Apocalypse Now (1979)
Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall
During the Vietnam War, the young American Captain Willard is given the assignment to hunt down and kill one of his own: Colonel Kurtz, who has apparently gone insane, murdered hundreds of innocent people and constructed a strange kingdom for himself deep in the jungle. Willard and his crew embark o... (read more) During the Vietnam War, the young American Captain Willard is given the assignment to hunt down and kill one of his own: Colonel Kurtz, who has apparently gone insane, murdered hundreds of innocent people and constructed a strange kingdom for himself deep in the jungle. Willard and his crew embark on a surreal river journey to find Kurtz, meeting along the way a Lieutenant-Colonel who surfs during live combat, Playboy bunnies dropped in by helicopter to entertain rowdy troops, and the inhabitants of a French plantation trapped in colonial times.
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R, 2 hrs. 33 min.
Directed by:
Francis Ford Coppola
Release Date: Jan 01, 1979
DVD Release Date: Nov 20, 2001
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Flixster User Reviews
Too arty for a lot of people you'd need to see it two or three times to appreciate how deadly it is.
This is without any doubt an iconic film; i've only watched once, maybe I need see it more times in order to notice the unique features of it.
Incredible and chaotic are, perhaps, the two most illustrative words for this Vietnam epic from Francis Ford Coppola. Martin Sheen is a captain assigned with assassinating the twisted renegade Commander, Kurtz, played by a large, darkly lit, and inco... (read more) Incredible and chaotic are, perhaps, the two most illustrative words for this Vietnam epic from Francis Ford Coppola. Martin Sheen is a captain assigned with assassinating the twisted renegade Commander, Kurtz, played by a large, darkly lit, and incomprehendable Marlon Brando, in this very lose adaptation of Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." Insanity reigns throughout the film, and the violence is always present, be it in Robert Duvall's surf crazed, Wagner blasting Colonel Kilgore, or Brando's philosophical psychopath, Colonel Kurtz, death, blood and the "Heart of Darkness" rule this film.
Roger Ebert wrote; "Longer or shorter, redux or not, Apocalypse Now is one of the central events of my life as a filmgoer." and after I saw this movie I can say that I totally agree...Even though at some parts the pace of the movie was too slow and ... (read more) Roger Ebert wrote; "Longer or shorter, redux or not, Apocalypse Now is one of the central events of my life as a filmgoer." and after I saw this movie I can say that I totally agree...Even though at some parts the pace of the movie was too slow and there were unnecessarily long scenes, the message of the movie and the way Coppola studied the impact of the war on soldiers were just groundbraking. But above all these things was the great master "Marlon Brando". He is my favourite actor, I watched almost all his movies and still every new performance is another opportunity for me to study his acting. After his each appearance on a scene, I was completely blown away.All the movie was like a preparation for his scenes anyway and he never dissapoints...I wish there were more Marlon Brando films to watch for me... :))
The ultimate war movie that displays "the horror" and madness of war in unforgettable pictures and magnificent lighting. The much longer Redux version (2001) is the second coming of this classic film. It goes even deeper under your skin and into your... (read more) The ultimate war movie that displays "the horror" and madness of war in unforgettable pictures and magnificent lighting. The much longer Redux version (2001) is the second coming of this classic film. It goes even deeper under your skin and into your brains.
The best war movie ever made simply because it is not just a war movie. Plays nicely to the book it originated from. Stick to the original version and forget about the Redux, which sucks.
Critic Reviews
...Coppola's sprawling, harrowing war story is not to be missed.full review
The opening, with the whirling sound of choppers intercut with Willard sweating angst in his Saigon hotel bed, a jungle burning with napalm...remains a visual and aural wonder.full review
The film has one of the most haunting endings in cinema, a poetic evocation of what Kurtz has discovered, and what we hope not to discover for ourselves.full review
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