Aldo (Planet of the Apes)

In the Planet of the Apes movie series, Aldo is the leader of the gorilla factions (and the ape revolution, by extension) during the rise of the ape society prior to humanity's downfall, as the "highest species" of the planet.

Related Topics:
Planet of the Apes - Gorilla

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He is first referenced in the third Apes movie, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, when the chimpanzee Cornelius describes him as the first ape to acquire the power of speech—and the first to say "No!" to his human captors. He appears in the next film, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, but his first speech is pre-empted (so to speak) by Caesar, the son of Cornelius and Zira, who also leads the ape revolt. (It is argued by some fans that Caesar's appearance and actions changed the timeline, being born after his parents travelled back in time, and thus the planet's demise in Beneath the Planet of the Apes might be avoided.)

Related Topics:
Escape from the Planet of the Apes - Cornelius - Conquest of the Planet of the Apes - Caesar - Zira - Back in time - Beneath the Planet of the Apes

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In the fifth and final film, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, Aldo emerges (portrayed engagingly by actor Claude Akins) as the general of the gorilla militia, who mostly guard the outskirts of Ape City, and practise with mock weapons. He is both jealous of Caesar (and his son, who bests him in the school all apes must attend) and would like to take his place as leader, and of his human advisors. Humans live alongside apes in the city, but as second class citizens.

Related Topics:
Battle for the Planet of the Apes - Claude Akins - Second class citizens

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Discovering a large number of (irradiated) humans still live underground in the bomb-destroyed city they escaped, as he is discovered during a trip to the ruins, Caesar implores the apes to prepare themselves, in case those humans emerge to attack. Aldo uses the alarm as an excuse to corral all the humans of Ape City, break into the armoury to seize guns and other weapons, and declare martial law, with himself as de-facto leader. Meanwhile Caesar's son has been injured falling from a tree, and he doesn't want to leave his son's side, so Aldo can do as he pleases. Caesar only remembers his duty toward the other apes, when an attack indeed comes.

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Caesar and Aldo fight together, but with the enemy driven back, Caesar discovers Aldo's usurpation of power, his treatment of the humans, and Aldo's role in his son's fate. Caesar and Aldo battle it out, from the ground to the trees, and for ultimate control of the ape/human society.

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