
I recently watched this movie again, for the first time in, I'd say, 11-12 years. And my feelings about the film have greatly changed. I always really liked it, in fact, I even loved it. I quoted it, often, and always told people that they really, really should check it out. Since that time though, and after my recent viewing, I have learned to respect it for what it truly is. Plainly and simply, it is one of the greatest pieces of work, in the history of cinema! The storied history of Apocalypse Now! is well documented. Producer and director, Francis Ford Coppola, gave his friend, screenwriter, John Milius $15,000 to write a screenplay about the Vietnam War. Originally, Coppola was just going to produce and have his friend George Lucas direct. But Lucas was just getting started on his own little movie called Star Wars, so Coppola decided upon directing the film himself. Toward the end of 1975 he started to revise Milius' script and the next year, he and the cast and crew went to the Philippines to start filming. Released in August 1979, more than three years after the start of production, Apocalypse Now! earned more than 78 million dollars in its initial run. Martin Sheen stars as Capt. Benjamin Willard, an alcoholic, troubled, seasoned, Special Operations veteran, currently on leave, not enjoying himself. Soon, government officials contact Willard, and order him to track down and find Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando). According to radio transmissions, the US Military now believes that Kurtz has gone insane and is commanding a legion of his own troops deep within the jungles of Cambodia. Kurtz was on his way to becoming a model General, but the wet jungles where he was stationed drove him to the point of insanity. He stopped communicating with the US Military and his family back home. Capt. Willard wouldn't be the first person they've sent to find Kurtz either. Capt. Richard M. Colby (Scott Glenn) was sent a year prior, but he hasn't been heard from since. Willard sees it as an opportunity to get back to what he likes best, so he accepts. The rest of the 2 hours and 23 minutes of glorious celluloid are filled with battles, boat rides, helicopters, Playboy playmates, dismembered bodies, sweaty jungle outposts and Marlon Brando at his unapologetic best! Martin Sheen literally went through hell to get this picture made. In early 1977, he suffered a heart attack while alone, having to hike a quarter-mile to get some help. Besides that, Sheen provided his best performance to date, and since, for that matter. Out of all the roles I've seen Brando in, especially since I've realized how amazing, commanding and talented he is, his portrayal of Colonel Kurtz is one of the most haunting and disturbing images I have ever seen. And trust me, that is a compliment. Besides those two incredibly talented individuals, Robert Duvall turns in an Academy Award Nominated Best Supporting role as Lt. Col. Kilgore. The American Film Institute also named Kilgore's speech about loving "the smell of napalm in the morning," #12 on its 100 Years ... 100 Quotes special. Dennis Hopper also stars as the nameless photo journalist who seems to enjoy the ruling of Kurtz half of the time, while spending the other half fearing for his life. Laurence Fishburne and Harrison Ford, both early in their careers, appear in small but memorable roles. As a whole, Apocalypse Now! was nominated for Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards, but ultimately lost to Kramer vs. Kramer and its director Robert Benton. It did pick up wins for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Mixing and also won the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It wasn't long before it was spoken in the same vain as Citizen Kane, The Maltese Falcon, The Bridge On The River Kwai, Lawrence Of Arabia and In The Heat Of The Night. It took me until 2011 to realize the same thing. But, you know that they say, its better late, than never. So check it out, and if you have to, reintroduce yourself to this legendary classic!
The latter half is done and things are starting to heat up! Check back for #5, coming soon!
Shawn M
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