Films/DVD Asylum

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."