“Apocalypse Now” is a 1979 war film directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The movie is a metaphor for the darkness and insanity of the Vietnam War. Captain Willard, played by Martin Sheen, is sent on a mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando, who has gone rogue in Cambodia. Along the way, he witnesses the horrors of war and descends into madness himself. The film’s intense imagery and haunting soundtrack leave a lasting impression on viewers.
↓↓↓
Review
Oh, ye goodly citizens of theater, lend me your ears and let me regale you with the tale of “Apocalypse Now”. A movie so grand in its reach that even William Shakespeare himself would have been in awe of its spectacle.
The story begins with a journey up the murky waters of the Mekong River during the Vietnam War. Our hero, Captain Benjamin Willard (played by Martin Sheen), is tasked with finding and assassinating a rogue Army Colonel named Walter E. Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando) who has gone mad in the jungles of Cambodia.
The mission is perilous and fraught with danger as Willard navigates his way through enemy territory. He encounters a cast of characters along the way, including surfer dude Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (played by Robert Duvall) who loves nothing more than napalm and Wagner, and a group of Playboy Bunnies who are stranded in the middle of a warzone.
As Willard gets closer to Kurtz, he finds himself slipping deeper into madness himself. He sees firsthand the horrors of war and wonders if there is any way to come out unscathed on the other side. It’s an epic journey that tests both his physical and emotional strength.
One cannot talk about “Apocalypse Now” without mentioning its troubled production history. Director Francis Ford Coppola famously spiraled into madness himself during filming, going over budget and over schedule while battling typhoons, heart attacks, and an uncooperative cast.
But despite all of these challenges, Coppola managed to create a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The dialogue crackles with wit and intensity, and each scene is infused with an almost otherworldly sense of dread.
The performances are brilliant as well. Sheen plays Willard as a man on the edge of sanity who is struggling to hold it together amidst chaotic circumstances. Meanwhile, Brando’s Kurtz is a towering figure who exudes a terrifying charisma.
The film’s score is also something to be praised. From the haunting opening sequence set to The Doors’ “The End” to the adrenaline-fueled helicopter attack that takes place later on, the music perfectly captures the mood of each moment.
Despite its initial divisive critical reception, “Apocalypse Now” has gone on to become a beloved classic. Its themes of madness, war, and redemption continue to resonate with audiences today.
And so, my fellow theater-goers, if you haven’t yet experienced the sheer power of “Apocalypse Now”, I implore you to do so. It is a work of art like no other and one that will leave an indelible mark on your soul.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 147
- Release : 1979-08-15
- Genre : Drama, War
- Cast : Marlon Brando as Colonel Walter Kurtz, Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, Martin Sheen as Captain Benjamin Willard, Frederic Forrest as Jay ‘Chef’ Hicks, Laurence Fishburne as Tyrone ‘Clean’ Miller
- Crew : Walter Murch as Editor, Walter Murch as Sound Designer, Francis Ford Coppola as Director, Francis Ford Coppola as Producer, Francis Ford Coppola as Original Music Composer
- Popularity 35.29
- Budget : $31,500,000
- Revenue : $150,000,000
- Company : United Artists, American Zoetrope
- Summary : At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, “does not exist, nor will it ever exist.” His goal is to locate – and eliminate – a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
- Tagline : This is the end…
