Apocalypse Now (1979)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film: 147 Minutes (Redux: 203 Minutes) (Final Cut: 175 Minutes)

Rated: R  Genre: Drama, Mystery, War

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Starring: Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Frederic Forest, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Scott Glenn

IMDB Rank: 8.4/10

Part 1 Time:  80 Minutes (Redux: 99 Minutes) (Final Cut: N/A)

Part 2 Time:  67 Minutes (Redux: 104 Minutes) (Final Cut: N/A)

Where does the first part end?  The crew inspect a civilian sampan. The inspection does not go as planned.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I told you not to stop, now lets go.”- Captain Benjamin L. Willard

First line of dialogue on the second part: “It was a way we had over here living with ourselves.” Captain Benjamin L. Willard Narrates as the boat cruses along the sunset.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, the journey through Vietnam and Cambodia is beginning to take its toll on the crew. Will the crew be able to reach Colonel Kurtz to complete the mission?

Which part is better? Both parts display the brutality and terror of the Vietnam war. The film explores many themes such as desperation, accountability, detachment, innocence, and insanity. Although part one is memorable for the performance of Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall) the explanation of Kurtz’s motives, and various encounters with the dangers of present in Vietnam. Part two is better since it brings the drama full circle with Captain Willard finally confronting Colonel Kurtz.

Academy Awards: 1980- Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall- Nominated), Best Director (Francis Ford Coppola-Nominated), Best Writing-Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated)

National Film Registry: 2000