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181 of 187 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Original versus Redux (see comments section for my "Redux" DVD review), May 9, 2003
I'm a hardcore Apocalypse Now fanatic, and this, the original version of the film, is what made me one, several years ago. Reviewers like to debate endlessly over which version is better, this or the Redux. Personally, I like both, but I find this original version to be more surreal, relentless, and, to quote another reviewer, more "dangerous." The fact is, Coppola used different shots and edits in the Redux, in some cases diluting the surreal impact of the original. Plus the characters Kilgore and Kurtz come off more strongly in the original; sure, we get to see more humanity from Kilgore in the Redux, but his exit in the original is much more memorable, much better than the "tossing megaphone into the air" antics as shown in the Redux. And Kurtz is a more powerful Evil One in the original version, not much more than a shadow.
What gets me is that, in the press releases that came out with Redux, Coppola claimed that he no longer considered the 1979 version of Apocalypse to be "unusual." He felt that, today, it comes off as a rather ordinary film. So he integrated an extra 50 minutes into the movie, to make it more unusual. The thing is, the Redux is, if anything, MORE normal than the original. After all, you get more character development, a romantic subplot, etc; all the things the unusual (and unique), original version lacked. The very lack of these things is what gives the original such a mysterious, dangerous edge. There is no levity in the original, no stealing of surfboards, no Playmates for the PBR crew. Only the dark jungle, and the mission.
If it's true that Coppola wanted to make the original version even more unusual, then I wonder why he chose to add the Plantation sequence and the Playboy Bunnies escapade. Having seen the Work Print, I know that there is a wealth of material Coppola could've used. Bizarre? Unusual? How about a scene in which Martin Sheen's Willard, trapped in a bamboo cage, writhes in pain as the montangnards (and Kurtz's American soldiers) dance and chant around him, as they sacrifice a pig? Or how about Willard, still in the cage, being questioned by Kurtz, who tells Willard that he's as weak as his "colleagues in Washington?" Or how about possibly the most bizarre scene of all: Dennis Hopper's Photojournalist being shotgunned to death by Scott Glenn's character Colby?
Coppola could have used any or all of these scenes to make a truly "unusual" film, one that would successfully create a darker film. If anything, the extra scenes in Redux lighten the film's mood. Coppola could have even improved on the end of the movie. That's one thing that's always bothered me about Apocalypse Now. Willard's hired to murder Kurtz; when he finally does, all he has to do is just walk into Kurtz's temple, take out one guard, and then get to hacking at Kurtz. It comes off as so easy, you wonder why the Army even bothered hiring Willard. This problem is solved in the Work Print, which features Willard taking on a host of guards, including one grisly scene in which he spears an American guard who cowers behind a young, Vietnamese boy. Now, if you ask me, that's more "unusual" than a bunch of French people arguing politics at the dinner table! But unfortunately, Coppola has chosen not to use these scenes, in either official version of the film.
I don't intend to mislead, though. I think the Redux is fine, a five-star movie. It expands on the broader themes of Apocalypse Now, but at the same time lessens the impact of the movie itself. After having watched the Redux a few times, I popped the original in for the first time in a few years. I was amazed at how the film seemed so different than the Redux, so much more psychedelic and surreal. Even the fades and images shown in the beginning and the end are different in the original, more disturbing. And that's the main difference between the two versions: the original is much more disturbing.
I'll finish with another quote, taken from the web. Which director do you think is better, the Francis Coppola of 1976/1979, or the Francis Coppola of 2001? Of these two very different directors, whose vision would you be more willing to trust?
1/27/09 update: Six years ago I also had a review for the "Redux" DVD here on Amazon. Somehow it's been removed from the site -- it seems Amazon has combined the reviews for the original Apocalypse Now DVD release with the reviews for the "Redux DVD" release. And since Amazon has a policy that a reviewer can only post one review per item, it appears that my "Redux" review got the boot. I've rescued it from oblivion via a Google cache search; please see the Comments section, below, for the review.
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41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Mesmerizing Than Ever..., February 24, 2003
This review refers to the Widescreen Collection(Paramount)DVD edition of "Apocalypse Now - Redux"......
In 1979's "Apocalypse Now", Francis Ford Coppola presented us with a mesmerizing, stunning look at the horrors of Viet Nam. It was a film that looked at the hearts and minds of the soldiers and the effects the brutualities had on them. A magnificent work at the time, you wouldn't believe it could be any better. But now, more than 20 years later(and well worth the wait), Coppola has seen his vision completed, with the reediting of the film and the addition of previously deleted scenes, to bring us this gift of the even more mesmerizing "Apocalypse Now Redux".
There is an additional 49 minutes now, and although I don't feel that every minute of it was essential to making this classic film an even better one, there is a new story here that helps us relate to the frame of mind of the soldiers. A scene where the boat crew takes time out for a rendevous with the playboy bunnies is one example of that.And although this scene may be a bit of a shocker at first, as it introduces a sexual situtaion where it was previously non exsistent, it gives us a greater understanding of what's going on in their heads. The added scene of the time spent on the French Plantation was again an eye-opener, and the funeral for "Mr. Clean" also was a welcome addition as it gives us a closure to the closeness we felt to this character. And of course, a little more time with the insane Colonel Kurtz was enlightning as well (who wouldn't want to spend a little more time with any character of Brando's?).
