"You're neither. You're a errand boy sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill." One of the BEST lines in history, delivered by one of the BEST actors in history, shot by one of the BEST directors in history. Every time I see that moment, I get chills. It's SO GOOD.
In 1979 I had to pick my "favorite film" for the senior yearbook - and I chose this film. Nearly everyone else chose Animal House....and today, I feel vindicated! =)
From what I've read and in the documentary, Sheen was drunk in the room during that scene, exorcising some emotional demons, and Coppola was egging him on, saying things like, "Your wife is going to leave you." Sheen also had a heart attack during filming. He was not in a healthy place, physically or mentally, in those days.
@@Calamity_Jack Not only was Sheen drunk and releasing emotional "baggage" (egged-on by Francis), that "Saigon hotel room" scene was, also, shot on Martin's 36th Birthday! (and he was, yes: quite inebriated, "for reals!") (and, if I'm not mistaken: that may well have been his FIRST day on set - after the releasing of Keitel and acquisition of Sheen as the lead!)
Martin Sheen also had a heart attack during filming. And he was only in his 30s. This movie took him to a dark place. Peak method acting. Every performance is absolutely exceptional.
I was at the premiere of this film back in 1979. WOW is the exact words I used at the end of the film. The audience was in shocked silence. In those day the public could buy tickets to premieres and I went to some of the biggest ones. I was with 10 friends and we stared at each other. The first thing I did was find out where Coppola was and made a beeline to him. The place was in total silence as people left. I was able to walk into the row in front of him and stopped to face him. I leaned over and put out my hand and said "Thank you for one of the greatest movies I've ever seen!" He took my hand in what seemed like relief and smiled up at me and said "Thank You." For some reason that seemed to give the crowd the okay to talk again and as they went by him and say various versions of "great movie". It is still one of my favorite films in all versions (yes, there are different versions -but this is still the best). You have given one of the best reactions I've ever seen to a movie. I love that you know who everyone is and how movies are made. Thanks for a great afternoon spent reliving my journey into Coppola's Heart Of Darkness.
Not only it's an amazing film at face value, it's symbolism is outstanding. The deeper Martin Sheen gets into the jungle, the deeper he enters his own mind, and the crazier and more primal the things he encounters. Until he meets Brando, a war demon inside his own mind. And he can only return home after he puts down that demon. It's the most fascinating film I've seen about war.
Hi Coby now that you've watched one of my favorite Vietnam films you have to watch two of my other favorites if you already haven't, Full Metal Jacket and Platoon.. then we can rank which ones are better 🤟
@@danielschaeffer1294 Full Metal was awesome but Platoon was my favorite, maybe bcuz I'm a big fan of Willem Defoe and Keith David but I get you Full Metal was flawless
It was good to see the old "PBR" River Boats again. Hard to believe that it was almost 55 years ago for those of us who served there. River Division 593, 1970- 1972.
@@Anonymous-ff5wr Thank You Brother. But did we really ever come home. Home wasn't home anymore. I stayed in the Navy for 30+ years and that was my new home. The movie was an OK fun watch but had flaws. It felt like another Hollywood anti war film of the time. However, it did touch on some very real events. There was a real person that was much like the Fictional character of Col. Kurtz. His name was Anthony Poshepny (Tony Poe) he operated much like the fictional character in the movie during that conflict. He's an interesting read. If anyone is interested in the Navy's river boat operations "TF-116" Mobile Riverine Force look up "scramble the sea wolfs" documentary. It tells the story about us and the unknown war that went on in the Mekong River Delta. Thanks again, Senior
the scenes with Harrison Ford were filmed in 1976, in total they spent 16 months (overcoming many difficulties) shooting the movie finishing in August 1977. First release was for the Cannes Film Festival in May 1979, worldwide later that year.
marlon brando is the anchor of pop culture between the golden age of hollywood in the 40s and 50s to the post-modern brilliance of the 70s with pacino, de niro, and company... he's the father to those. the same message carried on by his disciples... the godfather and apocalypse now are metaphors for the passing of the torch and the progression of the culture... james dean couldn't do it, not borgart, or gable, or anyone... only brando could carry on the zeitgeist. in the midst of hd colour cameras, punk rock, and a bandana wearing dennis hopper... there's a bald marlon brando...
Remember ... old school classic special effects. Has raw real, hand made feel, like many of the classic films of the past. Real helicopters, jets, tanks, real locations, actual explosions ... NO digital CGI, no green screen, or dizzying excessive quick edits/cuts.
Coby, the actor playing the emcee of the Playboy Playmate show for the troops was Bill Graham. He was arguably the greatest concert promoter in music history, from the mid-sixties until his untimely passing in a helicopter crash in Oct 1991. He ran two of the most important music venues in modern music history, Fillmore East in NYC and Fillmore West in San Francisco, from 1968-71.
I kinda get that reactors want to flex how knowledgeable they are, many reactors do that. But making it a "recognize-the-actor" game kinda keeps pulling you out of the story. When I personally watch I just try to ignore that I've seen Harrison Ford as space smuggler, archeologist, CIA agent, undercover cop, Russian submarine captain, wrongly convicted doctor, cyberpunk bounty hunter and president of the USA. And rather just try to believe that he's some random nervous military guy who drops his papers
@@shredd5705 Precisely, she has seen 2 of Robert Duvall's roles and acts like she has known his work forever. I wait for the day these channels realize when you DO know cinema there are none of these childish reactions. The festive mood over the "Napalm" quote is so vacuous and silly, would guess she has no clue about the consequences of that bright colour.
@@shredd5705The issue is, if they don’t show any recognition the comments are filled with shitty messages about how ‘dumb the reactors are, not to recognize so & so in this film and did you know they were in such & such film, which YOU reacted to a year & a half ago & you don’t even recognize them. I’m unsubscribing!’ I’ve seen this hundreds of times. I think the easiest way to deal with it is to just say, “oh hey, Harrison Ford, cool,” otherwise it becomes too much & reactors end up missing dialogue while talking about other movies the actor they recognized was in..
@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 You have a point I guess. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. But maybe better not make it into a scene idk. Like you said, better to quickly return to the storyline at hand
It was a water buffalo and it was real. The animal was part of the compensation paid to the locals who appeared in the film, and the way they killed it by ritual sacrifice was how they did it. He just filmed it after seeing how they did it the first time off camera.
I have read that the film crew was allowed to film a ritual of a local tribe. The buffalo was real but not killed for the movie but for food. They just happened to film it and cut it into the scene.
@@CRVideoTutorials Well, sort of correct. The Ifugao tribe, on whose land much of Apocalypse Now was filmed, frequently traded for animals with the film producers , for slaughter for food, chickens, pigs, etc. That was a big part of their compensation for the land use. Two water buffalo were also promised to them. Eleanor Coppola, Francis' wife and a documentary filmmaker herself, watched and filmed the Ifugao tribe's first water buffalo sacrifice. So Coppola decided to film the second one for the film. He did not direct them at all and those were the real tribe members doing their ritual. he decided to film the second slaughter, for the final scenes of the movie.
@@criminalcontent This film was inspired by the books _Heart Of Darkness_ & _Dispatches_ - mainly. Colonel Kurtz really existed and some of his exploits were more outrageous than the film portrays!
Also with you on this, but all due respect, the Looney Tunes were taking massive inspiration from people like Spike Jones and the City Slickers when they started to use high-brow music for lower-brow humor. If you've never heard the Spike Jones version of "The Nutcracker", I'd highly recommend it, and don't listen to the short version either. Spike Jones even has a few famous tunes that were considered suitable for cartoons of their own, including "Der Fuhrer's Face" which was animated by Disney.
The movie is far deeper than the majority of people realize, it taps into primal myth. In many ancient cultures, the king was believed to be responsible for the fertility and prosperity of the land. When his power waned, he had to be replaced through ritual sacrifice, so that the land would not grow ill along with the old king, but be reborn in blood by the hand of the new one. The concept in general is not unknown to even our western cultures, even when the sacrifice was a thing long forgotten. "You and the land are one. Drink." --Perceval to King Arthur. The movie is about the death of the old order and the potential for rebirth. Willard, importantly, does not follow in Kurtz' footsteps. This myth is discussed at length in The Golden Bough, a book Kurtz owns.
He also has a copy of From Ritual to Romance, about the history of the myth of the Fisher King, who is also the Grail King, which is the same archetype you're referring to.
And when I was 15 and saw this movie when it came out, I somehow sensed all this. Even if I (obviously) didn't know it intellectually, the ideas were communicated. Apocalypse Now opened up the sense of infinite mystery and the pre-history of man and his "heart of darkness." I didn't know the myth texts, etc. But the film showed me how deep the human experience is and was. You're so correct. (And the film led me to The Golden Bough, too.)
@@markdodson6453I saw this with my dad in the theater when I was 11 & had a similar experience. While I couldn’t verbalize it at that age, I understood much of it at an almost genetic level. My young mind just absorbed the mythic aspects of it all. I didn’t watch this film again till I was around 22-23 & I was surprised how much I remembered & how little what I originally felt had changed. Even seeing it at 56, I’m pretty impressed with how quick my 11 year old self was at picking out this film’s overarching themes.
Such a great film. As for the reaction, this was THE BEST REACTION from you, and I have seen many. You never disappoint. Thank you once again. Enjoy your day.
Coppola's wife Eleanor Coppola co-directed the documentary "Heart of Darkness" (1991) which was the making of Apocalypse Now. I highly recommend it, because what everyone went through making the movie. I won't give anything away but it was just as intense as the movie.
Heart of Darkness is the Joseph Conrad novel which is basically a critique of European colonialism in Africa where the Kurtz character is an ivory trader. It's what this movie is based on.
I think I'm crushing! Lol. I enjoy your reactions so much! You are so observant. You don't miss anything. I love how you're quickly able to recognize actors. Your laugh is so genuine and you seem to truly enjoy watching these films. I look forward to your videos.
"My film is not a movie. It's not about Vietnam. It is Vietnam. It's what it was really like it was crazy. And the way we made this film is very much like the way the Americans were in Vietnam. We were in the jungle. There were too many of us. We had access to too much money. Too much equipment. And little by little we went insane." -Francis Ford Coppola 1979 at the Cannes Film Festival during the premiere of Apocalypse Now
Robert freaking Duvall, what a great actor. His facial expressions, his slight head nod and shake when he delivers certain lines and also the pauses he gives.
I also read that they didn't even really consult the band to use the song. Obviously Jim Morrison was dead by this movies release but when the other band mate, I think Robbie Krieger, saw the movie, he was surprised to hear the song play in the beginning.
@@dubuggaAbsolutely not, sorry. In fact, the production had purchased the rights to the entire Doors catalog, and if the surviving members were surprised by anything it was that only “The End” wound up getting used in the film. (Writer John Milius preferred “Light My Fire,” but Coppola thought the lyrics were too on the nose, and I think he definitely made the right call.) Morrison and Coppola attended the UCLA film school at the same time, and vaguely knew each other.
