1991: America has become a police state where mute apes have become pets (a virus from space has killed all cats and dogs), servants, and slaves. Hidden since birth by circus owner Ricardo Montalban, only Caesar (Roddy McDowall), son of Cornelius and Zira, is capable of speech. Sold by auction to State Governor Don Murray, he sees firsthand the cruel treatment of his fellow apes, and begins organizing for a simian revolution—a monkey Moses who declares “I will lead my people from their captivity!”