Apocalypse Now Redux

Apocalypse Now Redux is a re-edited version of the 1979 classic war film, Apocalypse Now, directed by the legendary filmmaker, Francis Ford Coppola. Beautifully remastered with approximately 49 minutes of scenes not included in the original cut, it brings to life an extended version of the original story, while helping to facilitate a deeper understanding of the narrative. It stars some of Hollywood's most distinguished actors, including Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, and Robert Duvall.

Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the film follows the journey of Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen), an American army officer, who is tasked with executing a special mission. Willard is ordered to assassinate a rogue American officer, Colonel Walter E. Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who is believed to have gone mad in the jungles of Cambodia. According to military intelligence, Kurtz has established himself as a local deity and is waging his own brutal war disconnected from American commands.

While the movie is principally about war, it is also about the human mind's journey into darkness. The film cleverly utilizes the backdrop of physical violence, chaos, and darker aspects of human nature to portray an internal conflict within individuals caught in the crossfire of war. It's an exploration of the damages and transformation war can inflict upon a person's psyche.

Progressing as a river Odyssey into the unknown, the narrative dwells upon and examines the chaotic absurdities of war and the moral questions that such a conflict often invokes. Each stage of Willard’s journey introduces the audience to a variety of compelling and often surreal characters which, combined with the stunning visuals and electrifying sound sequences, culminate in creating an immersive and intense viewing experience.

Martin Sheen's portrayal of Captain Willard is exceptional, demonstrating an undercurrent of obsession, fear, and determination as he further descends into the murky depths of his mission. Marlon Brando brings a chilling perspective to Colonel Kurtz, a man driven to the brink of insanity by the horrors of war, and Robert Duvall's iconic performance as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore adds a sense of absurdity, emphasizing the fanaticism and thrill often associated with war.

Coppola astutely addresses human morality while offering an appraisal of the disturbing realities of war. He puts viewers in touch with the heart of darkness, and, in doing so, creates a vivid societal commentary on the times. This is a movie that is as much about the journey as it is about the destination, complicated and intense, yet uniquely engaging.

Apocalypse Now Redux also sees more extended scenes that shed light on the psychological sobering experiences that the soldiers face. These additional scenes provide more context, fortifying the narrative structure, characteristics, and dynamics in the original film, making the journey more intricate and giving a more rounded depiction of the story.

The cinematography, by Vittorio Storaro, is mesmerizing, presenting war in a paradoxical beauty; it's gripping, and yet, it's hauntingly dreadful. His visual poetry amplifies the tormented and apocalyptic view of war. The score, by Carmine Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola, adds depth to the palpable tension throughout the movie, intensifying the viewing experience.

In conclusion, Apocalypse Now Redux is a landmark in American cinema. This expanded version is not merely an extension of a classic film but rather a re-contextualizing of the original material. Harrowing, surreal, and transfixing, it presents a chilling and profound look at the psychological horrors of war, venturing beyond what one might typically expect from a war movie. Though it's a longer viewing experience, it is also richer and denser, offering viewers a fuller understanding of Coppola's vision. Apocalypse Now Redux remains a compelling and cinematic masterpiece, one that must be experienced, not simply watched, to be fully understood.