"Apocalypse Now" is a 1979 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which is loosely based on the novella "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. The film is set during the Vietnam War, while the novella is set in the Congo Free State during the late 19th century. The movie and the book share themes of the darkness within human nature and the effects of imperialism and war. Here's a comparison and analysis of how "Apocalypse Now" draws from "Heart of Darkness": "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad Plot Summary: Protagonist: Charles Marlow, a sailor, is hired by a Belgian trading company to travel up the Congo River to find Kurtz, an ivory trader who has gone rogue. Journey: Marlow travels deeper into the African jungle, encountering brutal colonial exploitation and witnessing the darkness within humanity. Kurtz: Kurtz is revered by the natives as a god-like figure but has succumbed to madness and moral corruption. Marlow eventually finds Kurtz, who is ill and nearing death. Kurtz’s final words, “The horror! The horror!” reflect his realization of the atrocities and moral degradation he has experienced and perpetrated. "Apocalypse Now" (1979) Plot Summary: Protagonist: Captain Benjamin Willard, a disillusioned soldier, is assigned to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, a rogue officer who has set himself up as a demigod among a local tribe in Cambodia. Journey: Willard travels up the Nung River, witnessing the chaos and horrors of the Vietnam War. The journey exposes the madness and moral ambiguity of the conflict. Kurtz: Colonel Kurtz is portrayed as a once-idealistic soldier who has gone insane. He commands a private army and engages in brutal, ritualistic practices. Willard confronts Kurtz, who, like in the novella, has become a symbol of the darkness within humanity. Kurtz’s final words, “The horror... the horror...” mirror those of Conrad’s Kurtz, encapsulating the central theme of human depravity. Themes and Analysis 1. Darkness Within Humanity: Both works explore the darkness that resides within humans, especially when removed from the constraints of civilization. In "Heart of Darkness," the jungle symbolizes the unknown and the subconscious, where civilized men can revert to primal instincts. In "Apocalypse Now," the chaos of the Vietnam War acts as a backdrop where moral boundaries are blurred, and the true nature of individuals is revealed. 2. Imperialism and Colonialism: "Heart of Darkness" critiques European colonialism and its dehumanizing effects on both the colonizers and the colonized. "Apocalypse Now" translates this critique to the context of American intervention in Vietnam, highlighting the absurdity and brutality of war. 3. Madness: Kurtz’s descent into madness is central to both works. His madness is a result of his realization of the inherent evil within humanity and the futility of his endeavors. Both Marlow and Willard undergo personal transformations as they grapple with the reality of Kurtz’s madness and the horrors they witness. Adaptation Differences 1. Setting: The novella is set in the Congo during the height of European colonialism. The film is set during the Vietnam War, reflecting contemporary issues of the 1970s. 2. Protagonist’s Role: Marlow is a somewhat passive observer, while Willard is an active participant, tasked with assassinating Kurtz. 3. Narrative Style: "Heart of Darkness" is a frame narrative, with Marlow recounting his story to friends aboard a boat on the Thames. "Apocalypse Now" uses a more straightforward narrative, focusing on Willard’s mission. 4. Themes: While the core themes remain the same, "Apocalypse Now" also delves into the specific context of the Vietnam War, questioning American intervention and military strategy. Conclusion "Apocalypse Now" successfully translates the essence of Joseph Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness" to a new setting and era. By doing so, it preserves the exploration of human nature, madness, and the critique of imperialism, while also addressing the unique horrors of the Vietnam War. The film stands as a powerful adaptation, bringing the timeless themes of the novella to a contemporary audience.
Fun fact: Joseph Conrad was Polish, his full name was Jozef Konrad Korzeniowski, he was himself a sea captain and was speaking English with a thick Polish accent. But he learned to write in English and became a writter.
The scene with the buffalo was real. The local tribe who were acting as extras for the movie were sacrificing it for a religious ritual, and they let Coppola film it. The story about the VC chopping off the Vietnamese kids' inncoulated arms was real too. I used to talk to a Vietnam vet online who saw it with his own eyes. He had PTSD so he hadn't watched any Vietnam War films for obvious reasons. When he told the story, and people told him that Kurtz tells it in Apocalypse Now, he did some digging and discovered that a guy from his old unit was a technical advisor on the film.
@@alecfoster4413 I know that his book has been used for a few scenes in war movies. Maybe it was the scene where the VC was holding his guts in with the pot lid.
When I came into the service in the 80s we still had a lot of Platoon Sergeants and senior officers that were Vietnam vets. What was interesting was that when I brought up AN (my favorite film) the ones that served in the early years of the war insisted “Oh, those sorts of things NEVER happened,” referring to the water-skiing or Supply Sergeants selling dope… but the ones that served in the later years, when discipline began breaking down, would say “Oh that stuff happened ALL the time.” One described the Red Cross ladies delivering doughnuts (“Doughnut Dollies”) during an evening firefight when the base was being assaulted. That’s the nicest story I can tell
The appreciation of all that went into the making of this film is so enjoyable. The empathy you bring adds to the viewing experience. Always a pleasure.
This masterpiece can be summed up in one word: POWERFUL. It is in every sense, in its symbolism, its message, the dialogues, the monologues, the script, the performances and the cast, TOTAL POWER. Great reaction Miss Coby and by the way you missed recognizing Colby, Scott Glenn and R. Lee Ermey as one of the Kilgore's pilots.
Fun fact: Lawrence Fishburne was 14 win production started. So he was playing a character 3 years older than he actually was. The hand injury Sheen suffers in the hotel scene was real. He wasn't acting drunk, he was really drunk, and punching the mirror wasn't scripted or a breakaway prop. It was a real mirror and he really cut his hand when he punched it. Coppola decided to run with it, and the result is what you see. Finally, I totally approve of your choice in pants for this reaction.
The moment Willard throws the machete down the steps and everyone follows suit with their own weapons… the eerie music…. Him grabbing Lance and pulling him along…. It gets me every time! One of the best films I’ve ever seen…. A masterpiece! So glad you liked it!
Despite this movie haven’t come out until 1979, Harrison Ford actually did this before he was in Star Wars. His scene was shot in 1976, before he made Star Wars and just made American Graffiti and had a small role in The Conversation. Which is why he looks so young. Apocalypse Now took 16 months to shoot and over a year to get completed which is why it didn’t come out till 79. And ford by that point had made A New Hope which is why audiences were surprised he had such a small part in the film.
Just subscribed. Like you, I'm 40, and saw this film for the first time 6 months ago. Blown away. Couldn't believe I waited that long, but perhaps a good decision, with age adding to the appreciation.
Young lady! You've earned yourself a subscribe with your reaction and grasp of this movie! My father was a Vietnam Vet. This was one of his favorite movies. I've seen it so many times that I couldn't begin to count. If I ever came across a woman that reacted and grasped this movie in the way that you have, she'd find me down on one knee by the ending credits. I want you to put your man on here, so that I can tell him just how lucky he is.
Its actually the greatest antiwar film because it shows the psychological cost, consequences, and damage war can cause. Loved your reaction to this and i think its better you saw it later in your life having such a great knowledge of cinema, the industry' and all it entailes. Watch the documentary on how it was made to discover the events that Martin Sheen endured making it, including the scene of him cutting himself, having an actual psychological and emotional breakdown while Copolla let the camera continue rolling to capture this honest and beautiful moment of him coming to terms with his own personal reckoning of his life. Its the most incredible scene ever filmed.
I had been in training to become an Army Aviator in the 90s. The "cowboy hat" is actually a Stetson worn by members of the 1st Air Cavalry. They were a bunch of swashbucklers back then, stationed out in the middle of nowhere with lots and lots of action. As Sheen's character stated, "they traded their horses for choppers and went tear-assing around 'Nam". A good memoir to read about the Air Cav is "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. He wrote the book in 1980 about his tour as a helicopter pilot in the Air Cav in Vietnam. I read his book prior to reporting for active duty and it frightened the hell out of me. Harrison Ford, a big aviation enthusiast, at one time tried to have the book made into a screenplay for an eventual film.
@@avestuart You got me hunting for my copy of Chickenhawk and I found another great one on the shelf called "Shockwave" about the Aussies who modified their Hueys in Vietnam to be gunships by beg, borrowing and stealing stuff from Marines and the Army because they were desperate for a CAS capability. I'm a fixed wing pilot myself but did have a couple chances to take the controls of angry palm trees. Robert Mason nailed the analogy of trying to hover for the first time as standing on a greasy beach ball and juggling.
I was a kid in the 70s, so a little too young to get drafted. And my dad was a little too old, he served almost exactly between Korea and Vietnam. But all my buddies' dads? They were coming back horribly scarred. One dear friend's dad flew those choppers in the Air Cav but unknown division. He would not discuss Vietnam. He would not watch movies about it. He could only pretend it never happened. A very successful engineer, again like my dad. I don't know what would've happened if he wasn't a Hawk missile guy. I read all the Bat-21. Better Times Than These. Heart of Darkness. All's Quiet on the Western Front. The Red Badge of Courage. I don't even want to think about it anymore.
@@series3113 just prior to reporting, I was at lunch with friend's dad and I told him that I had been selected to fly helicopters in the Army. He said, "friend of mine did that in Vietnam, he's about half nuts". I was fucking frightened when I reported, lol
This movie came out in 79, which was 4 years after we left Vietnam in 75. The war was still very fresh, and this movie and Coppola beautifully captured the horror, grotesqueness, and insanity that was the Vietnam War!!!
The key to understanding this movie is that the opening sequence clearly establishes that Martin Sheen is insane. But you forget that, because he spends the rest of the movie around people who are progressively even more and more insane, so that he seems more and more normal.
I'm sorry Coby but the cow (water buffalo) was real. It wasn't killed for the movie. As part of the production, Coppola pay with some animals to the tribe that live where the movie was filmed. It included two water buffalos. Once the tribe receive the first one, they slaughter it in this ritualistic way and Coppola decided to film the second sacrifice in order to add it to the movie end (as a documentary). So, the buffalo was destined to die this way with or without film. And yes, it is horrible.
It isn't horrible. That's how the tribe has lived for who knows how long, that's their way of life. The buffalo probably had a better life and death than slaughter cows here in the West, and each bit of it was probably used without waste.
Watch the movie "The Great Santini" Robert Duvall. The Stetson hats are a throwback to the old Cavalry units of the 1800's. They traded their horses for choppers and went crazy in 'Nam.
I take my hat off to you Coby. I'm a brat kid and my dad did time "incountry'. I did not like this movie when it was released, but the older I've become the more this movie represented what was an insane time. Well, now you've experienced it.
Intelligent commentary. I remember spending a month surfing in PR then seeing this film a few months before I reported to Basic Training in 1980. Thought provoking film, though to be honest I already knew what I was getting into.
Great reaction! It is almost criminal that it didn’t win Best Picture that year (lost out to Kramer vs, Kramer 😝), and that Martin Sheen didn’t even get nominated for his performance. Fun fact: in the original theatre release (which I saw 3 times), Willard does call in the air strike at the end and as the credits roll you see explosions that bookend with the opening of the film. When the movie went to video, Coppola changed his mind on how it should end, thinking that Willard would have had enough of killing.
It's still kind of there in this version. They just left it up to interpretation a bit more. Which I think fits the movie much better, as it maintains the mix of the real and the spiritual better.
