Disturbing film

Rating: 9/10 (28 February 2015)

Apocalypse Now is probably the most disturbing film I've ever seen. During the Vietnam war, the main character Captain Willard is given a secret mission : to kill General Kurtz who is presented as a man who became insane and actually is settled in Cambodia. Unlike other war films where the main characters are lively and dynamic, Willard is expressionless. But still, we become attached to him as he seems to be the only one not to lose his mind in this war, may be except for the end when he brutally kills Kurtz. Throughout the film, Kurtz is seen asa goal and Willard learns progressively about him as he goes up the Nung River. Little by little he wonders about the meaning of this mission. It shows how soldiers go blindness to war due to order from superior. More than that, this film shows in a general way how Americans used heavy artillery in a war where they did not have their place. For example with the famous helicopter shooting scene quite shocking because accompanied by the lively music "Walkyries" by R.Wagner. The music plays an important role all along the film for example putting us in a agonizing atmosphere when soldiers go crazy. I liked it when at certain times there were Rock music (The Doors, The Rollings stones). This put us in the mood of the end of the sixties. To conclude, this film sure is a masterpiece, raising the question (just like other excellent movies such as Full metal Jacket) of the psychological effects that war has on soldiers.