Not quite... Still going backwards

Rating: 5/10 (3 August 2019)

Firstly: I did see "Apocalypse Now" in 1979, on one of the two biggest screens ever built in Australia. It was amazing, if flawed. It is also, I hate so say, the best version done of "Apocalypse".
"Redux" (circa 2001) had three versions. The first was seen in cinemas, and it was way too long, ignored the logic of the story, and simply reminded people that Coppola's was 5 1/2 hrs long and where some of the money had gone.
"Redux" 2 went to DVD only in 2003, and although it was shorter, it still was illogical. "Redux" 3 went to streaming services in 2005 and still wasn't logical.
Point to note: the story came from a book called "Hearts of Darkness", and "Apocalypse" was officially based on the book. No version of "Redux" follows the logic of the book or the 1979 original in which Willard kills Kurtz. If he doesn't, the whole thing becomes meaningless.
That problem - and others - are still in "Final Cut". It's shorter, and visually stunning, but it grates when compared to the original.
Back in 1979, I gave the original stars. You can see what I gave "Final Cut". The whole saga reminds me of Coppola's recurring of "The Godfather Part II", reducing a near-masterpiece into a hideous mess.
Final note: after the one day release of "Final Cut" cinemas here were offered a choice: the new version, or the 1979 "Apocalypse Now". Guess which one they all chose? The 1979 version is now doing great business here. "Final Cut" was only seen on July 25, and with any luck the original will remain with with us when "Final Cut" is reduced to a footnote in history. Hopefully "The Godfather Part II" can now likewise be restored to that film's 1974 original, and Coppola will leave his four classics from the 1970s alone.