Apocalypse Now

The basic story flows vividly yet mysteriously up the river into the dark jungle. Coppolla, as you may have heard, adapted the story from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" with the exception that H.O.D. is set in the African jungle based on a journey that Conrad took into the Upper Congo, then controlled by Belgium as a colony, whereas A.N. is set in the jungles of southeast Asia during the height of the Vietnam war.

For Redux, Coppolla went back to the raw footage, or dailies, and re-edited the entire film from scratch. The added scenes enhance rather than detract from the film, I felt. The film is set during the Vietnam War, but it is more about the dark side of human nature, and also how those in power often try to twist and distort the truth to fit meet their own ends. Is there a "method" to Col. Kurtz's madness? See the film and decide for yourself. It is interesting to watch the profound transformation that Capt. Willard (Sheen's character) undergoes.

The big questions on your mind may be:

1. Did Coppolla considerably improve the film?
2. Did the 45+ extra minutes of film enhance the flow and thematic development of the film?
3. Are the special effects and battle scenes spectacular?

The answer to all three of these questions is a resounding YES!
(except perhaps for those closed-minded "purists" out there who vehemently object to ANY change from the original release. To those of you whom fit this description, I remind you- Coppolla himself adapted the movie more closely to what HE originally envisioned, with FULL creative license- not with some big brother film exec looking over his shoulder and pressuring him to edit it in a certain way).

Overall improvements:

-the panoramic shots are more spectacular (of course this was my first time seeing it on the big screen so I'm sure that makes a difference)...

-some of the battle scenes are more realistic, allowing us to see the face of human suffering, not just the awe of exploding napalm bombs.

-the scenes at Kurtz's compound are more visually dazzling, and also a bit more shocking and graphic (some may feel this is gratuitous; but I believe Coppolla did that intentionally to communicate the devastation of man's violent nature, and the vicious cycle that we find ourselves in as a race).

Moral of the story:

Evil is rooted in lies; we all have a dark side to our human nature that we try hard to deny and keep in the shadows.
For more on this theme read Conrad's novella "Heart of Darkness" (a concise 130 some pgs) or delve into some of Carl Jung's writings about the shadow side of human nature.

Interesting tidbits:

-Mr. Clean, the teenage soldier on the gunboat was played by a 14 yr old Laurence "Larry" Fishburne.

-Much of the film was shot in the Philippines on location

-Coppolla had to personally mortgage virutally everything he owned to secure financing to complete the film which ran well over the studio budget.

-Coppolla makes a cameo appearance as a wartime journalist in the film

Apocalypse Now Redux is a cinematic masterpiece- well worth the journey upriver.


More Mesmerizing Than Ever...   February 24, 2003
L. Shirley (fountain valley, ca United States)
37 out of 41 found this review helpful

This review refers to the Widescreen Collection(Paramount)DVD edition of "Apocalypse Now - Redux"......

In 1979's "Apocalypse Now", Francis Ford Coppola presented us with a mesmerizing, stunning look at the horrors of Viet Nam. It was a film that looked at the hearts and minds of the soldiers and the effects the brutualities had on them. A magnificent work at the time, you wouldn't believe it could be any better. But now, more than 20 years later(and well worth the wait), Coppola has seen his vision completed, with the reediting of the film and the addition of previously deleted scenes, to bring us this gift of the even more mesmerizing "Apocalypse Now Redux".

There is an additional 49 minutes now, and although I don't feel that every minute of it was essential to making this classic film an even better one, there is a new story here that helps us relate to the frame of mind of the soldiers. A scene where the boat crew takes time out for a rendevous with the playboy bunnies is one example of that.And although this scene may be a bit of a shocker at first, as it introduces a sexual situtaion where it was previously non exsistent, it gives us a greater understanding of what's going on in their heads. The added scene of the time spent on the French Plantation was again an eye-opener, and the funeral for "Mr. Clean" also was a welcome addition as it gives us a closure to the closeness we felt to this character. And of course, a little more time with the insane Colonel Kurtz was enlightning as well (who wouldn't want to spend a little more time with any character of Brando's?).

