Truly unforgettable

Rating: 10/10 (6 April 2000)

Francis Ford Coppola has made "Apocalypse Now" a truly unforgettable film about the war in Vietnam. The cinematography is sensational and so is the acting. Martin Sheen is terrific as Willard, the agent who is sent by the Army to take out an out of control Colonel Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando who gives one of the memorable performances in his career. Robert Duvall is superb as the wild surfing fanatic/Air Calvary leader Kilgore who says a few famous quotes after a helicopter attack on a small village that's held by the Viet Cong. Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, and Larry Fishburne have some solid moments as the members of PT crew that take Willard in Cambodia. It takes a while before the boat meets its destination where we find Kurtz's camp and surprise, an American pot smoking photojournalist is there to greet the surviving members of the PT crew and Willard. The photojournalist is wonderfully played by Dennis Hopper who is also there like Willard to find out more about Kurtz. Then Kurtz (Brando) himself enters the picture in a way that no one could have ever thought of at the time. It does get bogged before I see what happens to Kurtz and it doesn't look pretty. Overall, "Apocalyspe Now" is a masterpiece that should be treasured by anyone who sees the movie.