One of the greatest of all time....
Added 8/22/2009
If you thought Apocalypse Now was good, wait 'til you see the Copolla's longer cut. Amazing.
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Classified Special Mission for Martin Sheen vs Marlon Brando
Added 1/12/2009
This movie is one of the best told stories of Vietnam and one man's
personal journey, as he signs on to take a special mission regarding
a rogue officer who has taken on godlike persona in a remote
compound in Cambodia. As Cpt Willard travels up river, he meets
various groups of soldiers - some who've reached their breaking point.
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Makes the original version look like a condensed book
Added 6/21/2008
The basic story is that Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who was sent to Vietnam (60's era) to correct a problem, now sees the problem differently and has exceeded his authority in the correction. Therefore Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) is dispatched to dispatch the colonel. In this Joseph Campbell ("The Hero with a Thousand Faces") type adventure, he meets with many situations that help him grow and understand the problem that Colonel Kurtz faced. Will he complete his mission or succumb to the came forces as the colonel in the heart of darkness?
The Redux version should have been the version to begin with as it explains why certain things appear out of nowhere and why the people have such attitudes towards each other. There was no fluff to cut out as it is the crucial ideas behind the whole story that was cut out. The Redux version replaces much of the mystery with purpose and is intriguing itself as the story or mission progresses.
I purchased both versions and must say it is worth the price. I only hope I do not find a third version with a missing hour.
This is basically an updated version of Joseph Conrad's book "Heart of Darkness" with a lot Francis Ford Coppola thrown in. The location is Viet Nam, instead of Africa, and as with any update; they thought it would be more relevant than trying to explain the Congo. Toss in some songs from the 60's era ("The Best of the Doors"- `The End'), and some classics (Wagner - "Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries"), and you have a movie. Too bad it is not that easy.
I would not worry too much whether this looks like Vietnam or if certain events really take place, as that is not the point of the picture or the intent of the story telling. The feel of the book was conveyed. And I would not worry if it does not match the book story word for word as this is a different media. If you come away with the question "what would I do if it were me?" it worked.
Not to distract from the movie review, however I was in Viet Nam (1967-1968) in an armed reconnaissance organization. And the Vietnam I was in did not have the surrealistic scenes. We did get to see Bob Hope and Martha Ray "The Big Broadcast of 1938" (1938). Before that I always thought it was a bunch of hype. However it did make a difference having them take the time to go there. So I could see something as weird as the bunny scene happening.
Besides the movie there are the Scenes of the destruction of the Kurtz compound set. They were required to clean up after the movie was made. Coppola says that these scenes were removed from the end of the movie so people did not think that it was part of the story. However I saw this on TV and they left the scenes in and I did think it was part of the story.
Another movie interpretation of, "Heart of Darkness" was made later. Not quite as moving as Apocalypse Now, but you should see it to compare to the original, "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death "(1988). Adrienne Barbeau is Dr. Kurtz.
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