Apocalypse Now [1979]

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Starring: ~ Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall Martin Sheen Dennis Hopper
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Product Details:

Studio: Pathe Distribution

Region: 2

Number of Discs: 1

Format: PAL, Widescreen

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Sales Rank: 1327

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Customer Reviews:

Buy the original (27 December 2008)
There is a very good reason why many of the scenes in the redux did not make it into the original film. That is because all of the additional material in this version is irrelevant and simply draws out the story unnecessarily. The original is definitely a five star movie so buy that version not this.

Artistic, well acted, nuts and should be avoided by anyone who hates animal cruelty (22 November 2008)
Beautifully filmed, excellent casting and good acting in a thoroughly disturbing film about the insanity of war. Up until that point, I would say, if you like films about the insanity that goes with most conflicts then this is your sort of film.

However, I cannot tolerate animal cruelty for the purposes of entertainment. Regardless of how drugged it may have been, the hacking to death of a water buffalo at the end of this film for the sake of entertainment is unacceptable. Apparently the American Humane Association gave this film an "unacceptable" rating and I have to say, I agree with them. For anyone that says that this is part of the lunacy of war, I would remind them that blowing people to bits is as well, but no actors were on the receiving end of grenades etc during the filming.

So for anyone who is disgusted by senseless cruelty to animals, avoid this film. For anyone with a humane bone in their body, avoid this film. But for anyone else, enjoy the art. Having seen it, I won't be watching this film again. So, if you're considering buying it but think you might not like the last scene, figure that you might only watch it once ever and wonder if it is worth spending the money if you do only watch it once.

The insanity of war (27 May 2008)
Much has been documented about the mental breakdown of Coppola when directing modern war epic Apocalypse now. The amount of material shot (pardon the pun) was enough to make a film running at over at week - but several edits later we are left with a masterpiece of around two and a half hours in length.

Logistically speaking the film was a nightmare to get finished, after late minute recasts, Martin Sheen played the lead role whilst suffering from alcoholism and nearly died of a heart attack. His poor health lead to his own brother stepping in to double for him in many scenes. The script was constantly re-written and the ending was changed several times over in subsequent edits. The film went massively over budget, the sets were wrecked during monsoon season, the helicopters used were actual military ones and had to fly away to do their `day job'. The catalogue of issues dogging this film is too long to list - but the frustration and the pure neuralgia surrounding the film comes through strong, and that cements the film as one of the most realistic films of the Vietnam war, and one of the most haunting war films ever.

Sent on a mission to kill the wonder-kid turned pseudo Jungle-king Kurtz, Willard starts to slowly lose any mental stability he had left - so much so that he can relate to Kurtz's insane philosophy. The journey to find Kurtz is a long one, and one which allows us more than just a glimpse into the human side of war. From pointless deaths, man-made horrors, and manic military leaders (resulting in one of the most famous quotes in film history "I love the smell of Napalm in the morning..."). The imagery is over-the-top, but given the setting it seems natural - almost blasé, that's what this film does so well - it puts you in the war.

Coppola famously said that "my film is not about Vietnam, it is Vietnam" - and to a large extent it is. There are no heroes here, no glamour, just futility. This is more than just a film, it's an experience - sometimes abstract, and often difficult to watch, but it stays with you. You watch this and whether you love it or are indifferent to it, you can accept that we're lucky that this film was finally made.

A good film yes, but is it really a war film? (14 May 2008)
A watched this film for only the second time yesterday, the first viewing I remember very little about, the second viewing will certainly be more memorable for me, this film is very much a Martin Sheen film, Marlon Brando is hardly even in it so why he "stars" in it is beyond me, at best he's a supporting actor and not much more than an extra.

The one thing that struck me though was that this film is listed as one of the greatest war films ever, this film is nothing more than an assassination film, with a small amount of war thrown in, yes it's set during a war, but if it's action, guns, planes, ships, explosions that you're looking for then you'll find very little of it here.

Martin Sheen and the ever impressive Robert Duvall are on fine firm, but half an hour of this film could have been cut and you'd probably not notice it, for me it's a film to catch every now and then, but as for purchasing, no way, it's good, but not that good.

REDUX: EVERY MINUTE OF ADDED MATERIAL IS THERE FOR A REASON (18 March 2008)
A lot has been written about this extended version, particularly by comparing it with the original theatrical release, with some scenes - especially the meeting with French settlers - described as "out of step with the story". I believe that this criticism is completely missing the point. The inclusion of the "French" scene is one of the key elements of the film's philosophy, which is otherwise not easily perceived beyond the somewhat flatter original. Apocalypse Now Redux is also more than just a "story" - twenty years after its creation, this film has become an institution and a reference point, and can by no means be viewed any more as a mere movie.

The aforementioned is the only scene that explicitly voices the pointlessness of the American invasion, and war as a concept, which was to be one of the major ideological forces behind the film's ethos - this is Coppola's statement and the scene is just an instrument that perfectly transmits the idea. Also my impression - with regards to the other added scenes - is that Redux not only expands the philosophical and spiritual aspect of this epic but brings this Mother of all war films to the more mature, contemporary viewing. This, in relation to the present occupation of Iraq, makes it also a sinister prediction of things to come.

A pure film; relentless, unflinching and time approved masterpiece that hits hard but ultimately rewards any viewer prepared to accept its timeless message. Needless to say that, for a typical cinemagoer that in this day and age "enjoys" a contemporary diet of the Hollywood war, horror and gangstahh flicks, which often treat a viewer as an idiot, Apocalypse Now will be an incredible challenge, particularly given its surreal overtones. However given one large and VERY comfortable chair, a locked-up girlfriend/boyfriend, more than three continuous hours to spare, a minimum of diagonal 32" of flat plasma, powerful Surround and wide open eyes and mind, I guarantee that same viewer an unforgettable and illuminating experience!