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Summary: Coppola is to war films as Picasso was to art.
Review: This is the ultimate war movie. Whereas Saving Private Ryan was gritty realism, Apocalypse Now is urbane surrealism. The whole movie has this elusive, mysterious narrative style to it. It's also kind of neat to watch this movie drift into this gung-ho action movie, with a little help from the brillant Robert Duvall, and quickly decend into a dark, disturbing nightmare about Vietnam. You have to see this movie at least once in your lifetime!
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Summary: Conrad by Way of Coppola
Review: I first saw this film about one and a half years ago, and thought it sucked. I found it confusing, poorly structured, and pretty much just a collection of snappily photographed vignettes. Then for a class I was required to read and analyze Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," the literary basis for "Apocalypse Now." I watched it again in class because our teacher thought watching the video would help the class understand the book, but for me it was the other way around -- the book shed new light on the film. Now that I actually GET what the film is about (and it's not just a typical 70s-era anti-war propaganda piece by liberal filmmakers), it is almost impossible to explain, because the scope is so huge. One of the central themes is that man exists with a black heart beating inside, and in the right (or rather horribly wrong) situation, it can be allowed to burst forth and unleash the hellish consequences of giving into our primal nature. This film examines the journey men take to that place where they can look over the abyss into the pit of insanity that is ever-present and waiting to engulf them. The brilliant cinematography captures the Jungian essence of such a journey; this is all made possible by the direction of Francis Ford Coppola (who actually surpasses all of his other work with this film, including the "Godfather" movies) and his cowriters, who perfectly translated the book into a modern and therefore more REAL setting. I guess what I mean to say is that if a moviegoer wants to have a much more rewarding experience with this film, they should read and re-read the original masterpiece which inspired this film. Most of the scenes, and even some of the dialogue are taken straight from the book which is actually set in Africa against the backdrop of the ivory trade. Put both together, the book and the movie, and you will have one of the most unsettling, most terrifying, and most deeply profound experiences to be had in cinema. rating: 4 1/2 stars of five.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and masterful
Review: This movie is one amazing feat. Aside from the insanity that was involved during the making of this film, the movie looks amazing. Each scene is memorable and filmed with such expertise. The DVD version looks great in the widescreen format. The extras are nice, but what is really great is the movie itself. One of the most powerful films ever made, it is also one that is a marvel to watch again and again. Please buy it.
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Summary: Heart Of Brilliance
Review: This is a great film. Adapted from the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart Of Darkness, the film takes the book's post-colonial setting and transforms it into a tale set amidst the Vietnam War. However the film is not really about the War itself. It is more of a tale about the human mind: the hero's jounrney with a bit of life commentary thrown in.The acting is strong, it fits the film perfectly. Visually and sonicallly the film is before its time; even by this era's standards the cinematography is outstanding. Altogether this is a superior film production, and the hectic reality of what happend behind the scenes during the shooting only makes the film all the more intriging.
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Summary: One helluva film, not to mention it's quality on DVD
Review: I rented this on a worn out pan n scan VHS copy, but even then it didn't stop from hitting me with a strong impact. It is not a film that is to be taken literally, this is not a Platoon or even Full Metal Jacket. The Vietnam war; the inner turmoil of war in general, is used as a metaphor of insanity in this film. It's not about the brotherhood formed between soilders, or even the relationships between them. And the DVD... This is one DVD to not be with out. Regardless of how little extras are on it, the sound quality and cristine visual quality are incredible, it actually makes up for the lack of extras. Goodbye.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy, consume, enjoy
Review: It's a neat movie, although Brando could have phoned in his part -- an obese disinterested ham. Hopper just doesn't fit, despite the fact that he hadn't bathed for 2 weeks -- a real Kurtz would have run him out. Too many things at the end of the movie that don't cut it. Best part may be the (Michael Herr) narration which was beautifully delivered. That business about Coppola needing more choppers? The last thing it needs is MORE CHOPPERS! Typical American hype, and it goes like this: let me show you how screwed up we really were. But the subtext always is: hey, great isn't it? We do it better than anyone else, right? We can blow more dynamite, crash more automobiles, field more choppers, sell you more trash . . . and then we can make a movie about it that you get TO BUY and think HOW GREAT WE REALLY ARE! Because our wars are better, our gangsters are more insane, our corporations more crass, our government more inscrutable . . . Movie business. It's all about competition. Competition is good. No problem there. Just see where all these people are coming from. That's what I get from this movie. Well done. The thing is, I believe, to still be able to see both sides: the film as art, and the film as business. To be able to see the war, the movie, its promotion, all these five star reviews (come on, how can a film be "perfect?"), etc., as part of a continuum. All films are exploitational. "Only an American" would say that he "loves the smell of Napalm in the morning." Then again, the guy never existed. So this too is myth. Powerful stuff. If the commies had made it we would call it propaganda, of course! No American movie maker is going to make a major movie that REALLY makes America look bad. Buy, consume, enjoy.
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Summary: Out of Sight!
Review: Simply a fantastic movie and I hartily recomend the BVD version. The suround sound is overwhelming, even in Ireland where I live. I have never fought in Vietnam but this feels just like it. The feeling of the movie beyond the Goalong Bridge is so eerie, beyond belief, an awesome experience. While some reviewers put this flick down as unrealistic (comparing it to their real life experiences in the Nam) I find it a powerful metaphor and it reminds me a lot of our great Irish filmmaker Pog Mahone (hope I got his name right) and of the great Indian films of Rappari. I have watched this disc so many times and it is still great. Martin Scorcese should be mayor of New York!
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Summary: nam?
Review: don't get me wrong, this is an okay movie. it's just that for once i'd like to see a vietnam movie where the entire cast dosn't go insane! all the vietnam movies that are out now make it look like all the people the went to "'nam" came back crazy!. i know some vietnam veterans and they are perfectly sane!
Rating: 
Summary: Vietnam?
Review: Alot of people loved this movie but if you were there like I was(68-69) you'd be saying"What the Hell is this?" They should have called it"The Manson Family of the Boonies" Ridiculous!
Rating:
Summary: flawed masterpiece
Review: i love this movie but i really think something was missing. it was supposed to be a movie of heart of darkness but it turned into a movie on the realities of vietnam. still a great movie though.
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