Apocalypse Now

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Summary: Coppola's War
Review: It is a world unlike anything that we will ever experience in our lives. It's a world of fear, hate, misunderstanding and death. It's a world without reason. It's a world of horror. This is the portrait that is painted for us by Francis Ford Coppola in his 1979 masterpiece, Apocalypse Now. Loosely based on Joseph Conrad's 1902 short story, Heart of Darkness, the legendary Coppola, director of the immensely popular Godfather trilogy, tells us the story of Vietnam that screamed to be told and mesmerized audiences in the late 1970s to the tune of $150 million, three Golden Globes and eight Academy Award nominations.
Apocalypse Now is the unnerving tale of the fatefully intertwined lives of Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) and Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). In Willard's narration at the beginning of the movie, he tells us "I wanted a mission, and for my sins I got one. And when it was over I'd never want another." The mission in question is the quest that Willard is sent on, boating with a small crew of young sailors on a river that runs throughout the heart of the Vietnam War and into Cambodia, where Willard's assignment is to seek out the renegade American Colonel and terminate his command "with extreme prejudice." The movie follows Willard on his journey and gives us a glimpse at the horror and the hell that stemmed from this jungle conflict thirty years ago.
Coppola uses long camera shots and slow transitions between scenes throughout the better part of the movie, and they work wonders in relating to the viewer the feeling that these brave young soldiers must have had as they floated down the river on that deadly journey. The long shots create a cryptically slow and methodical pace, and they give the viewer ample opportunity to try to analyze the state of mind of both Captain Willard and Colonel Kurtz, thus making Apocalypse Now a wonderful psychological thriller in addition to being the tremendous war story that it already is.
Coppola's film also benefited heavily from the genius that he showed in selecting his music and sound. In fact, Apocalypse Now won an Academy Award for Best Sound and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score. He mixed in some rock n' roll, like the Rolling Stones, to give the viewer a sense of time and place and in order to increase their adrenaline during some of the more exciting scenes (such as when Captain Willard rises from the water en route to slay Colonel Kurtz), plus he used some popular classical music (when Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore leads his flock of helicopters against the Vietnamese village), and the wonderful classical score throughout the film was reminiscent of Coppola's previous success, The Godfather.
Of the eight Academy Awards that Apocalypse Now was nominated for, it won two, and one of those (Sound) has already been mentioned, but I'd be remiss not to mention the second, Best Cinematography. This award was well deserved as Apocalypse Now used many aspects of cinematography and mise-en-scene in order to create so many wonderful and thoroughly memorable scenes. One such scene was when Willard's crew arrived at the Do-Lung Bridge. Coppola showed the view from Willard's eyes, as he was ducking down in the trench and asked a soldier named Roach if he knew who was in command. You could only see the faces of Roach and Willard when the darkness was interrupted by slow, pulsing bursts of light that were created by the explosions and the flares shot into the air as Roach gave his spine-chilling reply. A second scene that I'd like to mention, that was alluded to before, was when Captain Willard rose from the river, face covered in mud and camouflage on his way to kill Colonel Kurtz. This scene was beautifully done as the camera was kept at water level to see Willard slowly rising, not unlike an alligator, to the surface in pursuit of his prey. Smog billows off the water and Sheen's character brandishes the sword with which he is going to honorably kill Colonel Kurtz, so that Kurtz can go out the way that he wanted to - as a soldier. The whole movie was filmed in this manner, and that is why it warranted its Academy Award.
I really loved this movie. It kept me entranced from beginning to end, and whether or not it is an accurate description of what life was like in the Vietnam War, to me is irrelevant. For me, Apocalypse Now was nothing more than a tremendous story about one man's journey through hell, in order to relieve a tortured man's soul that has experienced more horror than anybody should ever have to endure, from his greatest burden. His life.

Rating:
Summary: This is not a War Film
Review: This is not a war film, though often mistaken for one, leading to the false opinion of attempting and failing. Rather this is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" set in the convienent realm of Veitnam that is more accessible to the general public than some deep, dark, primal Africa.

In this effort the film succeeds remakably bringing to the fore all of the conflicts both of "Marlow" as he travels into the "heart of darkness" and struggles to resist the desires to be an effective God, or to follow his original intention, to kill Kurtz, and the depths to which Kurtz has lost himself to his dark desires. "The horror."