My dad saw it in its original run and there were no credits of any kind : the theatre ushers handed out a small folded sheet with the credits printed on it. The version with the closing titles on arclight is the one I saw in theatres but it was a "revival" shown about 5 years later - I'm pretty confident in '84-85 (that decade gets progressively more fuzzy as I age and YOU KIDS get off my lawn!) There was another revival in '94 (the 25th anniversary) and I caught it in Toronto, HUGE screen with a kick-ass sound system. That one had no credits, as per the original run, and a printed program, which I still have somewhere. For me it's CITIZEN KANE, 2001 : A SPACE ODYSSEY and this one for my top 3 of all time.
God I’m so glad I watched that with you. It reminded me so much of when I first watched it. I was stunned how great it is. Btw Storaro is the DP, so, along with Coppola (and the landscape), that’s why it looks so beautiful.
It's easy to miss but the poem "The Wasteland" is in Kurtz's quarters. That poem and others were from a literary movement after WW1 that really showed the shift away from the idea of war as a glorious venture to one of senseless slaughter. I have watched a number of people reacting on YT, usually stopping after 1 video. You are really one of the best I have seen because you do have a good grasp of films and references along with intelligence to process what you are watching and it is very rare to see that. I look forward to your reactions to movies.
I second that. Coby got all the beats and was appropriately astonished by the filmmaking. Some reactors are just bored by movies that take the time to go where they need to go. Their loss.
Coby I loved your range of emotions on this one. I visited Vietnam solo in 2022. I skipped the big cities and went straight for the central highlands and coastal areas, riding a motorcycle with a guide from Da Nang to Hue through the Hai Van pass. Along the way we passed the Phu Bai airport, fishing villages, along the foothills of the mountains and jungles on trails. Everywhere we went this movie was running in my mind, comparing the present to what I knew of the past. It was exhilarating and haunting at the same time. I can't wait to go back and discover more.
I've watched several first reaction episodes of people watching this movie, but they all seem to wonder what happens to the people after Willard leaves. In Kurtz's memoirs (that Willard takes with him), Kurtz writes in red "EXTERMINATE THEM ALL!" - so after Willard and Lance leave the area ... the encampment is destroyed by an airstrike while the movie credits play. I don't know if people are reacting to a re-edited version, but the original theater movie make this clear.
I love your reaction when you recognize Lawrence Fishburne ! This movie is a masterpiece. I remember the part when they meet the French colony, the french family living beside the river. Is this a shorter version? I don't know...I remember that part. But very good , I love your reaction. Greetings from a Spanish lonely man !
Harrison was busy in 1979, two others you may find interesting from that year with him "Heroes" with Henry Winkler and Sally Field and "Force 10 from Navarone". He was busy also filming our beloved "The Empire Strikes Back" It was a magical time to be a kid..❤
Laurence Fishburne earned a supporting role in Apocalypse Now, in which he played Tyrone Miller, a cocky 17-year-old Gunner's Mate 3rd Class from the Bronx, nicknamed Mr. Clean. When production began in March 1976, he was just 14 years old, having lied about his age to get the part.
Not only that, but he was so immature and naive at the time that he's quoted as having said he wanted to be part of the movie because Vietnam seemed like a fun war. Maybe that should have clued in Coppola that he was lying about his age.
I watched this in the theater on opening night, and was in a trance until the end. Speechless is an understatement. Supreme reaction Ms Coby... you recognized and appreciated the film for what it is. A classic.
I had that response after watching The Deer Hunter. I was dizzy for a week. It was so "real". I didn't have the same reaction to Apocalypse Now because it was so surreal, I was able to disengage easier.
Yes this came out in 1979 and Star Wars came out in 1977, but it took so long to film Apocalypse Now that filming started in 1976. So Harrison Ford's scenes were likely shot before Star Wars.
Great flick, I remember when this came out, i was in the Marine Corps, and stationed on Okinawa, i actually seen the movie while on a Navy ship in the port of Hong Kong, great memories !
an oscar for best cinematography and best sound,was nominated for best picture,director,supporting actor for duvall ect,.8 nominations in all .i love this film and martin sheens beautiful big SEIKO 6105 diver watch,named now as the WILLARD after sheens character.
2:20 "This is the end, beautiful friend. This is the end, my only friend, the end. Of our elaborate plans, the end. Of everything that stands, the end. No safety or surprise, the end. I'll never look into your eyes, again."
Your legit shock and raw response is what everyone was hoping you'd feel. The exhaustion, the chimerical pulse, the horror..... If you want to take the next step up watch the Redux version, it takes you some place that even the normal version cannot. Thanks for the enjoyably visceral react Coby!
because I was in film class and the teacher knew the editor, I got to see this pre-release at the Cinerama dome in L.A. - in that version, it ended with the air strike after willard and lance left
I think the TV broadcast version still does end with the air strike and closing credits, which the theatrical version had no opening or closing credits, but a playbill handed out with all of that info
First year in college mid 80's in a small town our student apartments only got 2 local channels. I had my VCR and my only 2 VHS tapes, Apocalypse Now and Caddyshack. We played them nonstop all year round whether anyone was watching or not. We literally had the films memorized.
I'm old and saw this so long ago it's cool to see a new generation experience film like this for the first time with an entire new perspective and lens
@@criminalcontent Always try to look for remastered copies of good quality image and sound of the movies, for those who react, so they see them as it should be, because sometimes when the movie looks old image, or are old copies, subtracts that to the experience, because it looks old and this generation subtracts that in the experience, so they should see it with the most modern image possible, so we jump that obstacle of the old image and concentrate on the content of the work. Thanks to the great resmasters at Hollwood you can see excellent copies of old movies.
I'm there with ya. Saw it first week in the theater on the big screen with the big surround sound. It's good to see a new generation exposed to it, but sad it's on a teeny, tiny little screen with headphones. In the theater, the six-channel sound had the helicopters sound like they were flying right over your head toward the back of the house, and the napalming was sixty feet wide!
Great reaction Coby like always this movie is a masterpiece love it, and its based on the Joseph Conrad book "Heart of Darkness," which is about a sailor traveling upriver to find an ivory trader named Kurtz who is supposedly ill and is being worshiped by the natives. Instead of killing Kurtz, which is the mission in the 1979 movie, Conrad's character is out to rescue him. Coppola expected everyone in the film to be familiar with "Heart of Darkness," but when actor Marlon Brando arrived on set, he had neither read the book nor the movie's script. Coppola would spend several days reading the book to Brando during production. Some Fun facts, A Water Buffalo Is Really Sacrificed on Screen. While filming in the Philippines, one of the local tribes, the Ifugao, was slaughtering a water buffalo as a sacrifice. The crew had provided a number of animals to the tribes as payment for filming on their land, including two water buffalo. Coppola's wife filmed one of the water buffalo sacrifices. And coppola himself filmed the second sacrifice. He didn't direct the action; he just filmed it and included the footage in the final scenes of this movie. Keep up the amazing work.
Great reaction. Such a helplessly honest human reaction to the horror and the adrenaline and the visual overload. I like the extended film version myself. The French plantation scene which are one ofi my favourite parts of the whole film, is such a good insight to the historical perspective to the wars in the then Indochina.
The sad thing that you have to realize with the Vietnam War, is that the people in that village the Air Cav destroyed, were Viet Cong "Enemy Combatants"... and their families. After my uncle returned from two tours as a Marine in Vietnam, including the siege of Khe Sanh, he told me about guys that he knew getting blown up by children begging for candy. Whether or not we should have been involved, surviving combat in Vietnam was brutal.
SO glad you got to experience this. It is, truly legendary and iconic (in the true and straightforward meanings of those terms!)! I hardly will remember/understand appropriately "where to begin" (so,. PLEASE!, forgive my jumping form point-to-point (I will, also, be attempting to address things you mentioned wanting to understand, during your watch, as well as: "general"(bad expression, to use, but....) information about the film and its making (which is 'a legend" all its own! NO JOKE!). Firstly, I will mention that: the D.P. is the legendary: Vittorio Storaro. I imagine you are familiar with him (at least by name), but if you don't know the rest of his work, it is, highly, worth searching out! He is, perhaps, BEST-known/MOST well-recognized (besides for his work on: Apocalypse Now!) for shooting: The Conformist as well as: The Last Emperor (as well as the controversial: Last Tango In Paris). ...Storaro worked quite a bit with Bernardo Bertolucci, over the years, as well. ----- This film, also, demands a knowledge and understanding: not simply the Viet-nam conflict, and its existence, both, before and after U.S. involvement), but, also, the original story from which this narrative was extracted: Joseph Conrad's classic novella: Heart Of Darkness. Conrad's Heart Of Darkness deals with: the evils and idiocy (and total misunderstanding, as well as: resultant aggrandized, false self-importance (deriving from all of that!)) of: colonialism (specifically: British Colonialism, in the 1800s & 1900s - but easily applied to ANY version, by any nation or group, at ANY time, anywhere!). The darkness and madness, certainly, increases by involving war, but, actually, I always felt that: there was NOT that much difference in the 2 situations/circumstances, (when you come down to it). Obviously, the French occupation of: Vietnam and Cambodia and Laos, etc. (or, as they referred to it, "in parlance": "Indochina" or "French Indochina"), was, utterly, colonialism of the strongest order, as well, so: it plays in, very well. ...A central "focus" (*I*, myself, would call it) and realization that the reader of: Conrad's Heart Of Darkness is SUPPOSED to have is: the sense that: the further upriver you go, the further into "the depths of" a man's mind your are heading and: you do not know what awaits you there (you begin to have no idea, essentially!) ...and, also: it is, certainly, a reflection of (metaphor for): the, possible, descent into madness (our of which/from which: "escape" is not possible, in the end).). ...Apocalypse Now, **obviously!** reflected this well (as we get this sense of foreboding, existential dread and insanity, the further that we pursue Capt.Willard's mission up the (fictional) "Núng river"). [I have, also, long-stated that: in fact: Eleanor Coppola's (ultra-extensive!) documentary on the MAKING of this film: (itself entitled) Hearts Of Darkness, is AS, if not MORE necessary viewing (but: I suppose you can't separate the two, outright. You need to see both for each to fulfill the other, more totally and relevantly.)