Apocalypse Now - Review

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning” – A review of Apocalypse Now. 

Apocalypse Now is one of the most ambitious and haunting war films ever made. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 masterpiece of a film is based loosely on Joseph Conrad’s novella, Heart of Darkness, and it takes place in colonial Africa and, of course, the sheer chaos and devastation of the Vietnam War. I enjoy war films, and this one is up there as one of – if not the – best one ever made.

The plot follows intelligence officer Captain Benjamin Willard, played by Martin Sheen, who comes across as battle scarred and weary, as he sets off on a secret mission in Cambodia. His mission is to find and assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando, a rogue officer who has established himself as a demigod in a local tribe. This is a journey directly into the horrors of war.

The performances in this film are truly remarkable. Martin Sheen’s portrayal of Willard is haunted and introspective, whist Marlon Brando, who does receive limited screentime, embodies the very concept of terror as Kurtz. I also cannot ignore Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore, who is very eccentric, and delivers the iconic line “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”.

Apocalypse Now also has some amazing cinematography as it captures the horror and terror of war. It’s visually both beautiful and completely harrowing, as we see smoky, dusty horizons and jungles teeming with life. The helicopter assault set to Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” is a particular stand out moment, as it truly highlights the spectacle of battle.

The film doesn’t hold back when it comes to dealing with difficult themes. The psychological impact of war is examined at length, and it challenges the viewer with scenes that are to say the least morally complex. The narrative invites the viewer to think about the purpose of the Vietnam War, as well as the nature of humanity as a whole.

You can’t deny the impact Apocalypse Now had. It blended surrealism with incredibly brutal realism, and its added philosophical points sets it apart from other war films. This is a film which explores both the darkness of war and the darkness of humanity as a whole, exploring the absolute worst parts of humanities psyche.

This isn’t an easy film to watch by any means. It’s haunting, harrowing and devastating. It challenges and unsettles its viewers, forcing them into a reflective state. This is the type of film that stays with you long after you’ve finished it and is my favourite war film of all time. If you haven’t seen it, be prepared for a difficult watch, but I can guarantee that what you’ll experience is nothing short of a masterpiece.

Written by Tam Page

Posted by Mr. Tomney

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