Rating:
Summary: How much can man handle?
Review: 1979 film by Francis Ford Coppola, inspired by the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Great cast staring: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duval, Lawrence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, and Dennis Hoper. This film was nominated for both Best Picture and Directing.

This is an epic tale of a man (Willard) with a mission to kill an ex-military leader (Kurtz), who has gone insane, from the reality of wars, and has killed three officials, with his own army of followers. At the start you see how ill Willard feels from this War, and he accepts the mission, but does not realize how terrifying it will be. By the end of the film you could say Willard has taken on the role that Kurtz had filled.
The closer he gets to Kurtz, the more absurd his situation gets. The film is very well made, and can be analyzed for hours. Every shot and scene, the music that plays, the narration, adds to the idea of what the War is doing to these men. Being in a distant land away from home, away from loved ones, needing to kill. This film can be seen as an existential crisis, with all the absurdities and brutality Willard sees on his mission to execute Kurtz. See this film, for the inspiration, and epic story telling it contains. There are so many memorable characters, and moments. If you like war films, you have to see this, and anyone who likes an interesting story would enjoy this. But beware this film contains strong themes of horror and insanity. Be glad you are not in war. 5 stars. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful, dark, memorable.
Review: Having read many of the negative reviews of the 'Redux' version, I purchased the 'original' and have no regrets. Seeing this movie in DVD format on a large screen so surpassed my original (and multiple) VHS viewings it was like seeing the movie for the first time. The colors and sound jump out at you and all the dialogue is now crystal clear. I have always loved this movie and the DVD version makes it an even more valuable part of my collection.

Sheen is excellent, a refreshing throwback from his more recently questionable roles (and questionable politics). This is perhaps his best performance ever, with the possible exception of "Badlands". Brando's role is short but incredibly effective, and of course everyone loves Robert Duvall (with his now infamous "Napalm" line).

This all being said, the movie is not for everyone. It has (for better or worse) become more or less a cult movie for baby-boomers and X'ers alike. One can argue whether the underlying deep message of 'Apocalypse' (if there indeed is one) justifies it's somewhat pretentious and 'artsy' nature - either way, some will be repulsed by the violent yet surreal aura that carries the viewer on his hellish yet thought-provoking journey. One thing is for sure - this is not a movie "about" Vietnam.

"Apocalypse Now" is a film one does not forget quickly.

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Summary: 2nd only to godfather
Review: spacy movie leaves a lot to the imagination dont get the REDUX all it has are spoilers

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Summary: Hauntingly disturbing
Review: This masterful adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is an intriguing look into the mind confronted with madness. As Martin Sheen's Cpt. Willard tells us, the story is about his journey as well as about Marlon Brando's Col. Kurtz. The story takes place in Vietnam and Cambodia during the war rather than in Africa.

The scenes Coppola gives us are unnerving. The way Brando fades in and out of darkness, and eventually Sheen, creates in us an almost physical response to their touch with madness. Are these characters mad or are they giving a sane reaction to the madness in their surroundings? Everyone is trying to survive the horror of the war, but by embracing that horror, these two characters somehow make some sense of it themselves.

This is an intense film, and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: as powerful as ever
Review: This is one of the few films that I would classify as not just an amazing motion picture but great art as well.A film you don't watch but experience.

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Summary: Journey into the unkown
Review: This is the war version of 2001. It could well be known as "1971: A 'Nam Odyssey. The movie is strange, yet compelling. Vittorio Storaro's stunning work here is probably in the top 5 film photographing jobs ever. Not exactly a Vietnam war film like Platoon or Full Metal Jacket, but more a surreal journey and visual montage of a nightmare VISION through the Vietnam War.

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Summary: Try To See the Original first
Review: It was the original movie that so impressed me and still does. It's the original that I have in my collection.

To understand this film, one must realize that it is a subjective view of the war in Vietnam. It is not the war as it really was, and I do not believe that the intent was there. The intent was to portray the inner turmoil of the principal characters. Many of these characters are not truly military types. They are plain ordinary people whose lot in life put them into a dirty, nasty war.

This is a must see film, and that is not saying that you will like it, or consider it worthy of the four stars I give it. It is a must see film so that you're aware of it. And try to realize as you watch it that this is a story of man at war as much with his inner nature as in the physical enemy.