!!] The casting and "bit" roles in this production are: MASSIVE (and quite "insane," and special!, in themselves) (especially: 48 (soon to be 50!) years after-the-fact!)!!. To begin with: Since casting took place in 1975 and shooting started in 1976, but took OVER a year (due to MULTITUDES of (too many) "issues," including: filming being curtailed due to a typhoon (which wrecked sets and gear) which came through in the Philippines, in 1976 (most of the footage was shot in The Philippines);Martin Sheen having a heart attack (ON-set!) and recasting the main role after a month of filming had, already, been done. The initial lead that Coppola wanted was: Steve McQueen. When McQueen turned it down, he went with Harvey Keitel ...who shot for just over a month, but, then:: Coppola realized: "he wasn't getting what he needed (or wanted)" and canned Keitel [canning all the shot footage!] and, ended-up acquiring Martin Sheen. Sheen's first scene (in the hotel room in Saigon), was shot on his 36th birthday.. Sheen was highly intoxicated and did, actually, cut his hand by breaking the mirror (that punch was not "scripted!!")!! ...Essentially: everyone felt they went/were going "a little bit crazy" (or more!) on set, MOST of all: Francis Ford Coppola, himself!! Harrison Ford shot Apocalypse Now BEFORE he shot Star Wars!!!! Yes! Although Star Wars was released in 1977 and Apocalypse Now in 1979, Apocalypse Now shot in 1976 (into '77!). Ford had worked with Lucas and Coppola, already. American Graffiti, The Conversation (I think there was one other role, I am forgetting, right now ---apologies!) ...but, he was, effectively, "an unknown" when he shot his scenes for: Apocalypse Now, However: by the time it was released in theatres (due to the extent of editing and all of the additional shooting weeks!), he was, already, "a movie star," because of: Star Wars (almost 2 years earlier, by that point!)! Yep! ...Apparently, Harrison was so nervous on the day of shooting (for: Apocalypse Now), that: Coppola included his nervousness/"fidgetiness" as part of his character profile! You will notice that: Ford's character drops the Kurtz file, while handing it to Sheen's Willard. This was something Coppola decided, on-the-spot, to do. ...and it adds a new layer to Ford's character (but came out of actual behavior and emotion, on-set!). Oh! Great catch on the (unintentional) Coppola "cameo" as the: news film cameraman, in the village! That IS, indeed, him! Larry [Laurence] Fishburne's casting is ANOTHER amazing story! Fishburne was 15 when he was cast as "Clean"!! (and Fishburne DOES, actually, hail from The Bronx!) --- Apparently he lied and said he was 🤷🤷 (I forget, now) 16 ?? ...or 18 (whatever he needed to be, at the time)! He was 15-16 when they shot and 18 when the film came out in theatres!!! 😆😆 - This was Fishburne's first "larger role." He had appeared on TV and in theatre, in N.Y.C. and had had a small role in the film: Cornbread, Earl & Me ...but Apocalypse Now put him amnion "the major players," for the first time. (Nowadays, he is, of course, legendary. as: "Morpheus".). There are many well-known character actors in roles in this film, as well. ...One of the more unfairly "ignored," I always felt, is: "Chef" played by: Frederic Forrest. [Personally, I recall him, most from playing the "Captain/"head-of-station"/"-unit"; on: the early seasons (well, at least the first season 🤷) of: 21 Jump Street [the TV show from the late '80s/early '90s] [That character was, of course, replaced by: actor Steven Williams' character, in later seasons, but....🤷] Forrest has played numerous character roles over the decades, though. The guy who delivers mail to the boat (and is, very, very briefly, seen), may look familiar!: It is Christopher Walken's younger brother: Glenn Walken (also an actor. Mainly stage)! I, also, find this intriguing as: essentially: Christoper Walken and Laurence Fishburne made their primary breakthroughs (began to rise in stature on the acting scene, for real) in a small, not-that-well-received, in theatres (but became well-known and reputed on the rental market, afterwards!) movie, from 1990, called: King Of New York. King Of N.Y. was, also, kind-of, (director) Abel Ferrara's "breakthrough" film. A lurid, N.Y.-based sleaze-drama, with plenty of neo-noir imagery (which, also, featured plenty of actors who would soon make names for themselves: Giancarlo Esposito (already known from his work with Spike Lee, at this point, I think🤷), Steve Buscemi; David Caruso (soon to make a major break on the TV Police drama: N.Y.P.D. Blue (which he would leave, less than a year later and not return to TV for almost a decade, until he took the lead role on: C.S.I. Miami and became a solidified star, again. -after failing to become a box-office lead.). [Caruso featured in small roles in a number of early-'80s productions, such as: First Blood (with Sly Stallone) [Caruso plays the one cop who "hesitates" in and questions abusing Rambo, after he's (illegally) arrested] and in Richard Gere and Louis Gosset's "star making" turn in: Officer And A Gentleman (Caruso plays another recruit in Mayo's class).] ...
...anyhow: I found it intriguing that Fishburne and Christopher Walken's brother, both, had roles in Coppola's Apocalypse Now and, then, over a decade later, Fishburne (again) and Walken's older brother: Christopher, sort-of, both had their "push into the higher degrees of notice" via Ferrara's King Of New York. 🤷🤷 There is, also, a tiny role played by R. Lee Ermey; the man who, later, became famous for portraying: drill instructor "Gunnery Sgt. Hartman" in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam war epic: Full Metal Jacket. Ermey portrays a helicopter pilot (in the "Ride Of the Valkyries" assault sequence [It IS "Ride..." ...not "flight." Valkyries ride horses. Ones with wings, yes ...but horses, nevertheless. The correct work title is "Ride Of The Valkyries" (just in case you get into a "Wagner competition, "somewhere. 😛😛).].). ...I forget if Ermey is, even, shown in the theatrical release (which is what you watched, here). As I recall, his face does get shown in the "Apocalypse Now: Redux" extended edit.🤷 --I, also, wanted to try to explain, some of the reasons that I understand WHY that travesty on the boat stopped by the "PBR Streetgang" 's crew occurs (the slaughter of the family with the animals and the puppy😭😭). In Vietnam, the soldiers encountered conditions that U.S. soldiers had NEVER experienced, prior/didn't understand or know existed ...and:: these, developed into: fear and "snap defensive response," upon EVERY encounter, for a vast majority of soldiers. [Naturally: the conditions of war tend to make people: as inhumane as imaginable, as well, so: there were instances of , simply, that, as well, bit....]. When the U.S.entered Vietnam, the French had been at war to regain their occupied territory, since 1946 (after having had to getr out of it, during W.W. II) and had been forced out of North Vietnam circa 1954. The N. Vietnamese State was, then, established as a communist nation (backed by communist china and russia) and South Vietnam was a (supposedly) "democratic-leaning" state (although: mistakenly/ludicrously, the S. Vietnamese government (after "the first Indochina war" (from 1946-1954, as previously mentioned)) had been formed out of: French-loyalist Vietnamese oligarchs, who, were uninterested in the general welfare of the people (or, at least: often blind to it).] U.S. forces were, first installed in: 1963 (there had been advisory unites and personnel there, prior to that, but no combat troops). The U.S. withdrew all troops in 1973 (although most were gone by 1972, already). [For a better, more incisive (and precise) overview, I recommend viewing Ken Burns' documentary series:: The Viet-Nam War. It delves into serious detail on EVERY aspect of U.S. involvement. (Also: just be aware: war did NOT stop after the U.S. withdrew. There was open warfare through the early 1990s, in various regions. -Including warfare between: Vietnam and Cambodia and between Vietnam and China!)] --Apologies: it seems I became "distracted" by what seemed (at least) "a necessary overview," but does not focus on the aspects I was about to delve into or had wanted to address/(attempt to) describe. So: after the anti-French conflict ended in 1954, there were still plenty of families who had people in, both, the North and the South ...and the war had devastated the country. ...Essentially, open movement from either part of the country (which had, just, reestablished its name and borders (after decades of French occupation, as well!) which created ...well, let's just say: "problems." 🙄🙄 ...when the U.S. "showed-up," they were convinced that: there was a clear enemy ...and certain allies. [Also: it would behoove one to remember: that the U.S. had, not long ago (about a decade before, lost a severe and incomprehensible war (actually: it "got put on 'hold" 🙄🤦" ...and still is, TODAY ! [...because: china inserted itself and its forces into combat and annihilated a huge amount of troops and civilians/. ...but "On the ground," this, essentially, did not appear to be the case. ...It was in certain places and at certain times, but: American soldiers could not parse out: when or where, really. The, so-called, "Ho-Chi-Minh trail" was operating, allowing North Vietnamese troops to bring in arms, rations and fighters from the North. There were also the guerilla fighters of the Viet-Cong. The Viet-Cong (or: "V.C." for short) didn't have an, acknowledged, centralized command or similar. Most of them declared loyalty to the Viet-Minh (the former group responsible for defeating the French in Vietnam, essentially), but: also: not "as a rule." ...SO: there were at least 2 armed groups (which weren't explained, or explicitly defined or described, to soldiers or combatants --- also: because tit was difficult to define : who belonged to each group and what their overall goals might be🤷🤷). The N.V.A. was the North Vietnamese Army. They were the official troops on the ground, fighting against the South Vietnamese. The V.C. [Viet-Cong} were a looser group of guerillas (or terrorists, to most non-Vietnamese combatants) and had, not only, soldiers/combatants in the forests, but: operatives and assistants in villages and cities, etc. They were not controlled by the N.V.A., directly, but, also; assisted them. "Charlie" was using the N.A.T.O. (or, just: military) phonetic alphabet to refer to the "Con:g" in "Viet-Cong." "V.C." "Victor Charlie." "Charlie" for short, but very rapidly, "Charlie" just became an overall term for: opposing (suspected or actual) Asian combats, overall. The S. Vietnamese government, had, also, "relocated" citizens, to protect them. They forced individuals and families, to build "fortress-like" outposts, surrounded by walls and external defenses. ...After which: it was discovered that:the V.C. would bun down entire such enclaves (including: The Elderly, Women, Children, Animals, Pets, Men (of course), etc.), especially, because many were made of wood and /or bamboo. ...in addition to those: some of the enclaves had hidden V.C. operatives (who, either: forced or "allowed" to escape, the villagers cordoned into such protected areas. ...Leading to: fear, disappointment and overall mistrust and wavering misunderstanding of/confusion regarding: who was causing/creating damage, betrayal, et al. and who was "doing good" (depending on one's: randomized occurrences and/or: one's personal allegiances and support for an ideology or a family/family members.). Primarily, though: for the South Vietnamese and the individuals trying to fight on their behalf. Given all of these things (and more, yet), it felt "impossible" to "tell friend from foe" in a LOT of situations, for U.S soldiers )and I am sure for many, many others, as well)). Given this constant vigilance demanded (because of this!) and: the possibility of unexpected operatives/soldiers/betrayal/ambush/etc. ...Every encounter with a stranger (or somoen who wasn't known very well to you--and, ofttimes: even THEM!) became: a possible assassination attempt or attack. Not necessarily, just POTENTIALLY!...