The original film from 1979 received 8 nominations by Oscar, including Best Picture, Director, and a supporting actor nod for Robert("I love the smell of Napalm in the morning")Duvall. It took home well deserved Oscars for Cinematography(Vittorio Storaro) and Sound.
It stars Martin Sheen as Lt. Willard, who beset with his own emotional problems is sent on a dangerous mission to "terminate" the esteemed Col. Kurtz, played brillantly by Brando, who has now been driven insane by "The Horror" of it all. Willard is escorted into the wilds of Cambodia by a boat crew including a young Laurence Fishburne and Frederick Forrest. You will also find Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Sam Bottoms,Albert Hall, and Christan Marquand in this incredible cast.

The DVD is beautifully remastered. You won't miss a thing with the widescreen presentation and the incredible Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. The colors and sounds of the jungles are captured wonderfully.There are no Special features, but may be viewed with English subtitles is needed. The scene selection does indicate which are the new scenes which is quite helpful if it's been a while since you've seen it.

Still can't decide between the original and the Redux. This film is a treasure in any form. It's a piece of cinematic history that's probably worth getting both editions if you can. If not, give this one a try. It's a must for fans of classic cinema.

"Never Get Out of The Boat"....Lt. Willard....thanks and enjoy..Laurie


Crawling Across That Razored Edge   February 7, 2003
TastyBabySyndrome ("Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Little Tendril Baseball Team, USA)
34 out of 39 found this review helpful

"I watched a snail crawl across the edge of a straightrazor. Its my dream, its my nightmare. Crawling, slithering across the edge of straightrazor and surviving." That's the voice of a man called Kurtz, an enigmatic officer that's gone "native" in the depths of Combodia. Your mission objective is simple enough, go up the river, locate Kurtz, and terminate with extreme prejudice. Unfortunately, many things are remiss in the oversimplified statement, "Go up the river and kill Kurtz." Just ask Captain Willard, who's been wanting to submerge himself within the depths of warfare once more and has now been given this onset of a message, intercepted from the prize, Wiliam Kurtz. His mission is simple enough, going up the river and finding his prey of a man, or at least that's how it seems. In the beating heart of the firestorm called Vietnam, nothing is easy, though, and Willard, submerged beneath the veins of madness and brutality as he seeks that elusive objective, begins to understand that more and more in the process.

The strange thing about Apocalypse Now, set in the tinderbox of Vietnam, is that it isn't focused upon the sole event of the man forging through the jungle to go and capture the renegade named Kurtz. Instead, borrowing from its predecessor "The Heart of Darkness" - to which the film makes it clear that it pays a great deal of homage, it is about the madness of the events set into motion engulfing this one small figure and the futility of many of the actions/interactions located along the way. As Willard tells you in the beginning of the film, this is his confession on the matter, letting you know that he, too, is a guilty party in the chaotic affair that gnaws hungrily at the souls of all involved. Therefore, in a sense, he is also a party to the insanity taking root all over the feature. I found this to be an interesting affair, not only in the conceptual depiction of the insanity feeding upon the soldiers that we find ourselves focused upon, but in the questions the movie poses as it presses onward, showcasing more and more of the perversities by the same forces that label a man like Kurtz mad and yet birth asylums in their own ranks. The stellar casting accents this further, letting forces like a young Larry Fishburne and an equally young Harrison Ford play side by side with the Sheens and Brandos as they showcase a diversity of talents. All to destroy an enigmatically tormented soul.

Even if you've seen the movie before, the DVD is a pristine example of restorative technology can do for movies that deserve preferential treatment. This example is one of the best I've seen, showing its viewers the wonders involved in the art of making a very dramatic example of what warring encompasses. It also has some interesting extras, including the comparisons to Conrad's "Heart of Darkness," letting someone that hasn't been inducted into the work taste some of the symbology buried within those pages. For these reasons and because of other, more addictive loves that encompass the "smells of napalm in the morning," the abnormality of the color spectrum when one chemically bends it in the middle of a battle, and because of the sheer scope of the cinematic equation, I'd have to issue directives for everyone to buy.


Not complete, but still worth it. 4 1/2 stars   August 17, 2006
Matthew K. Putnam (Brooklyn Park, Minnesota United States)
34 out of 37 found this review helpful

The Film 5/5

There have been countless books, websites, and even a documentary (Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmakers Apocalypse) about this film that it seems almost pointless to write about it. One of the most troubled productions in film history, the film went on to recieve universal acclaim and is now a cinema classic.