Lots has been said about this film, and I have given you my slant on it to be read in conncection with the perceptions of the other reviewers. You might not want to see it as entertainment, but if you give it a chance, it will stimulate you into using your mind, and though you might well come to different conclusions than others who've seen it, you will have exercised your mental facilities while watching this

Rating:
Summary: Redux version as good as the original, but only better
Review: Before Oliver Stone and Stanley Kubrick tackled the subject of the Vietnam War in two controversial movies that were brought to worldwide acclaim, veteran filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (fresh from his success in The Godfather) brought to the cinema screens a powerful, controversial film about Vietnam, and the madness that followed with it. It also depicted the darker side of man, and how the bush wars of Southeast Asia brought out the worst in people. Since its debut in 1979, Coppola's Apocalypse Now has gone on to become a classic film and one of two accurate descriptions of the Vietnam Conflict. It also became one of The american Film Institute's 100 Greatest Movies of all time.

Twenty-two years after the film's release, the explosively violent film was re-released under the current new title, with fufty minutes of never before seen footage. With a running time of three hours and thirty minutes, the film is just as better and is shown the way as it was meant to be seen. as Coppola has stated, "It is sexier, funnier, more bizarre, more romantic, and is more politically intriguing." Indeed, not only is it a more richer, fuller, textured film experience, it also provides clear facts as to how the British and the American public were lied to. It also lets the audience feel the immediacy, the insanity, the brutality, the exhilaration, the sensuousness, the horror, the hypocracy, and the moral dilemma of America's most surreal, losing, and nightmarish war. It also certainly more enjoyable than reading Sarah Dailey's one dimesional column pieces in The Louisville Cardinal.

The film tells the story of U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Willard, who is given orders by his superiors to locate renegade Army Green Beret Colonel Walter E. Kurtz and "terinate his command with extreme prejudice." Apparently, Kurtz has taken matters into his own hands, concerning how the war should be fought. After ruthlessly killing three South Vietnamese Officers whom he believed were to be double agents, Kurtz and his army of native tribesmen have gone on to killing both North and South Vietnamese soldiers in the most brutal, violent, and unsound of all fashions. Beyond the pale of human conduct and acting without any decent restraint. Journeying up the Nung River into war-torn Cambodia in a U.S. Navy Patrol Boat, Willard begins to learn more about Kurtz and his life. Along the way, he and four Navy officers cross paths with a trigger happy Air Calvary Colonel and his troops, a group of touring Playboy Centerfolds, and (through an unfortunate discovery) a French Plantation left over from the French-Vietnam Conflict of the 1950's.

After a skirmish with native tribesmen and Viet Cong soldiers that result in the deaths of three of the Navy officers, Willard and the surviving Navy sailor arrive at the compund where Kurtz and his army are holed up. With the help of an eccentric photojournalist, Willard encounters Kurtz. Upon learning a few things from Kurtz and knowing that the Colonel has gone completely insane, Willard has to decide whether to follow his orders or join a madman who has started to play God. What follows is not only very atmospheric, but very thought-provoking and deeply unsettling.

Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Harrison Ford, Robert Duvall, and all of the other actors do a remarkable job in the roles they were given. Most of all, coppola really tackles the controversial subject of a useless war with gritty realism. The extra scenes that are placed back into the film, fit seamlessly and add an extra dimension to the plot. It also portrays the cynicism of the late 1960's, and how any person can lose his or her sanity, with violent results. One can also feel extreme sympathy for the character of Kurtz. As always, Brando does a remarkable performance. By making Kurtz a tragic figure, Brando is able to make a very good argument as to how the war should be fought and how to resolve the conflict. As his character states near the end of the film, "DROP THE BOMB! EXTERMINATE THEM ALL!!!" Many Vietnam veterans have been wishing that such a thing had happened. Sheen also gives an excellent performance as Willard, who is given the regretful task of killing such a brilliant, if not deranged man.

If you enjoy war movies, subjects about the turbulent '60's, and Vietnam, you will enjoy this remarkable, if not explosive masterpiece of violent art. It will also make you think and realize that if you don't make friends out of horror and mortal terror, you will be in a serious and uncompromising situation. One with two enemies that are not to be reckoned with.