Apocalypse Now
It’s an older movie and it’s certainly not lacking in repute but I can scarcely think of a better film and would recommend it above all else to those who may not have seen it; perhaps because of its three and a half hour runtime. First of all, Apocalypse Now is an adaptation of the epic 1899 novella ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad and as far as adaptations go, it is an amazingly faithful reimagining; not a fragment of the novella’s dark narrative and characters, cynicism for imperialism or comedic despair are lost. It defies the conventions of most Vietnam War movies by avoiding American patriotism and instead exploring the barbarity of the war as well as the psychological damage it inflicted on those involved. It is engaging and interesting throughout and changes tone dramatically as the characters move slowly up the river towards their destination deep in the heart of the Indochinese jungle.
It’s an older movie and it’s certainly not lacking in repute but I can scarcely think of a better film and would recommend it above all else to those who may not have seen it; perhaps because of its three and a half hour runtime. First of all, Apocalypse Now is an adaptation of the epic 1899 novella ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad and as far as adaptations go, it is an amazingly faithful reimagining; not a fragment of the novella’s dark narrative and characters, cynicism for imperialism or comedic despair are lost. It defies the conventions of most Vietnam War movies by avoiding American patriotism and instead exploring the barbarity of the war as well as the psychological damage it inflicted on those involved. It is engaging and interesting throughout and changes tone dramatically as the characters move slowly up the river towards their destination deep in the heart of the Indochinese jungle.
I can only describe this film as flawless.
- John
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