...SO, with all of that implanted in your mind: a young cat from The Bronx, like "Clean" [and, I always questioned, logistically, if he COULD, legitimately, BE 17 (and serving!). I, absolutely don't know all of the rules (or the possible:"sideways turns" to things and rules!), but: as I understood it, they COULDN'T conscript ("draft") you before your 18th birthday, at all! 🤷🤷 I don't know if:an underage volunteer could receive parental permission and become a soldier, or not. 🤷 ...it does seem potentially possible, but...🤷🤷], would have all of the uncertainty (and brashness!) of youth. A more nervous temperament (arguably). ...Would be concerned-to-death about the health of his crewmates. and, within such a questionable situation ("questionable" simply by the nature of things and the possibility that: every encounter puts you in "a, possible, kill zone," unexpectedly! 😡😭😢) ...that: "Clean,"certainly,would potentially "freak out: and "jump the gun." He, obviously, yes: thought that the woman might be going for a weapon ...however: his fear created the inability to see these people as ...what they were: "just a family, making their way along the river" and unable to understand why this military patrol boat had stopped them and come aboard their vessel! the woman was afraid and nervous and wanted to protect her little pup (or, maybe, show them what he was 🤷). ...but the inability to define: what may be happening, what the intentions of the persons on the other boat were (due to the information I resented above and knowledge of that and expectation of: danger, without warning or reason!-or, possibly: prior experiences! 🤷🤷🤷), led to an unnecessary release of fire (because of "Clean" being jumoy!) ...had he not -although the PBR crew were, really, "rousting" the boat, they may, well, have discovered that there was noting untoward on-board and, then, been on their way (leaving, only: the rudeness of the American as a bad taste in the mouths of the encountered individuals. Not death. ...but: it went WAY worse. PLEASE: in NO way read, or misunderstand, ANY of that as: "an excuse"/"an attempt at excuse" for, or "a defense" of: the actions or choices of the PBR Streetgang and the soldiers within it! It was never intended that way and WILL NOT be that! ...however: I wanted to express that: as disturbing, heartbreaking and disgusting as that was ...in fact, it could be anticipated and had an expectation attached to its occurrence (and, sadly and despicably, likely: was more common an occurrence than not! 🤷🤬🤦). It;s in NOW way "right" ...but:it demonstrates the utter confusion, chaos and momentary "decision"-messes which happened over there ...out of a sense of necessity -which it, certainly, sometimes WAS!- (and: "I'm not gonna die. If somebody's gonna die, YOU'RE gonna be that person, chump!"). Recall, also (as I explained above, somewhere) that: as we travel further up the river, we are, also, traveling further into "the psyche," the depths & "weeds" (etc.) of: consciousness, individual persona and its weaknesses and shortcomings, etc.! ...so that: at THIS point in the story, we aren't THAT far, yet ...HOWEVER: the struggle and question and darkness of: fear, uncertainty, powerlessness, fear of death, "me or you," an inconsideration for anything but one's individual needs and considerations, etc. ...These are, all, I think: showing-up, here (and starting to show us: "a further descent," as well 🤷🤷)., ...Just my "sidereal" (perhaps) assessment.... 🤷 -One, final, additional; thing (more lighthearted and so on!): There is another "cameo" (of sorts) that, unless you knew the time, or lived through it, you, probably, wouldn't know. [I only recognized the man, later, myself, accuse I have always been a huge music maven {fan) and read a great deal on the history of music, in general!] At the "Bunny showcase" on the river (or whatever they call it🤷🤦), the announcer who brings out the talent is, actually, famed concert promoter (and the manager and driving force behind such legendary '60s music venues as: The Fillmore Auditorium (a.k.a.: 'The Fillmore West'), The Fillmore East and The Winterland (etc.!)-): Bill Graham. One of the most important (if not THE most important!) Rock 'n' Roll music promoters and venue 'establishers' (NOT an actual word🤦, but... I'm using it, here, anyway!😛😛) in history! [By the time Apocalypse Now was being shot, he had closed his venues (or passed their management duties on) and retired from the business (temporarily). ...So, yeah: that's, actually, the famed: Bill Graham! -------I feel as if I haven't, fully, covered everything I had intended to say, yet (but: perhaps, I am, also, wrong 🤷🤷😛). ...I'd say it has to be pretty close -- and: if I find I need to, ...I shall return (reference to ANOTHER war, entirely. 😝😜). Again: I am pleased you got to see this and understood it, so well, "off-the-bat." I (once again!) EXTREMELY highly recommend: watching Eleanor Coppola's documentary on the making of this film: Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (as well as seeing some of the bonus footage --- likely, best understood through viewing: Apocalypse Now: Redux. [ 🤷🤷🤔]. All the best! 🤘🤘
I love your passion and knowledge for films. Way beyond what I would expect. And in terms of knowledge and observation of what you are watching, definitely above the average youtube reaction. By a lot. Wonderful. Thank you. Have a sub. :) Blessings
Let's see what happens ;)
Check out the Redux version
@@geraldbatts575 yep, maybe later in the year + hearts of darkness
didn't notice Lawrence Fishburn?
If you want to see Harrison Ford really young, you need to watch American Graffiti. That is a classic film from 1973.
Oh yeah, the 17 year old sailor is Laurence Fishburne.
"You're neither. You're a errand boy sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill."
One of the BEST lines in history, delivered by one of the BEST actors in history, shot by one of the BEST directors in history. Every time I see that moment, I get chills. It's SO GOOD.
yeah man, great cinema is something else.
In 1979 I had to pick my "favorite film" for the senior yearbook - and I chose this film. Nearly everyone else chose Animal House....and today, I feel vindicated! =)
The transition from the helicopters to ceiling fan is one of the best transitions ever
And his yelling in the shower to the helicopter!
I was in Saigon in a room identical to the room with the ceiling fan including the view from the blinds. Seriously brought me back into 1964 - 1966
And even better from the helicopter sound to the traffic sound!
Its a strait homage to Kubrik's jump cut from the thrown bone to the spaceship. Thats the best cut ever...
"They were going to make me a Major for this...and I wasn't even in their fucking army anymore"
Martin Sheen actually punched the mirror and cut his hand was bleeding and they continued to shoot… epic filmmaking
IIRC he was also drunk or on drugs for real.
He was in alcoholic despair when that happened, I think he’s saying my heart is broken when he’s crying
From what I've read and in the documentary, Sheen was drunk in the room during that scene, exorcising some emotional demons, and Coppola was egging him on, saying things like, "Your wife is going to leave you." Sheen also had a heart attack during filming. He was not in a healthy place, physically or mentally, in those days.
@@Calamity_Jack Not only was Sheen drunk and releasing emotional "baggage" (egged-on by Francis), that "Saigon hotel room" scene was, also, shot on Martin's 36th Birthday!
(and he was, yes: quite inebriated, "for reals!")
(and, if I'm not mistaken: that may well have been his FIRST day on set - after the releasing of Keitel and acquisition of Sheen as the lead!)
Martin Sheen also had a heart attack during filming. And he was only in his 30s. This movie took him to a dark place. Peak method acting. Every performance is absolutely exceptional.
I was at the premiere of this film back in 1979. WOW is the exact words I used at the end of the film. The audience was in shocked silence. In those day the public could buy tickets to premieres and I went to some of the biggest ones. I was with 10 friends and we stared at each other. The first thing I did was find out where Coppola was and made a beeline to him. The place was in total silence as people left. I was able to walk into the row in front of him and stopped to face him. I leaned over and put out my hand and said "Thank you for one of the greatest movies I've ever seen!"
He took my hand in what seemed like relief and smiled up at me and said "Thank You." For some reason that seemed to give the crowd the okay to talk again and as they went by him and say various versions of "great movie". It is still one of my favorite films in all versions (yes, there are different versions -but this is still the best). You have given one of the best reactions I've ever seen to a movie. I love that you know who everyone is and how movies are made. Thanks for a great afternoon spent reliving my journey into Coppola's Heart Of Darkness.
Not only it's an amazing film at face value, it's symbolism is outstanding. The deeper Martin Sheen gets into the jungle, the deeper he enters his own mind, and the crazier and more primal the things he encounters. Until he meets Brando, a war demon inside his own mind. And he can only return home after he puts down that demon. It's the most fascinating film I've seen about war.
"We train young men to drop fire on their enemies, but their commanders scold them for writing 'fuck' on their airplanes because it's obscene."
Eve of Destruction, 1965 protest song.
th-cam.com/video/qfZVu0alU0I/w-d-xo.html
We train AI unmanned drones to drop fire on the enemies, but TH-cam AI scolds us for writing "fuck" in the comments
Hi Coby now that you've watched one of my favorite Vietnam films you have to watch two of my other favorites if you already haven't, Full Metal Jacket and Platoon.. then we can rank which ones are better 🤟
@@NoName-yx1uxFull Metal Jacket by miles. Platoon was a mess!
@@danielschaeffer1294
Full Metal was awesome but Platoon was my favorite, maybe bcuz I'm a big fan of Willem Defoe and Keith David but I get you Full Metal was flawless
The GOAT of movies. So gorgeous. A masterpiece of filmmaking. They will never make movies like this again.
It was good to see the old "PBR" River Boats again. Hard to believe that it was almost 55 years ago for those of us who served there. River Division 593, 1970- 1972.
Welcome home
@@Anonymous-ff5wr Thank You Brother. But did we really ever come home. Home wasn't home anymore. I stayed in the Navy for 30+ years and that was my new home. The movie was an OK fun watch but had flaws. It felt like another Hollywood anti war film of the time. However, it did touch on some very real events. There was a real person that was much like the Fictional character of Col. Kurtz. His name was Anthony Poshepny (Tony Poe) he operated much like the fictional character in the movie during that conflict. He's an interesting read. If anyone is interested in the Navy's river boat operations "TF-116" Mobile Riverine Force look up "scramble the sea wolfs" documentary. It tells the story about us and the unknown war that went on in the Mekong River Delta. Thanks again, Senior
I'll bet finding one in working condition today would be the same as finding a Nun in a whorehouse.
the scenes with Harrison Ford were filmed in 1976, in total they spent 16 months (overcoming many difficulties) shooting the movie finishing in August 1977. First release was for the Cannes Film Festival in May 1979, worldwide later that year.
Thank you! Never knew it was filmed before Star Wars.
marlon brando is the anchor of pop culture between the golden age of hollywood in the 40s and 50s to the post-modern brilliance of the 70s with pacino, de niro, and company... he's the father to those.
the same message carried on by his disciples... the godfather and apocalypse now are metaphors for the passing of the torch and the progression of the culture... james dean couldn't do it, not borgart, or gable, or anyone... only brando could carry on the zeitgeist.
in the midst of hd colour cameras, punk rock, and a bandana wearing dennis hopper... there's a bald marlon brando...
Remember ... old school classic special effects. Has raw real, hand made feel, like many of the classic films of the past. Real helicopters, jets, tanks, real locations, actual explosions ... NO digital CGI, no green screen, or dizzying excessive quick edits/cuts.
Oh, and REAL cows. Don’t forget the cows.
Also Martin Sheen actually wounded himself in the opening scene, the blood is real.
Yes. All that. And it's a WAR movie.
Nightmare producstion. True suffering for your art.
@@MarkSleper chop
And REAL war. Francis Ford Coppola filmed this movie right in the middle of the civil war going on in the Philippines.
Coby, the actor playing the emcee of the Playboy Playmate show for the troops was Bill Graham. He was arguably the greatest concert promoter in music history, from the mid-sixties until his untimely passing in a helicopter crash in Oct 1991. He ran two of the most important music venues in modern music history, Fillmore East in NYC and Fillmore West in San Francisco, from 1968-71.
I was waiting to see if you would recognize Lawrence Fishburne, that look was worth the wait.
"Has he been in it the whole time?!" fantastic...
Took a minute, but she got him !!!!
This woman....no words. Pure beauty.
You know all these older actors, I’m impressed.
I kinda get that reactors want to flex how knowledgeable they are, many reactors do that. But making it a "recognize-the-actor" game kinda keeps pulling you out of the story. When I personally watch I just try to ignore that I've seen Harrison Ford as space smuggler, archeologist, CIA agent, undercover cop, Russian submarine captain, wrongly convicted doctor, cyberpunk bounty hunter and president of the USA. And rather just try to believe that he's some random nervous military guy who drops his papers
@@shredd5705 Precisely, she has seen 2 of Robert Duvall's roles and acts like she has known his work forever. I wait for the day these channels realize when you DO know cinema there are none of these childish reactions. The festive mood over the "Napalm" quote is so vacuous and silly, would guess she has no clue about the consequences of that bright colour.
I think you guys need to take a chill pill or 3.
@@shredd5705The issue is, if they don’t show any recognition the comments are filled with shitty messages about how
‘dumb the reactors are, not to recognize so & so in this film and did you know they were in such & such film, which YOU reacted to a year & a half ago & you don’t even recognize them. I’m unsubscribing!’
