Cinema Retro has just received an official press release from Fox detailing the contents of the 40th anniversary Planet of the Apes Blu-ray DVD collection which will be released on November 4. This initial press release confines itself to the content of the discs themselves and doesn't address the packaging or other bonus items included in the set. It's safe to say Fox has done an outstanding job of amassing vintage rarities and commissioning much-needed new retrospectives on the series. The highlight is the release of an un-rated version of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes that includes never-before-seen footage. Here are highlights from the Fox official press release:

Humans are even uglier in High-Def when Planet Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection takes over the Earth November 4^th in North America and throughout the Fall Internationally from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. This spectacular set includes all five hair - raising Planet Of The Apes films on Blu-ray for the first time, including Beneath The Planet Of The Apes, Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes, Battle For The Planet Of The Apes, and the 1968 original Planet Of The Apes, which stunned audiences with its now-iconic conclusion and shockingly dystopian view of humanity’s fate. From an age of film when science fiction served as allegory in addition to providing thrilling spectacle and edge-of-your-seat adventure, the Planet Of The Apes franchise set the gold standard for Sci-Fi films. Now the films that changed the face of science fiction forever will be available in the ultimate home viewing format. This year’s Comic Con International 2008 provided fans a first look at some of the exciting extras to be featured on the Blu-ray discs.

Planet Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection is packed with exclusive new High-Def content. As a special treat for Apes fans, the collection includes an unrated version of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. Previously unreleased in the United States, this version includes eight minutes of unrated footage. Other new special content includes an “Evolution of the Apes” documentary chronicling the evolution of the Apes universe from novel to the big screen, an “Impact of the Apes” featurette exploring the cultural impact of the franchise and a never-before-seen public service announcement from ANSA about the seminal flight of the “Project Liberty” crew. Each Planet Of The Apes sequel included in the beautifully packaged collection will contain brand new High-Def making-of featurettes and will be available for the suggested retail price of $159.98 U.S.

In addition, the previously released Limited Edition Planet Of The Apes Ultimate Collection will be available in the uniquely packaged ape head just in time for the holidays at a more attractive price.

Planet Of The Apes: 40 Year Evolution Blu-ray Collection Blu-ray Disc Special Features:

Each Planet Of The Apes Blu-ray Disc will be authored in Java on a double-layer disc presented in widescreen (2.35:1 aspect ratio) with newly mastered English 5.1 DTS Master Audio, English, Spanish and French Mono and includes English and Spanish subtitles. All new special features will be presented in High-Def. Bonus features include:

ƒ NEW Science of the Apes BONUSVIEW - Scientists, anthropologists and sociologists discuss the facts and fiction of the first film

ƒ NEW “Beyond the Forbidden Zone” Adventure Game

ƒ NEW “A Public Service Announcement From ANSA” in HD – A mission report from the agency regarding their brave astronauts

ƒ NEW “Evolution of the Apes”- HD featurette tracing the apes story from the original novel to the screen

ƒ 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

ƒNEW HD Making-of Featurette for Each Sequel:

ƒ Beneath the Planet of the Apes – “From Alpha to Omega: Building a Sequel”

ƒ Escape from the Planet of the Apes – “ The Secret Behind Escape”

ƒ Conquest of the Planet of the Apes – “ Riots and Revolutions: Confronting the Times”

ƒ Battle for the Planet of the Apes – “ End of an Epic: The Final Battle”

ƒ NEW Each Apes sequel will have an isolated score track in 5.1 DTS Master Audio

ƒ Commentary by Composer Jerry Goldsmith

ƒ Commentary by Actors Roddy McDowall, Natalie Trundy, Kim Hunter and Makeup Artist John Chambers

ƒ Text Commentary by Eric Greene and Author of “Planet of the Apes as American Myth”

ƒ Behind the Planet of the Apes Documentary – Includes all new interactivity and timeline

ƒ Behind the Planet of the Apes Promo (1988)

ƒ Planet of the Apes Makeup Test with Edward G. Robinson (1966)

ƒ Roddy McDowall On-set Footage

ƒ Planet of the Apes Dailies and Outtakes (No Audio)

ƒ Planet of the Apes NATO Presentation (1967)

ƒ Planet of the Apes Vintage Featurette (1968)

ƒ A Look Behind the Planet of the Apes (1972)

ƒ Don Taylor Directs Escape from the Planet of the Apes

ƒ J. Lee Thompson Directs Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

ƒ Original Theatrical Trailers

ƒ Original Sketches by Costume Designer Morton Haack

ƒ Photo Gallery

ƒ Planet of the Apes Timeline

ƒ Interactive Pressbooks

ƒ Vintage Apes Newspaper Galleries

ƒ Advertising and Lobby Card Galleries

ƒ Behind-the-Scenes Galleries

(Note: this is only the first of several official press releases Fox will issuing about the contents of the set. As noted previously on this site, the set will also include a hardcover book by Cinema Retro publishers Lee Pfeiffer and Dave Worrall detailing the history of the franchise. This set is not yet available for pre-order from Amazon. )