For those of you getting into this film for the first time, do not expect your typical vietnam war film. In fact you could argue that the film is not really about the Vietnam War, but is instead about man's descent into "the heart of darkness" if you will. The film follows Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen)who is given a mission to proceed up river into Cambodia to assassinate a Green Beret Colonel (Marlon Brando) who has gone insane.

That is the basic story of the film. But, it is much more than that. The movie is essential one sureal moment after another. From a helicopter attack done to the tune of Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries", to surfing calvary men, to the much debated ending.

If there ever was a film that must be experienced just once in your life this is it.

The Video 5/5

The film was shot in the scope widesceen format of 2:35:1, but is present here (as with other DVD versions) at a slightly cropped 2:00:1 format. This decision (made by Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro) has caused much controversy over the years, and while I would love to see it in it's original format this version doesn't bother me.

That being said this is the best I've ever seen Apocalypse Now look. The colors are much more vivid and flesh tones are more realistic. For a film that was released in 1979 it stands right up there with any modern blockbuster. Each film is spread across two discs for higher picture quality. The result is stunning.

Sound 5/5

Speaking of standing up there with any modern blockbuster. Apocalypse Now is the Grandfather of all home theater show off films and this new DVD set is no exception. The original discs for their time offered impressive 5.1 mixes, this one however takes it to the next level. Bass response is more dynamic and there were even obscure background sounds and dialogue that I never noticed before on the old versions. It fully uses the 5.1 system. Again for a film released in 1979 it stands toe to toe with any modern movie.

The Extras 4/5

Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier is a two disc set that feature both the classic 1979 version and the extended 2001 version known as Apocalypse Now Redux. Each film is divided into two parts. While my preference is for the 1979 version. I recommend watch both versions and decide for yourself which one you prefer.

Extras on disc one include several deleted scenes, Marlon Brando's reading of T.S. Eliot's Poem "The Hollow Men" as well as a few short featurettes on 5.1 sound.

Disc two includes several featurettes on the editing, music and sound of Apocalypse Now. These featurettes are very informative and really give you an insight into the process of assembly a film from what is essentially nothing into a cohesive whole.

Above all else though is the absolutly engaging commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola. Following the same standard of excellence that was on The Godather dvds. This commentary track is extremely informative and provided insights that I've never known before.

Now, what is missing however is the classic making-of documentary Hearts of Darkness. In fact there are no featurettes on this set about the making of the film. One of the reasons Apocalypse Now is so famous is that its production was arguably the most troubled in cinema history. Everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong.

In spite of the lack of Hearts of Darkness, and the slightly cropped aspect ratio. This DVD version of Apocalypse Now is head and shoulders above the previous versions.

This DVD gets my highest recommendation.


Into the heart of darkness   June 21, 2000
Dennis J. Buckley (Harrisburg, PA USA)
31 out of 40 found this review helpful

This is an excellent and darkly beautiful film. The sheer hopelessness and apparent endlessness of the war is achingly conveyed in almost every scene-- even those such as the spectacular Air Cavalry assault on a Vietnamese village (look for Coppola in an earlier scene with the Cav as the TV reporter urging Willard to "Just go by like you're fighting!"). Robert Duvall comes close to stealing the show with his blood-and-guts character, Colonel Bill Kilgore, the Cavalry commander. Superb performances by Marlon Brando as Kurtz and Martin Sheen as Willard rescue this flawed interpretation of Conrad. Sheen's internal narration, set against a haunting musical score, holds the film together and is beautifully delivered.

One rumored "alternative ending" of the film is Willard's meeting with the widow of Kurtz, and it is a very great pity that Coppola either did not film it, or cut it. It is the definitive scene of the Conrad work, and might have been of this movie. By depriving the film of the confrontation between Willard and Kurtz's widow, Coppola threw away Conrad's central vision of the conflict between savagery and civilization, truth and lies, moral courage and hypocrisy. This error is inexplicable, and leaves us not disturbed and thoughtful, as the novella does, but depressed and dissatisfied, hence, the four star rating.