Defending "Apocalypse Now"

Posted by mvwine (A) on December 31, 2002 at 09:53:04

In Reply to: Apocalypse Now! posted by Bruce from DC on December 30, 2002 at 17:04:42:

First, forgive me for any inaccuracies, it's been a few years since I saw the film.

I think there is a reason that Coppola didn't simply call this film "Heart of Darkness" (other than having to pay royalties) - It uses themes and devices closely related to the book, but it is a separate work. It deals with several issues that you have touched upon in your criticism, and tries to combine them as an overall portrait of civilized man in an uncivilized situation. Anti-war? Possibly. But more than anything, it is showing the barbarism necesary to those doing the fighting. EVERYONE featured in this film, with the possible exception of the crew of the boat (who all get killed - "innocence sacrificed"?) are barbarians. The officer eating his civilized lunch, while planning assasination, Willard, Kurtz, Killgore, etc. All barbarians of some stripe - in the situation they are in.

Willard and Kurtz are also linked in that they, at least, seem to be somewhat conflicted over their barbarism. Did Kurtz, by "defecting" from the "civilized" world actually become less of a barbarian? If war is necessary in some cases (and I believe it is) is barbaric behavior inevitable, and even desirable? All of the "non-barbarians" - including Kurtz, if you believe that he became less of a barbarian by going native - were killed.

So Coppola explored the idea of "Heart of Darkness" (the thin veneer of civilization being stripped away by venturing further into darkness) and also his own ponderings on the meanings of "war", "civilization" and "barbarism".

Only time will tell how well the movie stands up. But can we not watch "Bridge Over the River Kwai" or "The Sands of Iwo Jima" and still "get it"?

As for the "Killgore" part of that movie, I see Killgore as a man who, as long as he can hang on to his symbol of normalcy - surfing - doesn't have to face the fact that he is, indeed, in a nasty business. So it just portrays how some may cope in the situation.

As you can tell, I liked this movie. It's one of those whao have stayed with me, and affected me. That means Coppola communicated something to me through it. An acheivment I look for in a film. Of course, like any art, it's something personal. I understand if it didn't resonate with you in the same way, but I believe it deserves it's ranking as one of the best American flms in the last 30 years.

"Oh no, I can't do anything to the death. Doctor's orders. You see, I have this ulcer condition, and death is the worst thing for it."

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Apocalypse Now! - Bruce from DC 17:04:42 12/30/02 (39)

The film is a masterpiece... - danj 22:21:54 01/04/03 (0)

I want to buy this movie, should I buy the redux? - Ruben 16:45:22 12/31/02 (8)

Re: ...redux? No ! - AeWingnut 20:33:49 01/04/03 (0)

I read plenty about the 60's - Ruben 18:17:47 01/04/03 (0)

Re: I want to buy this movie, should I buy the redux? - TA 17:54:06 01/01/03 (0)

Definitely. - bubbahotep 11:02:13 01/01/03 (0)

buy the redux - Dmitry 00:27:56 01/01/03 (0)

Re: I want to buy this movie, should I buy the redux? - Bruce from DC 21:42:29 12/31/02 (0)

No . . the extra footage is unecessary random embellishment. nt - rufus 21:04:49 12/31/02 (0)

Re: I want to buy this movie, should I buy the redux? - Victor Khomenko 16:56:18 12/31/02 (0)

I think you're wrong about - sjb 10:32:18 12/31/02 (2)

Re: I think you're wrong about - Bruce from DC 21:38:20 12/31/02 (0)

I think you're wrong about... - Victor Khomenko 13:48:12 12/31/02 (0)

Defending "Apocalypse Now" - mvwine 09:53:04 12/31/02 (0)

Re: Apocalypse Now! (long) - TA 07:14:00 12/31/02 (1)

Re: Apocalypse Now! (long) - Bruce from DC 09:40:58 12/31/02 (0)

It has survived an army of critics, one more will come to naught... - late 18:45:47 12/30/02 (18)

been awhile since someone called me "bookish" - Bruce from DC 22:54:55 12/30/02 (4)

a year of transistion - late 07:16:46 12/31/02 (3)

Re: a year of transistion - Bruce from DC 09:26:23 12/31/02 (2)

"so laid back, mellow, and profitable" - late 09:37:53 12/31/02 (1)

Re: "so laid back, mellow, and profitable" - Bruce from DC 10:19:37 12/31/02 (0)

Just curious - what does "not surviving an army of critics" means? - Victor Khomenko 19:23:12 12/30/02 (12)

What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - rufs 22:30:34 12/30/02 (5)

Re: What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - Victor Khomenko 04:07:12 12/31/02 (4)

Re: What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - rufus 10:34:15 12/31/02 (3)

Re: What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - Victor Khomenko 13:44:41 12/31/02 (2)

Re: What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - rufus 19:01:34 12/31/02 (1)

Re: What about HBO's: "The Beast" . . . . - Victor Khomenko 07:16:47 01/01/03 (0)

thousands - late 21:28:11 12/30/02 (5)

One look... - Victor Khomenko 07:26:23 12/31/02 (4)

look again - late 07:54:32 12/31/02 (3)

Re: look again - Victor Khomenko 08:14:03 12/31/02 (2)

costs too much - late 08:22:45 12/31/02 (1)

Search again - Victor Khomenko 08:26:31 12/31/02 (0)

Re: Apocalypse Now! - rufus 17:31:21 12/30/02 (3)

Amen, brother! It was exactly like Vietnam! - EdM 05:52:02 12/31/02 (2)

My father, a vietnam vet, also expressed the same sentiment... - Mrs. Piggy 08:52:54 12/31/02 (1)

in the jungle one minute, watching Playboy bunnies the next, then - EdM 10:07:51 12/31/02 (0)

Follow Ups

Defending "Apocalypse Now" - mvwine 09:53:04 12/31/02 (0)

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