Ari was disgusted by the apes"" treatment of humans: "Demeans us as much as them," witnessing how General Thade purchased a little 5 year-old girl (Callie Croughwell) human as a ""pet"" for his niece, and led her away on a leash.He could be an officer in 4 years and have his own ship in 8 years, and further fulfill what his heroic father did in 12 minutes of command (save 800 lives): "I dare you to do better.Myers grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchen of the gray-haired, pink bathrobe-wearing wife (Lucille Benson), who was preparing a sandwich.Part of the impetus for the historical epic was Douglas"" rejection to play the title role in director William Wyler""s similar Best Picture-winningBen-Hur (1959).