This film stands
out as one of the best Vietnam war movies. Its explicit portrayal of war and
its profound effect on the minds of those involved is powerfully depicted. The
movie perfectly captures the meaning of Neville Chamberlain's quote: "In
war, whichever side may call itself the victor, there are no winners, but all
are losers."
I'm not a huge
fan of war movies, but some really stand out. Saving Private Ryan (1998) is
one, and Apocalypse Now is another. The details in the movie, the progression
from the moment of killing to the execution, and the chilling "The
Horror... the horror" — the horror of war, mass killing, and genocide —
are all brilliantly depicted. Kudos to Francis Ford Coppola for producing and
directing this masterpiece.
With excellent
cinematography, the movie does a fantastic job of immersing you in the jungle
environment. The camera work is impressive, and the lighting effects help you
feel like you're really there.
Apocalypse Now
(1979) is an epic war film set during the Vietnam War. The story revolves
around two main characters: U.S. Army special operations officer Captain
Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) and U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel Walter
E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando).
Willard is sent
on a special mission to kill Kurtz, who is believed to have gone insane. The
movie explores Willard’s journey, from his experiences with the psychological
effects of war to the mission he's assigned. Along the way, he meets various
soldiers, each with their own way of coping with the trauma of war.
Willard’s
journey ultimately leads him to Kurtz, who is revered by the locals and has
risen to a god-like status among them.
The production
of the movie took over three years, with Coppola often thinking he would never
finish it. There were numerous setbacks: Typhoon Olga destroyed the set at one
point, the entire payroll was stolen, and Marlon Brando showed up overweight.
Despite all the challenges, Coppola managed to create a masterpiece that
continues to be discussed and admired.
If you're not a
fan of animal cruelty, the movie's ending may not be for you. Even someone like
me, who isn’t particularly sensitive to animal cruelty, was moved by the ritual
performed by the local Ifugao tribe. The ritual involves the brutal butchering
of a water buffalo in a cruel manner.
The last words
of Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), "The Horror... the
horror," have become iconic in cinematic history. Apocalypse Now stands
head and shoulders above any other Vietnam War movie. It is truly a classic
among classics. It won Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture – Drama and
Best Director for Coppola. It also took home Academy Awards for Best
Cinematography and Sound.
In the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition), it is ranked #30. There's no reason not to see this movie.
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