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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes the original version look like a condensed book,
By
This review is from: Apocalypse Now Redux (DVD)
The basic story is that Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who was sent to Vietnam (60's era) to correct a problem, now sees the problem differently and has exceeded his authority in the correction. Therefore Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) is dispatched to dispatch the colonel. In this Joseph Campbell ("The Hero with a Thousand Faces") type adventure, he meets with many situations that help him grow and understand the problem that Colonel Kurtz faced. Will he complete his mission or succumb to the came forces as the colonel in the heart of darkness?
The Redux version should have been the version to begin with as it explains why certain things appear out of nowhere and why the people have such attitudes towards each other. There was no fluff to cut out as it is the crucial ideas behind the whole story that was cut out. The Redux version replaces much of the mystery with purpose and is intriguing itself as the story or mission progresses. I purchased both versions and must say it is worth the price. I only hope I do not find a third version with a missing hour. This is basically an updated version of Joseph Conrad's book "Heart of Darkness" with a lot Francis Ford Coppola thrown in. The location is Viet Nam, instead of Africa, and as with any update; they thought it would be more relevant than trying to explain the Congo. Toss in some songs from the 60's era ("The Best of the Doors"- `The End'), and some classics (Wagner - "Die Walkure: Ride of the Valkyries"), and you have a movie. Too bad it is not that easy. I would not worry too much whether this looks like Vietnam or if certain events really take place, as that is not the point of the picture or the intent of the story telling. The feel of the book was conveyed. And I would not worry if it does not match the book story word for word as this is a different media. If you come away with the question "what would I do if it were me?" it worked. Not to distract from the movie review, however I was in Viet Nam (1967-1968) in an armed reconnaissance organization. And the Vietnam I was in did not have the surrealistic scenes. We did get to see Bob Hope and Martha Ray "The Big Broadcast of 1938" (1938). Before that I always thought it was a bunch of hype. However it did make a difference having them take the time to go there. So I could see something as weird as the bunny scene happening. Besides the movie there are the Scenes of the destruction of the Kurtz compound set. They were required to clean up after the movie was made. Coppola says that these scenes were removed from the end of the movie so people did not think that it was part of the story. However I saw this on TV and they left the scenes in and I did think it was part of the story. Another movie interpretation of, "Heart of Darkness" was made later. Not quite as moving as Apocalypse Now, but you should see it to compare to the original, "Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death "(1988). Adrienne Barbeau is Dr. Kurtz.
5.0 out of 5 stars
You're Just an Errand Boy Sent by Grocery Clerks,
This review is from: Apocalypse Now Redux (DVD)
There are many excellent reviews written on the plot summary of Apocalypse Now. Therefore, because I am a adjunct history prof., my review will emphasize the important literary influences on the writers Francis Ford Copolla, (director as well), John Milius and Michael Herr. The movie is a seminal work because it was influenced by four important works of the twentieth century: Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, T. S. Elliott's poem the Wasteland, Sir James George Frazer's book The Golden Baugh, and Jessie L. Weston's book From Ritual To Romance. By the way, anyone who has read Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces cannot deny that the movie follows his paradigm of the "hero's quest." One actually gets a visual glimpse of this in the movie in a scene with Col. Kurtz in his cave. On his night stand one can briefly see T. S. Elliott's poem the Wasteland, Sir James George Frazer's book The Golden Baugh, and Jessie L. Weston's book From Ritual To Romance.
Sir James George Frazer's book The Golden Baugh was a groundbreaking work on ancient religion, paganism, and roots of early Christianity. Frazer does an in-depth examination of the sacrificial killing of god-kings to ensure bountiful harvests, which Frazer traces through several cultures, including in his elaborations the myths of Adonis, Osiris, and Balder. Frazer spent his life writing fifteen volumes of history of myth and religion. His abridged book sums up his theory of magic and its connections to paganism, as well as fusing ideas from Jessie L. Weston's book From Ritual To Romance and Gnostic texts that serve as a link to early Christianity's influence from ancient nature cults. His chapter titles say much about where his work goes and why it is so influential on iconic twentieth century works. The King of the Wood explains the original nature of the task imposed upon the hero, it undoubtedly influenced both Campbell's and Coppola's works. The Myths of Adonis, Attis, and Osiris looks to establish a chain of descent connecting early Aryan and Babylonian ritual with classic, Medieval and modern forms of nature worship. Our Debt to the Savage explains the role of the Medicine Man or doctor in fertility ritual. The Killing of the Devine King analyzes how this title is prevalent in so many of humankind's legends, and was a definite influence on Coppola's Colonel Kurtz character. Sacrifice of the King's Son regarded as an object of awe certainly influenced the movie. Anyone wanting to understand the movie Apocalypse Now, especially the character of Colonel Kurtz, and what Milius and Copolla were trying to tell their audience need to read these five books! I promise you that in addition to a better understanding of the movie you will have a better insight into mankind's thirst for spirituality. I love the redux version.as a philosopher I find you can "peel" the movie like an onion finding all of its nuances. In addition, one of the greatest movie soundtracks of all time!!! By the way, how could I not love this movie, I am a retired army helicopter pilot! I recommend this movie and the books for anyone interested in literature, myth, history, philosophy, religion and fans of Apocalypse Now.
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the greatest of all time....,
By
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This review is from: Apocalypse Now Redux (DVD)
If you thought Apocalypse Now was good, wait 'til you see the Copolla's longer cut. Amazing.
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