornelius now uses the pistol to avenge his wife, shooting at Hasslein from a crow's nest on the ship. As the authorities arrive, Hasslein and Cornelius trade gunfire. Cornelius kills Hasslein, but is himself killed by sharpshooters, falling to the deck.

Despite Hasslein's best intentions, the baby he killed was not the offspring of Zira and Cornelius – and his treatment of their arrival may have just set in motion everything Hasslein hoped to prevent.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Planet of the Apes (TV series) — Infobox Television show name = Planet of the Apes. caption = Part of the intertitle to Planet of the Apes format = Science fiction drama runtime = approx. 47 minutes creator = Anthony Wilson executive producer = Herbert Hirschman producer = Stan… …   Wikipedia

  • Beneath the Planet of the Apes — Infobox Film name = Beneath the Planet of the Apes caption = film poster by Tom Chantrell imdb id = 0065462 director = Ted Post writer = Pierre Boulle (characters) Paul Dehn and Mort Abrahams (story) Paul Dehn (screenplay) starring = James… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Planet of the Apes characters — The Planet of the Apes franchise features many characters that appear in one or more works. Contents 1 Aldo 2 Armando 3 Governor Breck 3.1 Notes …   Wikipedia

  • List of characters in the Planet of the Apes films — The Planet of the Apes franchise features many characters that appear in one or more works. Contents 1 Aldo 2 Armando 3 Governor Breck 3.1 Notes …   Wikipedia

  • Escape from the Planet of the Apes — Infobox Film name=Escape from the Planet of the Apes imdb id=0067065 director=Don Taylor writer=Pierre Boulle (characters) Paul Dehn (screenplay) starring=Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Bradford Dillman released=May 21, 1971 (U.S. release)… …   Wikipedia

  • Cornelius (Planet of the Apes) — Dr. Cornelius is a chimpanzee archaeologist and historian, appearing in the original novel of Planet of the Apes ( La Planète des Singes ), and also the first three installments of the classic movie series of the same name, from the 1960s and… …   Wikipedia

  • Armando (Planet of the Apes) — Señor Armando is the owner of a circus, a human friend of Cornelius and Zira, and foster father of Caesar in the Planet of the Apes movie series. He was portrayed by actor Ricardo Montalbán.A believer in Saint Francis of Assisi, who loved all… …   Wikipedia

  • Maddox (Planet of the Apes) — Colonel Andrew Maddox is an American astronaut, in the second Planet of the Apes movie, 1970 s Beneath the Planet of the Apes. He was portrayed by actor Tod Andrews.Maddox commanded the rescue mission sent to find astronauts Taylor, Dodge, Landon …   Wikipedia

  • Flucht vom Planet der Affen — Filmdaten Deutscher Titel Flucht vom Planet der Affen Originaltitel Escape from the Planet of the Apes …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Don Pedro Colley — (born 30 August 1938) is an American actor. Colley was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Muriel and Pete Colley. He attended Klamath Union High School and actively played American football and athletics, which led to an unsuccessful try out for… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”