This film is not simply a war movie, it takes the audience on a psychological journey.

Rating: 10/10 (18 October 2008)

Apocalypse Now" was originally 200 hours of footage shot in the Philippines over the course of 16 months. Director Francis Ford Coppola was responsible for funding several million dollars for the film during financially difficult times. On the set, the cast faced many set backs, including the destruction of sets during the monsoon season and the fact that helicopters that they were using to film with were called back by the government to be used in actual combat. Marlon Brando appeared on the set overweight to play a character written as noticeably underweight. Brando also had not read the script or the novella that it was based on and after receiving a million dollar advance, he at first refused to film. Martin Sheen was an alcoholic during shooting and during an opening scene of intoxication he is actually inebriated and his actions were improvised. He also suffered a life-threatening heart attack on set. During the filming of the movie, Coppola faced financial difficulty, marital strain and mental deterioration. Throughout filming, he threatened to commit suicide on three occasions and lost 100 pounds. Following the completion of shooting the movie took an additional year to edit. However, despite setbacks upon release the film grossed over 100 million dollars at the box office and earned two academy awards for best cinematography and score along with six other Oscar nominations.
The dictionary gives two definitions of apocalypse "a prophetic revelation, especially concerning a cataclysm in which the forces of good permanently triumph over the forces of evil" and "any universal or widespread destruction or disaster: the apocalypse of nuclear war". "Apocalypse Now" shows the viewer not only the ugliness and chaos of war but also the darkness of the human heart. It leaves the viewer to question did good truly triumph over evil? Captain Willard is a special agent ordered to "exterminate with extreme prejudice". He is told to assassinate Colonel Kurtz who has countered the American army and is a murderer. The movie follows Willard's character further and further down the river with four others on the boat each trying to deal with the horrors of a questionable war. As the film progresses you see senseless killing and the deterioration of the mental health of soldiers in an unimaginable situation. The characters travel further and further from regular civilization and deeper into the heart of darkness.
"Apocalypse Now" begins with the haunting voice of Jim Morrison "All the children are insane, waiting for the summer rain" while featuring images of senseless destruction the Vietnam War. This film is an artistic triumph, featuring gripping, unforgettable sequences and incredible cinematography. The film has hallucinatory images of a wasteland created by violence coupled with a lack of light, which truly takes you into the heart of darkness. It not only shows the violence and absurdity of war but also is a study of man. The film is intended for interpretation with subtext and metaphors, which leave the audience thinking when the credits roll.
I would recommend this movie, and consider it well worth the time. "Apocalypse Now" is of historical importance and features great characters. This movie greatly captured the descent of man into madness, and the horrors of war. This film was hard hitting, with scenes that were not easy to watch, in fact, at times, the viewer may wish to look away, but it is this that adds to the film and makes it more of a cinematic accomplishment. As Francis Ford Coppola said "this film isn't about Vietnam, this film is Vietnam."