I’m a hardcore Apocalypse Now fanatic, and this, the new 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 catch this new version to be more surreal, relentless, and, to quote another reviewer, more “risky.” The fact is, Coppola faded different shots and edits in the Redux, in some cases diluting the surreal impact of the unusual. Plus the characters Kilgore and Kurtz approach off more strongly in the original; positive, we accumulate to scrutinize more humanity from Kilgore in the Redux, but his exit in the fresh is powerful more memorable, grand better than the “tossing megaphone into the air” antics as shown in the Redux. And Kurtz is a more noteworthy Corrupt One in the fresh version, not distinguished more than a shadow.
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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 “fresh.” He felt that, today, it comes off as a rather ordinary film. So he integrated an extra 50 minutes into the movie, to produce it more new. The thing is, the Redux is, if anything, MORE normal than the fresh. After all, you acquire more character development, a romantic subplot, etc; all the things the recent (and fresh), current version lacked. The very lack of these things is what gives the new such a mysterious, perilous edge. There is no levity in the unique, no stealing of surfboards, no Playmates for the PBR crew. Only the shaded jungle, and the mission.
If it’s moral that Coppola wanted to gain the novel version even more recent, 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 broken-down. Bizarre? Novel? How about a scene in which Martin Sheen’s Willard, trapped in a bamboo cage, writhes in afflict as the montangnards (and Kurtz’s American soldiers) dance and chant around him, as they sacrifice a pig? Or how about Willard, collected in the cage, being questioned by Kurtz, who tells Willard that he’s as passe 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?
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Coppola could have aged any or all of these scenes to design a truly “unique” film, one that would successfully fabricate a darker film. If anything, the extra scenes in Redux lighten the film’s mood. Coppola could have even improved on the ruin of the movie. That’s one thing that’s always bothered me about Apocalypse Now. Willard’s hired to abolish Kurtz; when he finally does, all he has to do is fair hasten into Kurtz’s temple, capture out one guard, and then procure to hacking at Kurtz. It comes off as so easy, you wonder why the Army even bothered hiring Willard. This dilemma is solved in the Work Print, which features Willard taking on a host of guards, including one homely scene in which he spears an American guard who cowers gradual a young, Vietnamese boy. Now, if you ask me, that’s more “current” than a bunch of French people arguing politics at the dinner table! But unfortunately, Coppola has chosen not to consume these scenes, in either official version of the film.
I don’t intend to mislead, though. I judge the Redux is comely, 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 unusual in for the first time in a few years. I was amazed at how the film seemed so different than the Redux, so grand more psychedelic and surreal. Even the fades and images shown in the beginning and the kill are different in the modern, more disturbing. And that’s the main disagreement between the two versions: the new is worthy more disturbing.
I’ll attain with another quote, taken from the web. Which director do you contemplate 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 region — it seems Amazon has combined the reviews for the fresh 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 notice the Comments part, below, for the review.
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, elegant perceive 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 sparkling work at the time, you wouldn’t absorb 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 itsy-bitsy of it was notable to making this classic film an even better one, there is a novel record here that helps us portray 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 thought 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. Well-kept” also was a welcome addition as it gives us a closure to the closeness we felt to this character. And of course, a shrimp more time with the insane Colonel Kurtz was enlightning as well (who wouldn’t want to utilize a diminutive more time with any character of Brando’s? ) .
The new film from 1979 received 8 nominations by Oscar, including Best Characterize, Director, and a supporting actor nod for Robert(”I cherish 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 beget emotional problems is sent on a unsafe mission to “stop” the esteemed Col. Kurtz, played brillantly by Brando, who has now been driven insane by “The Awe” 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 score Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, Sam Bottoms,Albert Hall, and Christan Marquand in this extraordinary cast.
The DVD is beautifully remastered. You won’t miss a thing with the widescreen presentation and the astounding 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 explain which are the novel scenes which is quite apt if it’s been a while since you’ve seen it.
Still can’t settle between the recent and the Redux. This film is a love in any accomplish. It’s a part 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 Procure Out of The Boat”….Lt. Willard….thanks and savor..Laurie
recommended reading:Into the DMZ A Battle History of Operation Hickory, May 1967, Vietnam(contemplate my review for details)
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