The original film from 1979 received 8 nominations by Oscar, including Best Picture, Director, and a supporting actor nod for Robert("I love the smell of Napalm in the morning")Duvall. It took home well deserved Oscars for Cinematography(Vittorio Storaro) and Sound.
It stars Martin Sheen as Lt. Willard, who beset with his own emotional problems is sent on a dangerous mission to "terminate" the esteemed Col. Kurtz, played brillantly by Brando, who has now been driven insane by "The Horror" of it all. Willard is escorted into the wilds of Cambodia by a boat crew including a young Laurence Fishburne and Frederick Forrest. You will also find Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Sam Bottoms,Albert Hall, and Christan Marquand in this incredible cast.
The DVD is beautifully remastered. You won't miss a thing with the widescreen presentation and the incredible Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound. The colors and sounds of the jungles are captured wonderfully.There are no Special features, but may be viewed with English subtitles is needed. The scene selection does indicate which are the new scenes which is quite helpful if it's been a while since you've seen it.
Still can't decide between the original and the Redux. This film is a treasure in any form. It's a piece of cinematic history that's probably worth getting both editions if you can. If not, give this one a try. It's a must for fans of classic cinema.
"Never Get Out of The Boat"....Lt. Willard....thanks and enjoy..Laurie
recommended reading:Into the DMZ A Battle History of Operation Hickory, May 1967, Vietnam(see my review for details)
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great film suffers a bit by addition, but it's still great, March 16, 2002
"Apocalypse Now" is, put simply, is a masterpiece. It is a big, ungainly mess of a film, but that chaos serves the setting-the Vietnam War-incredibly well. No better film has ever been made about the complexity of the human soul, and many of the moments in "Apocalypse Now"-the "Ride of the Valkyries" sequence, Colonel Kilgore, and "the horror...the horror," have all become touchstone moviegoing and cultural items. One would think a masterpiece like that wouldn't need a touchup, but now comes "Apocalpyse Now Redux," with over 45 minutes of new footage, a reworked (and very good) soundtrack, and a gorgeous new image transfer. For those of us who never got the opportunity to see this movie in a theater when it was first released, this new version is as technically good as it gets. However, having viewed "Redux" a few times, I have to ask a question: what does the new version really add? Does it make the original masterpiece better? Respectively, the answers to those questions are "not much," and "no." In fact, the extra length and scenes in "Redux" make the film seem more ponderous and self-indulgent than the original, which wasn't exactly a model of efficient storytelling. The highlight of "Redux" is the "French plantation" scene, which has been discussed endlessly by movie buffs, but has never been seen before. The sequence is interesting, and sometimes thought provoking-there is a lengthy discussion of the French Vietnam experience, some references to Willard's dual nature, and some stunning cinematography-but it just doesn't add all that much for to justify its 30-minute length. The other big "new" sequence involves Willard and his companions finding the Playboy bunnies, whom they first saw at the USO show, stuck in a weird Army camp in the middle of nowhere. Subsequently, Willard arranges a little R&R for the men with the bunnies. "Apocalypse Now" is a surreal take on Vietnam, but this sequence is absolutely implausible, it's completely out of character for Willard, and it is poorly written to boot. Other "new" footage involves more detail on Willard's torture at the Kurtz compound, and some scenes use different takes of familiar material. And while this stuff is interesting, "Apocalypse Now" is a masterpiece, and when something's right, you usually don't improve it by fiddling around. "Redux" brings to mind Paul Thomas Anderson's comments about some of the scenes he deleted from "Boogie Nights." He said that while some of these scenes were near and dear to his heart, and some were special in their own way, there was something about each of them that just didn't serve the story well enough to make the final cut. Those thoughts rang so true when I watched the "new" material in "Redux." When a skilled director like Francis Ford Coppola leaves material out of a film, there's a reason. In the case of "Redux," the reason is simple: the material left out, while worthwhile and frequently interesting, just doesn't make the movie stronger. This isn't to say that the "Redux" materials sink the film; when your starting point is as brilliant as "Apocalypse Now," a few discordant notes won't ruin anything. And for those of us who treasure this film, the extras are quite interesting. But I find myself scratching my head and wondering if it was money or ego that made Francis Ford Coppola fool around with the original. ______________________________________________________________ A word about the DVD: it's clear Paramount was in it for the bucks on this one. There are no special features, save the trailer, and the original film is still available on DVD. If you want to compare the two versions, you'll have to buy both. Paramount could have done its customers a huge favor by bringing out an entirely new DVD, with the added "Redux" sequences as bonus materials and an upgraded sound and color transfer. Or, it could have done what Artisan did with "Terminator 2," and include both versions on the DVD, letting the viewer select which version he wanted to see. And if Paramount REALLY wanted to do right by its customers, it could have included "Hearts of Darkness," the documentary made by Coppola's wife on the making of "Apocalypse Now." The documentary is brilliant, and it's a must-see for anyone who loves "Apocalypse Now." In particular, the part where Marlon Brando shows up at the newly-constructed "Kurtz jungle hell" set tipping in at about 300 pounds, bald, and mumbling is just not to be missed. Frankly, what I'd really love to see is the original cut of "Apocalpyse Now," with the reworked sound and color transfer of "Redux." Anyone listening there at Paramount?
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