Apocalypse Now

Conrad's “Heart of Darkness” is one of those timeless books, and it's not bad at all. It is all the more remarkable that Coppola's adaptation does not fall short in any respect, it even surpasses it in many ways. At least in the director's cut, it is an equally riveting probe through the darkness of the soul and madness. (15/09/2006)

I've been looking forward to this film for a long time. And it didn't disappoint me one bit. I've seen the director's cut, which is extra long but worth it. This is a beautiful example of the madness of war turning into a journey into the depths of the human soul. It’s incredibly dark with great performances and breathtaking direction. (19/11/2015)

A thought-provoking and emotional opus that is unparalleled in the world of cinema and that lives up to its name not only because of everything that happened during the shooting, but mainly because it actually added a completely new, spiritual dimension to the concept of the Apocalypse. The horror and futility of war in all its glory, supported by masterful direction, unbelievable performances and the best cinematography I have ever seen in a film. Naturalism of the coarsest grain, which makes it hard to breathe and makes our conscience so hungry that we have to think for a long time about what and HOW we just saw, heard and FELT. BEST OF THE BEST:-) 100% (26/09/2013)

I first saw Apocalypse Now practically at the same time as the similarly famous film Platoon. While Stone impressed me, I had a reserved attitude toward Coppola's war drama. I couldn't help but feel a certain disappointment, which partly came from exaggerated expectations - according to many movie fans, it should have been the greatest war film of all time. The execution is undoubtedly luxurious - Coppola showcases cunning filmmaking full of suggestive scenes, the camera works wonders, and the visual compositions send shivers down your spine. Everyone interested in film direction could learn from the effective use of double exposures and crossfades (the opening scene is characteristic, where the camera focuses on the detail of a helicopter propeller and then transitions to a hotel room, where we observe the spinning fan propeller). The gloomy jungle, the fascinating panoramic shots of tropical landscapes - it all creates what we call atmosphere. The quality actors portray intense characters exposed to extreme conditions. At this juncture, everything was fine and the reputation of Apocalypse Now was not a lie. However, I have a problem with the story. Coppola took it from Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness." Its plot takes place in Belgian Congo and anyone familiar with the history of the Congolese genocide and bloody wars of the 20th century regarding the local natural riches will understand that the story of a deranged officer who escapes any control fits perfectly. The same narrative set in the Vietnam War, combined with an American officer, seems inappropriate and exaggerated. Not to mention that Coppola is so carried away by his artistic vision that it seems like he is not shooting a war drama, but rather staging a theater. This theatrical overexertion culminates in the execution of a rebellious officer, reminiscent of a pagan ritual, and it disturbs me to such an extent that the film didn't even come close to a five-star rating from my perspective. Overall impression: 75%. (06/02/2015)

With his depiction of the war in Vietnam, Coppola managed to show all of the influences that slowly turned a regular man into a deranged madman. The dark aura built around Colonel Walter E. Kurtz is entrancing and Coppola’s style of gradually revealing his personality is just perfect. Also equally perfect is Marlon Brando himself who in his acting shaves the essence of man down to the marrow in his acting. Martin Sheen as Captain Willard superbly captured the transformation of a person scarred by war. His dilemma and inability to live as before. A breathtaking experience. A masterpiece. (02/12/2006)