Apocalypse Now

Starring: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Lawrence Fishburne, Harrison Ford
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Rating: R
Genre: Action, War
Box Office: $78,784,010
1979

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Awards: 2 Academy Awards 1979- Cinematography (Vittorio Storaro), Sound (Walter Murch, Mark Berger, Richard Beggs and Nat Boxer), 6 Other Nominations: Best Picture, Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Duvall), Directing (Francis Ford Copolla), Screenplay Based on Material From Another Medium (John Milius and Francis Coppola), Art Direction (Dean Tavoularis and Angelo Graham, art direction; George R. Nelson, set decoration), Film Editing (Richard Marks, Walter Murch, Gerald B. Greenberg and Lisa Fruchtmlan)

Summary:Coppola said of this film, "This film is not about Vietnam... It IS Vietnam." Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is given a top secret mission to brave a river in Vietnam, to track down renegade Colonel Kurtz, a man who has gone insane. His mission is to exterminate him. However, along the way, Willard begins to understand Kurtz, and if he makes it to him alive, will have to face his own demons, to decide if he will complete the mission, or join the man he has been sent to kill.

Review:

Tim: This has been called one of the most realistic war movies ever made. I have to agree. I haven't seen the original version, but the Redux version truly makes you feel as if you are braving the forrests of Vietnam along with the characters. If you like war movies and have not seen this film, you are sadly missing out.

This film is quite long (3 hours and 40 minutes), and it is tough to make it through the whole thing in one sitting (I did!). By the end of the film, you almost cannot remember what happened at the beginning. At first, I disliked this, but the more I thought about it, the more that fact made this movie even more realistic, because I am willing to bet by the end of the war for many U.S. soldiers, they could not even begin to remember when they started it.

A film like this is hard to write a review for, because it is a part of American culture. Coppola did a tremendous job in all aspects of this film. It is exciting, lifelike, and in many ways, scary. The film took Joseph Conrad's famous story, "Heart of Darkness" and transported it to Vietnam. The film will transport you as well, and when you are finished with it, it will take you a moment to realize that you didn't actually fight in Vietnam (or if you did actually fight in the Vietnam War, it will give you some mad flashbacks).

Martin Sheen is superb in this film, as Captain Willard, his facial expressions make you feel as if this character has been through violence that normal human beings cannot comprehend. His far off stares makes him a very interesting character. Marlon Brando plays a smaller role in this film, but he does so finely. While I don't think he's incredible in this role, he does do a good job. Robert Duvall is great, although he doesn't appear very long. His performance was flawless, and one of the most refreshing in the film. It's also interesting to see Harrison Ford and Lawrence Fishburne in small roles, before they reached the success they currently enjoy.

If you're not a big fan of war movies, you might want to skip viewing this film, as it is the granddaddy of them all. For movie fans in general, this film is a must-see, as it truly does affect you. My advice is pay attention to how you're feeling at various parts throughout the film. Watching this movie is taxing on you, and you will leave it feeling exhausted. But it's worth it. This isn't the type of movie I'd want to watch five or six times, but definitely one everyone needs to see at least once.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Saving Private Ryan, Patton, Platoon, The Bridge on the River Kwai