#647. Apocalypse Now (1979, Francis Ford Coppola)

Have I Seen It Before?: Yes


Thoughts Before Viewing:  What can I say?  This is a goliath of a film.  Only one of the ultimate cinematic masterpieces.  Can't resist the greatest director of the 70s at his most artistically ambitious.

Running Time: 147 minutes
Directed By: Francis Ford Coppola
Written By: Francis Ford Coppola, John Millus
Primary Cast: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall



Summary: During the Vietnam War, Captain Willard is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade colonel who has set himself up as a god amongst a local tribe.



My Thoughts:  This never fails to be a mesmerizing experience.  It's pure chaos unfolding on the screen.  One of the most powerful, raw and epic cinematic experiences imaginable.  This features Coppola at his most ambitious and egotistic (which makes sense considering he was fresh off The Godfather I & II).  Watching it, you feel like you're descending into a surreal nightmare along with the characters.


It seems that Coppola was particularly fascinated by what corrupts the soul and the nature of evil throughout his 70s epics.  In the first two Godfather films, we witness Michael Corleone descend into a cold monster.  Apocalypse Now dives straight into what drives mankind into chaos.  The war setting couldn't be more perfect, considering it's the environment that spawns the madness.  It's a powerful exploration on what war does to a man's heart and soul.  While most war films portray dehumanization, just about everyone is beyond that point amidst the violence and chaos in this. 


Every time I revisit this, I manage to find new ways to appreciate it.  When I re-watched it last year, I was just overwhelmed by the colors, soundtrack and overall horror atmosphere.  This time, I found myself compelled by how the characters are established.  There is a sense of humanity found within these characters (specifically the ones on the boat) as they are descending down a path of nihilistic hell.  I think that touch in particular is what really makes Coppola epics so special.  You are repulsed by the evil of his characters but you understand where they are coming from.


Apocalypse Now is a special masterpiece.  One of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time.



Does It Belong In The Book?:  Oh absolutely.  Features the hottest director of the 1970s at his most ambitious.  This film is groundbreaking in how passionate and raw it is.  It's notoriously known for being one of the most difficult shoots in filmmaking history.  There's even another film on the list dedicated to how insane the process was (Heart Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)).  A true landmark in filmmaking history.



Rating: 10/10