I’ve seen this hundreds of times. I think the easiest way to deal with it is to just say, “oh hey, Harrison Ford, cool,” otherwise it becomes too much & reactors end up missing dialogue while talking about other movies the actor they recognized was in..
@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 You have a point I guess. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. But maybe better not make it into a scene idk. Like you said, better to quickly return to the storyline at hand
It was a water buffalo and it was real. The animal was part of the compensation paid to the locals who appeared in the film, and the way they killed it by ritual sacrifice was how they did it. He just filmed it after seeing how they did it the first time off camera.
The water buffalo was real.
BBQ for the staff 🤣
I have read that the film crew was allowed to film a ritual of a local tribe. The buffalo was real but not killed for the movie but for food. They just happened to film it and cut it into the scene.
@@CRVideoTutorials
Well, sort of correct. The Ifugao tribe, on whose land much of Apocalypse Now was filmed, frequently traded for animals with the film producers , for slaughter for food, chickens, pigs, etc. That was a big part of their compensation for the land use.
Two water buffalo were also promised to them.
Eleanor Coppola, Francis' wife and a documentary filmmaker herself, watched and filmed the Ifugao tribe's first water buffalo sacrifice. So Coppola decided to film the second one for the film. He did not direct them at all and those were the real tribe members doing their ritual. he decided to film the second slaughter, for the final scenes of the movie.
@@USCFlash Very interesting - thanks for the info! 🙂
@@CRVideoTutorials
my pleasure. I'd recommend the documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now.
"Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse"
Your excitement in cinema is childlike awe and wonder! I feel young again. Keep it up. Lovely channel.
Thank you so much!
I've never seen a woman who appreciates this movie this much. I think I'm in love. :)
Pick a number. She is pretty spectacular. I'd marry her at 1st meeting.
Hashtag same
Take a number and get into the line ;)
thank you !!!
@@criminalcontent This film was inspired by the books _Heart Of Darkness_ & _Dispatches_ - mainly.
Colonel Kurtz really existed and some of his exploits were more outrageous than the film portrays!
I "got out of the boat" as a 19 yr. old door gunner in 1969. Coby/Colby. Love it!
🤣 @ 22:48 - I think 100% of reactors recognize Harrison Ford, but maybe only 20% recognize Laurence Fishburne. 🤣
When he says that he is 17. he was actually 15 Years old. .. Lied his way threw the casting
@@ozmaile793814 actually but he also suspected that some of them knew that he wasn’t as old as he said he was.
@@mohammedashian8094they trafficked him
Check out Harrison's name
0.01% Scott Glenn as Colby
Your enthusiastic reactions are fantastic. Fun to watch along with you . 😊
I can't hear "The Ride of the Valkeries" without hearing, "kill da wabbit, kill da wabbit." In Elmer Fudd's voice. Over and over.
Also with you on this, but all due respect, the Looney Tunes were taking massive inspiration from people like Spike Jones and the City Slickers when they started to use high-brow music for lower-brow humor. If you've never heard the Spike Jones version of "The Nutcracker", I'd highly recommend it, and don't listen to the short version either.
Spike Jones even has a few famous tunes that were considered suitable for cartoons of their own, including "Der Fuhrer's Face" which was animated by Disney.
I think the title is "The March of the Valkeries."
I think she’s too young to get the reference
ABSOLUTELY LOVED YOUR REACTIONS!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!
Thank you so much!!
The movie is far deeper than the majority of people realize, it taps into primal myth. In many ancient cultures, the king was believed to be responsible for the fertility and prosperity of the land. When his power waned, he had to be replaced through ritual sacrifice, so that the land would not grow ill along with the old king, but be reborn in blood by the hand of the new one. The concept in general is not unknown to even our western cultures, even when the sacrifice was a thing long forgotten. "You and the land are one. Drink." --Perceval to King Arthur. The movie is about the death of the old order and the potential for rebirth. Willard, importantly, does not follow in Kurtz' footsteps. This myth is discussed at length in The Golden Bough, a book Kurtz owns.
He also has a copy of From Ritual to Romance, about the history of the myth of the Fisher King, who is also the Grail King, which is the same archetype you're referring to.
You two fellas have the intellect of giants. I'd love to seat at a cafe esplanade having a chat with you guys woth some beers. Salutations
And when I was 15 and saw this movie when it came out, I somehow sensed all this. Even if I (obviously) didn't know it intellectually, the ideas were communicated. Apocalypse Now opened up the sense of infinite mystery and the pre-history of man and his "heart of darkness." I didn't know the myth texts, etc. But the film showed me how deep the human experience is and was. You're so correct. (And the film led me to The Golden Bough, too.)
@@markdodson6453I saw this with my dad in the theater when I was 11 & had a similar experience. While I couldn’t verbalize it at that age, I understood much of it at an almost genetic level. My young mind just absorbed the mythic aspects of it all.
I didn’t watch this film again till I was around 22-23 & I was surprised how much I remembered & how little what I originally felt had changed. Even seeing it at 56, I’m pretty impressed with how quick my 11 year old self was at picking out this film’s overarching themes.
Such a great film. As for the reaction, this was THE BEST REACTION from you, and I have seen many. You never disappoint. Thank you once again. Enjoy your day.
many thanks !!
Coppola's wife Eleanor Coppola co-directed the documentary "Heart of Darkness" (1991) which was the making of Apocalypse Now. I highly recommend it, because what everyone went through making the movie. I won't give anything away but it was just as intense as the movie.
absolutely
Heart of Darkness is the Joseph Conrad novel which is basically a critique of European colonialism in Africa where the Kurtz character is an ivory trader. It's what this movie is based on.
@@criminalcontent Absolutely! Yours was a great reaction, and I think you'll dig the documentary.
It's practically required viewing. It was a multi-year process with unbelievable issues for Coppola. Great doc.
Coppola lost his mind, making this one. Definitely see Heart of Darkness and find out what they'd originally planned for the third act.
Outstanding, Coby! You made me feel I was going through the jungle with you. Your emotional roller coaster added to the the drama
Great reaction Coby. I highly recommend The Great Santini you being a Robert Duvall fan. Great movie.
29:22 "NOT ACID BOY" 😅😂 OMGD 😂
“IT’S ROBERT DUVALL!” 😂😂😂
I think I'm crushing! Lol. I enjoy your reactions so much! You are so observant. You don't miss anything. I love how you're quickly able to recognize actors. Your laugh is so genuine and you seem to truly enjoy watching these films. I look forward to your videos.
😊 thank you !!
"My film is not a movie. It's not about Vietnam. It is Vietnam. It's what it was really like it was crazy.
And the way we made this film is very much like the way the Americans were in Vietnam. We were in the jungle. There were too many of us. We had access to too much money. Too much equipment. And little by little we went insane."
-Francis Ford Coppola
1979 at the Cannes Film Festival
during the premiere of
Apocalypse Now
Robert freaking Duvall, what a great actor. His facial expressions, his slight head nod and shake when he delivers certain lines and also the pauses he gives.
When editing the opening sequence, editor Walter Murch was listening to the Doors’ “The End”, and he realized it actually fit the scene!
Coppola thought it would be funny to begin with The End
I also read that they didn't even really consult the band to use the song. Obviously Jim Morrison was dead by this movies release but when the other band mate, I think Robbie Krieger, saw the movie, he was surprised to hear the song play in the beginning.
It also helped launch The Doors revival at the end of the seventies
@@dubuggaAbsolutely not, sorry. In fact, the production had purchased the rights to the entire Doors catalog, and if the surviving members were surprised by anything it was that only “The End” wound up getting used in the film. (Writer John Milius preferred “Light My Fire,” but Coppola thought the lyrics were too on the nose, and I think he definitely made the right call.)
Morrison and Coppola attended the UCLA film school at the same time, and vaguely knew each other.
@@konowd much like Doors themselves did at one of their concerts
Your reaction to the music playing during the beach front attack is terrific!
"Apocalypse Now" is a 1979 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which is loosely based on the novella "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. The film is set during the Vietnam War, while the novella is set in the Congo Free State during the late 19th century. The movie and the book share themes of the darkness within human nature and the effects of imperialism and war. Here's a comparison and analysis of how "Apocalypse Now" draws from "Heart of Darkness":
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
Plot Summary:
Protagonist: Charles Marlow, a sailor, is hired by a Belgian trading company to travel up the Congo River to find Kurtz, an ivory trader who has gone rogue.
Journey: Marlow travels deeper into the African jungle, encountering brutal colonial exploitation and witnessing the darkness within humanity.
Kurtz: Kurtz is revered by the natives as a god-like figure but has succumbed to madness and moral corruption. Marlow eventually finds Kurtz, who is ill and nearing death. Kurtz’s final words, “The horror! The horror!” reflect his realization of the atrocities and moral degradation he has experienced and perpetrated.
"Apocalypse Now" (1979)
Plot Summary:
Protagonist: Captain Benjamin Willard, a disillusioned soldier, is assigned to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, a rogue officer who has set himself up as a demigod among a local tribe in Cambodia.
Journey: Willard travels up the Nung River, witnessing the chaos and horrors of the Vietnam War. The journey exposes the madness and moral ambiguity of the conflict.
Kurtz: Colonel Kurtz is portrayed as a once-idealistic soldier who has gone insane. He commands a private army and engages in brutal, ritualistic practices. Willard confronts Kurtz, who, like in the novella, has become a symbol of the darkness within humanity. Kurtz’s final words, “The horror... the horror...” mirror those of Conrad’s Kurtz, encapsulating the central theme of human depravity.
Themes and Analysis
1. Darkness Within Humanity:
Both works explore the darkness that resides within humans, especially when removed from the constraints of civilization.
In "Heart of Darkness," the jungle symbolizes the unknown and the subconscious, where civilized men can revert to primal instincts.
In "Apocalypse Now," the chaos of the Vietnam War acts as a backdrop where moral boundaries are blurred, and the true nature of individuals is revealed.
2. Imperialism and Colonialism:
"Heart of Darkness" critiques European colonialism and its dehumanizing effects on both the colonizers and the colonized.
"Apocalypse Now" translates this critique to the context of American intervention in Vietnam, highlighting the absurdity and brutality of war.
3. Madness:
Kurtz’s descent into madness is central to both works. His madness is a result of his realization of the inherent evil within humanity and the futility of his endeavors.
Both Marlow and Willard undergo personal transformations as they grapple with the reality of Kurtz’s madness and the horrors they witness.
Adaptation Differences
1. Setting:
The novella is set in the Congo during the height of European colonialism.
The film is set during the Vietnam War, reflecting contemporary issues of the 1970s.
2. Protagonist’s Role:
Marlow is a somewhat passive observer, while Willard is an active participant, tasked with assassinating Kurtz.
3. Narrative Style:
"Heart of Darkness" is a frame narrative, with Marlow recounting his story to friends aboard a boat on the Thames.
"Apocalypse Now" uses a more straightforward narrative, focusing on Willard’s mission.
4. Themes:
While the core themes remain the same, "Apocalypse Now" also delves into the specific context of the Vietnam War, questioning American intervention and military strategy.
Conclusion
"Apocalypse Now" successfully translates the essence of Joseph Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness" to a new setting and era. By doing so, it preserves the exploration of human nature, madness, and the critique of imperialism, while also addressing the unique horrors of the Vietnam War. The film stands as a powerful adaptation, bringing the timeless themes of the novella to a contemporary audience.
Fun fact: Joseph Conrad was Polish, his full name was Jozef Konrad Korzeniowski, he was himself a sea captain and was speaking English with a thick Polish accent. But he learned to write in English and became a writter.
Also drew on John Paul Vann's life a lot.
Well done. Amazing reaction to the whole film. Really cool!
The scene with the buffalo was real. The local tribe who were acting as extras for the movie were sacrificing it for a religious ritual, and they let Coppola film it.
The story about the VC chopping off the Vietnamese kids' inncoulated arms was real too. I used to talk to a Vietnam vet online who saw it with his own eyes. He had PTSD so he hadn't watched any Vietnam War films for obvious reasons. When he told the story, and people told him that Kurtz tells it in Apocalypse Now, he did some digging and discovered that a guy from his old unit was a technical advisor on the film.
I thought that was taken from Michael Herr's book Dispatches.
@@Elsupermayan8870 Nothing like that was in "Dispatches" that I remember. But Michael Herr did advise on the production and the script.
@@alecfoster4413
I know that his book has been used for a few scenes in war movies.
Maybe it was the scene where the VC was holding his guts in with the pot lid.
When I came into the service in the 80s we still had a lot of Platoon Sergeants and senior officers that were Vietnam vets. What was interesting was that when I brought up AN (my favorite film) the ones that served in the early years of the war insisted “Oh, those sorts of things NEVER happened,” referring to the water-skiing or Supply Sergeants selling dope… but the ones that served in the later years, when discipline began breaking down, would say “Oh that stuff happened ALL the time.” One described the Red Cross ladies delivering doughnuts (“Doughnut Dollies”) during an evening firefight when the base was being assaulted. That’s the nicest story I can tell
The appreciation of all that went into the making of this film is so enjoyable. The empathy you bring adds to the viewing experience. Always a pleasure.
37:39 "Do you know that 'if' is the middle word in life." I had never thought about that before watching this film. :)
"If" has and always will be the BIGGEST two letter word in human history.
This masterpiece can be summed up in one word: POWERFUL.
It is in every sense, in its symbolism, its message, the dialogues, the monologues, the script, the performances and the cast, TOTAL POWER.
Great reaction Miss Coby and by the way you missed recognizing Colby, Scott Glenn and R. Lee Ermey as one of the Kilgore's pilots.
Fun fact: Lawrence Fishburne was 14 win production started. So he was playing a character 3 years older than he actually was. The hand injury Sheen suffers in the hotel scene was real. He wasn't acting drunk, he was really drunk, and punching the mirror wasn't scripted or a breakaway prop. It was a real mirror and he really cut his hand when he punched it. Coppola decided to run with it, and the result is what you see. Finally, I totally approve of your choice in pants for this reaction.
The moment Willard throws the machete down the steps and everyone follows suit with their own weapons… the eerie music…. Him grabbing Lance and pulling him along…. It gets me every time!
One of the best films I’ve ever seen…. A masterpiece!
So glad you liked it!
Despite this movie haven’t come out until 1979, Harrison Ford actually did this before he was in Star Wars. His scene was shot in 1976, before he made Star Wars and just made American Graffiti and had a small role in The Conversation. Which is why he looks so young. Apocalypse Now took 16 months to shoot and over a year to get completed which is why it didn’t come out till 79. And ford by that point had made A New Hope which is why audiences were surprised he had such a small part in the film.
Just subscribed. Like you, I'm 40, and saw this film for the first time 6 months ago. Blown away. Couldn't believe I waited that long, but perhaps a good decision, with age adding to the appreciation.
thanks for the sub !
Young lady! You've earned yourself a subscribe with your reaction and grasp of this movie! My father was a Vietnam Vet. This was one of his favorite movies. I've seen it so many times that I couldn't begin to count. If I ever came across a woman that reacted and grasped this movie in the way that you have, she'd find me down on one knee by the ending credits. I want you to put your man on here, so that I can tell him just how lucky he is.
Just a heads up she’s 40 years old. She was born in 1984
Coby you are the best, love your reactions.👀🍿
Its actually the greatest antiwar film because it shows the psychological cost, consequences, and damage war can cause. Loved your reaction to this and i think its better you saw it later in your life having such a great knowledge of cinema, the industry' and all it entailes. Watch the documentary on how it was made to discover the events that Martin Sheen endured making it, including the scene of him cutting himself, having an actual psychological and emotional breakdown while Copolla let the camera continue rolling to capture this honest and beautiful moment of him coming to terms with his own personal reckoning of his life. Its the most incredible scene ever filmed.
Loved your reaction when recognizing Harrison Ford, Robert Duvall and Lawrence Fishburne…
Kilgore's "You smell that" line became a staple amongst my friends every time one of us farted. Childish, but hilarious, even to this day.
I've seen at least a dozen reactions to this movie and yours was the best hands down. You really "get it". Count me as new subscriber.
thank you !
I had been in training to become an Army Aviator in the 90s. The "cowboy hat" is actually a Stetson worn by members of the 1st Air Cavalry. They were a bunch of swashbucklers back then, stationed out in the middle of nowhere with lots and lots of action. As Sheen's character stated, "they traded their horses for choppers and went tear-assing around 'Nam". A good memoir to read about the Air Cav is "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. He wrote the book in 1980 about his tour as a helicopter pilot in the Air Cav in Vietnam. I read his book prior to reporting for active duty and it frightened the hell out of me. Harrison Ford, a big aviation enthusiast, at one time tried to have the book made into a screenplay for an eventual film.
Chickenhawk is a great read. Very gritty. I just finished Flying Through Midnight about spooks flying C-123s which was pretty good.
@@goodshipkaraboudjan I'll check that out.
@@avestuart You got me hunting for my copy of Chickenhawk and I found another great one on the shelf called "Shockwave" about the Aussies who modified their Hueys in Vietnam to be gunships by beg, borrowing and stealing stuff from Marines and the Army because they were desperate for a CAS capability. I'm a fixed wing pilot myself but did have a couple chances to take the controls of angry palm trees. Robert Mason nailed the analogy of trying to hover for the first time as standing on a greasy beach ball and juggling.
I was a kid in the 70s, so a little too young to get drafted.
And my dad was a little too old, he served almost exactly between Korea and Vietnam.
But all my buddies' dads?
They were coming back horribly scarred.
One dear friend's dad flew those choppers in the Air Cav but unknown division.
He would not discuss Vietnam.
He would not watch movies about it.
He could only pretend it never happened.
A very successful engineer, again like my dad.
I don't know what would've happened if he wasn't a Hawk missile guy.
I read all the Bat-21.
Better Times Than These.
Heart of Darkness.
All's Quiet on the Western Front.
The Red Badge of Courage.
I don't even want to think about it anymore.
@@series3113 just prior to reporting, I was at lunch with friend's dad and I told him that I had been selected to fly helicopters in the Army. He said, "friend of mine did that in Vietnam, he's about half nuts".
I was fucking frightened when I reported, lol
This movie came out in 79, which was 4 years after we left Vietnam in 75. The war was still very fresh, and this movie and Coppola beautifully captured the horror, grotesqueness, and insanity that was the Vietnam War!!!
"The Horror. the Horror."
The key to understanding this movie is that the opening sequence clearly establishes that Martin Sheen is insane. But you forget that, because he spends the rest of the movie around people who are progressively even more and more insane, so that he seems more and more normal.
This movie takes you through the whole gambit of emotions...coby you are soooo awesome for hanging with this whole movie
Glad you enjoyed it !
I'm sorry Coby but the cow (water buffalo) was real. It wasn't killed for the movie. As part of the production, Coppola pay with some animals to the tribe that live where the movie was filmed. It included two water buffalos. Once the tribe receive the first one, they slaughter it in this ritualistic way and Coppola decided to film the second sacrifice in order to add it to the movie end (as a documentary). So, the buffalo was destined to die this way with or without film. And yes, it is horrible.
it wasn't a real Water Buffalo. That would be cruel. It was actually a couple of extras dressed in a Water Buffalo costume that was sacrificed.
It isn't horrible. That's how the tribe has lived for who knows how long, that's their way of life. The buffalo probably had a better life and death than slaughter cows here in the West, and each bit of it was probably used without waste.
I just noticed your camo pants!!❤❤❤❤ awesome! 😂😂😂
Watch the movie "The Great Santini" Robert Duvall.
The Stetson hats are a throwback to the old Cavalry units of the 1800's. They traded their horses for choppers and went crazy in 'Nam.
🔥🔥🔥🔥 great reaction to a very iconic film! I believe this film was nominated for best Director and film, but I am not sure if it won either or
I take my hat off to you Coby. I'm a brat kid and my dad did time "incountry'. I did not like this movie when it was released, but the older I've become the more this movie represented what was an insane time. Well, now you've experienced it.
thank you !
Intelligent commentary. I remember spending a month surfing in PR then seeing this film a few months before I reported to Basic Training in 1980. Thought provoking film, though to be honest I already knew what I was getting into.
Great reaction! It is almost criminal that it didn’t win Best Picture that year (lost out to Kramer vs, Kramer 😝), and that Martin Sheen didn’t even get nominated for his performance. Fun fact: in the original theatre release (which I saw 3 times), Willard does call in the air strike at the end and as the credits roll you see explosions that bookend with the opening of the film. When the movie went to video, Coppola changed his mind on how it should end, thinking that Willard would have had enough of killing.
Thanks for this, I was sure I remembered the final conflagration…. Bad choice to drop it imho
It's still kind of there in this version. They just left it up to interpretation a bit more. Which I think fits the movie much better, as it maintains the mix of the real and the spiritual better.
My dad saw it in its original run and there were no credits of any kind : the theatre ushers handed out a small folded sheet with the credits printed on it. The version with the closing titles on arclight is the one I saw in theatres but it was a "revival" shown about 5 years later - I'm pretty confident in '84-85 (that decade gets progressively more fuzzy as I age and YOU KIDS get off my lawn!) There was another revival in '94 (the 25th anniversary) and I caught it in Toronto, HUGE screen with a kick-ass sound system. That one had no credits, as per the original run, and a printed program, which I still have somewhere.
For me it's CITIZEN KANE, 2001 : A SPACE ODYSSEY and this one for my top 3 of all time.
Yeah, Kramer vs Kramer. The Academy always picks the wrong movie.
@@EdDunkle
Not always. They definitely got it wrong that year.
God I’m so glad I watched that with you. It reminded me so much of when I first watched it. I was stunned how great it is. Btw Storaro is the DP, so, along with Coppola (and the landscape), that’s why it looks so beautiful.
It's easy to miss but the poem "The Wasteland" is in Kurtz's quarters. That poem and others were from a literary movement after WW1 that really showed the shift away from the idea of war as a glorious venture to one of senseless slaughter. I have watched a number of people reacting on YT, usually stopping after 1 video. You are really one of the best I have seen because you do have a good grasp of films and references along with intelligence to process what you are watching and it is very rare to see that. I look forward to your reactions to movies.
I second that. Coby got all the beats and was appropriately astonished by the filmmaking. Some reactors are just bored by movies that take the time to go where they need to go. Their loss.
Coby I loved your range of emotions on this one. I visited Vietnam solo in 2022. I skipped the big cities and went straight for the central highlands and coastal areas, riding a motorcycle with a guide from Da Nang to Hue through the Hai Van pass.
Along the way we passed the Phu Bai airport, fishing villages, along the foothills of the mountains and jungles on trails. Everywhere we went this movie was running in my mind, comparing the present to what I knew of the past. It was exhilarating and haunting at the same time.
I can't wait to go back and discover more.
Beef, it’s what’s for dinner, real buffalo real slaughter, real celebration by these people 😂✌️🇺🇸
Yes I was going to comment this. It was a ritualistic slaughter by the village who ate it afterwards.
If Robert Mitchum said so, it must be true.
Fantastic reaction Coby. 👏
thank you !
I've watched several first reaction episodes of people watching this movie, but they all seem to wonder what happens to the people after Willard leaves. In Kurtz's memoirs (that Willard takes with him), Kurtz writes in red "EXTERMINATE THEM ALL!" - so after Willard and Lance leave the area ... the encampment is destroyed by an airstrike while the movie credits play. I don't know if people are reacting to a re-edited version, but the original theater movie make this clear.
I love your reaction when you recognize Lawrence Fishburne ! This movie is a masterpiece. I remember the part when they meet the French colony, the french family living beside the river. Is this a shorter version? I don't know...I remember that part. But very good , I love your reaction. Greetings from a Spanish lonely man !
Harrison was busy in 1979, two others you may find interesting from that year with him "Heroes" with Henry Winkler and Sally Field and "Force 10 from Navarone". He was busy also filming our beloved "The Empire Strikes Back" It was a magical time to be a kid..❤
I LOVE YOUR EXCITED RESPONSES EVERY TIME A REAL FAMOUS MOVIE STAR APPEARS MAKES ME EXCITED”😁😆😂
Laurence Fishburne earned a supporting role in Apocalypse Now, in which he played Tyrone Miller, a cocky 17-year-old Gunner's Mate 3rd Class from the Bronx, nicknamed Mr. Clean. When production began in March 1976, he was just 14 years old, having lied about his age to get the part.
Morpheus! 🤙😎
Not only that, but he was so immature and naive at the time that he's quoted as having said he wanted to be part of the movie because Vietnam seemed like a fun war. Maybe that should have clued in Coppola that he was lying about his age.
@@dudermcdudeface367417-year olds are that immature too. That’s why recruiters target them.
Damn he was 14 during this movie? That's crazy!
You're one tough chick, Coby, I'm glad you made it through to the end. That movie leaves you feeling scarred for days afterwards.
I watched this in the theater on opening night, and was in a trance until the end. Speechless is an understatement. Supreme reaction Ms Coby... you recognized and appreciated the film for what it is. A classic.
I had that response after watching The Deer Hunter. I was dizzy for a week. It was so "real". I didn't have the same reaction to Apocalypse Now because it was so surreal, I was able to disengage easier.
Congratulations! You've just watched my favourite film of all time.
R. Lee Ermey is also in Apocalypse Now, as one of the Calvary chopper pilots.
The extended cuts are even more trippy. Truly exceptional film
Yes this came out in 1979 and Star Wars came out in 1977, but it took so long to film Apocalypse Now that filming started in 1976. So Harrison Ford's scenes were likely shot before Star Wars.
"Upside Down and fifty Years Ago" would be a good title for a book.
Great flick, I remember when this came out, i was in the Marine Corps, and stationed on Okinawa, i actually seen the movie while on a Navy ship in the port of Hong Kong, great memories !
I was waiting for you to recongnize Lawrence Fishburne Coby. The reaction on your face, hilarious.
Amazing reaction to this iconic masterpiece of a Vietnam movie.
an oscar for best cinematography and best sound,was nominated for best picture,director,supporting actor for duvall ect,.8 nominations in all .i love this film and martin sheens beautiful big SEIKO 6105 diver watch,named now as the WILLARD after sheens character.
Fantastic collection of great actors in this movie!!!! Loved Dennis Hopper in this!..hell, this is a classic.
2:20
"This is the end, beautiful friend. This is the end, my only friend, the end.
Of our elaborate plans, the end. Of everything that stands, the end.
No safety or surprise, the end. I'll never look into your eyes, again."
Love her smile and laugh ❤ Most beautiful film reactor on TH-cam 🌹🔥
Your legit shock and raw response is what everyone was hoping you'd feel. The exhaustion, the chimerical pulse, the horror.....
If you want to take the next step up watch the Redux version, it takes you some place that even the normal version cannot.
Thanks for the enjoyably visceral react Coby!
Just call me napalm in the morning, napalm...just touch my cheek before you leave me, napalm! Awesome Coby content, so immersive, truly epic.
because I was in film class and the teacher knew the editor, I got to see this pre-release at the Cinerama dome in L.A. - in that version, it ended with the air strike after willard and lance left
I think the TV broadcast version still does end with the air strike and closing credits, which the theatrical version had no opening or closing credits, but a playbill handed out with all of that info
When I saw it in the Theater the air strike happened with the roll of the credits.
First year in college mid 80's in a small town our student apartments only got 2 local channels. I had my VCR and my only 2 VHS tapes, Apocalypse Now and Caddyshack. We played them nonstop all year round whether anyone was watching or not. We literally had the films memorized.
I'm old and saw this so long ago it's cool to see a new generation experience film like this for the first time with an entire new perspective and lens
indeed !
@@BriBryBriBry Don't kid yourself: wanting to ban things isn't new at all, its been a constant of American life for centuries.
@@criminalcontent Always try to look for remastered copies of good quality image and sound of the movies, for those who react, so they see them as it should be, because sometimes when the movie looks old image, or are old copies, subtracts that to the experience, because it looks old and this generation subtracts that in the experience, so they should see it with the most modern image possible, so we jump that obstacle of the old image and concentrate on the content of the work. Thanks to the great resmasters at Hollwood you can see excellent copies of old movies.
I'm there with ya. Saw it first week in the theater on the big screen with the big surround sound. It's good to see a new generation exposed to it, but sad it's on a teeny, tiny little screen with headphones. In the theater, the six-channel sound had the helicopters sound like they were flying right over your head toward the back of the house, and the napalming was sixty feet wide!
The horror.
It was great to see you dealing with it.
As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
Great reaction Coby like always this movie is a masterpiece love it, and its based on the Joseph Conrad book "Heart of Darkness," which is about a sailor traveling upriver to find an ivory trader named Kurtz who is supposedly ill and is being worshiped by the natives. Instead of killing Kurtz, which is the mission in the 1979 movie, Conrad's character is out to rescue him. Coppola expected everyone in the film to be familiar with "Heart of Darkness," but when actor Marlon Brando arrived on set, he had neither read the book nor the movie's script. Coppola would spend several days reading the book to Brando during production.
Some Fun facts, A Water Buffalo Is Really Sacrificed on Screen. While filming in the Philippines, one of the local tribes, the Ifugao, was slaughtering a water buffalo as a sacrifice. The crew had provided a number of animals to the tribes as payment for filming on their land, including two water buffalo. Coppola's wife filmed one of the water buffalo sacrifices. And coppola himself filmed the second sacrifice. He didn't direct the action; he just filmed it and included the footage in the final scenes of this movie. Keep up the amazing work.
thank you marcus !!
They should get AI Brando for the upcoming Blood Meridian movie
Great reaction. Such a helplessly honest human reaction to the horror and the adrenaline and the visual overload. I like the extended film version myself. The French plantation scene which are one ofi my favourite parts of the whole film, is such a good insight to the historical perspective to the wars in the then Indochina.
The sad thing that you have to realize with the Vietnam War, is that the people in that village the Air Cav destroyed, were Viet Cong "Enemy Combatants"... and their families.
After my uncle returned from two tours as a Marine in Vietnam, including the siege of Khe Sanh, he told me about guys that he knew getting blown up by children begging for candy.
Whether or not we should have been involved, surviving combat in Vietnam was brutal.
This scene depicts a war crime, dummy, murdering civilians is against the law.
@@davisworth5114 shut up peasant
SO glad you got to experience this.
It is, truly legendary and iconic (in the true and straightforward meanings of those terms!)!
I hardly will remember/understand appropriately "where to begin" (so,. PLEASE!, forgive my jumping form point-to-point (I will, also, be attempting to address things you mentioned wanting to understand, during your watch, as well as: "general"(bad expression, to use, but....) information about the film and its making (which is 'a legend" all its own! NO JOKE!).
Firstly, I will mention that: the D.P. is the legendary: Vittorio Storaro.
I imagine you are familiar with him (at least by name), but if you don't know the rest of his work, it is, highly, worth searching out!
He is, perhaps, BEST-known/MOST well-recognized (besides for his work on: Apocalypse Now!) for shooting: The Conformist
as well as: The Last Emperor
(as well as the controversial: Last Tango In Paris).
...Storaro worked quite a bit with Bernardo Bertolucci, over the years, as well.
----- This film, also, demands a knowledge and understanding: not simply the Viet-nam conflict, and its existence, both, before and after U.S. involvement), but, also, the original story from which this narrative was extracted: Joseph Conrad's classic novella: Heart Of Darkness.
Conrad's Heart Of Darkness deals with: the evils and idiocy (and total misunderstanding, as well as: resultant aggrandized, false self-importance (deriving from all of that!)) of: colonialism (specifically: British Colonialism, in the 1800s & 1900s - but easily applied to ANY version, by any nation or group, at ANY time, anywhere!).
The darkness and madness, certainly, increases by involving war, but, actually, I always felt that: there was NOT that much difference in the 2 situations/circumstances, (when you come down to it).
Obviously, the French occupation of: Vietnam and Cambodia and Laos, etc. (or, as they referred to it, "in parlance": "Indochina" or "French Indochina"), was, utterly, colonialism of the strongest order, as well, so: it plays in, very well.
...A central "focus" (*I*, myself, would call it) and realization that the reader of: Conrad's Heart Of Darkness is SUPPOSED to have is:
the sense that: the further upriver you go, the further into "the depths of" a man's mind your are heading and: you do not know what awaits you there (you begin to have no idea, essentially!) ...and, also: it is, certainly, a reflection of (metaphor for): the, possible, descent into madness (our of which/from which: "escape" is not possible, in the end).).
...Apocalypse Now, **obviously!** reflected this well (as we get this sense of foreboding, existential dread and insanity, the further that we pursue Capt.Willard's mission up the (fictional) "Núng river").
[I have, also, long-stated that: in fact: Eleanor Coppola's (ultra-extensive!) documentary on the MAKING of this film: (itself entitled)
Hearts Of Darkness, is AS, if not MORE necessary viewing (but: I suppose you can't separate the two, outright. You need to see both for each to fulfill the other, more totally and relevantly.)!!]
The casting and "bit" roles in this production are: MASSIVE (and quite "insane," and special!, in themselves) (especially: 48 (soon to be 50!) years after-the-fact!)!!.
To begin with: Since casting took place in 1975 and shooting started in 1976, but took OVER a year (due to MULTITUDES of (too many) "issues," including: filming being curtailed due to a typhoon (which wrecked sets and gear) which came through in the Philippines, in 1976 (most of the footage was shot in The Philippines);Martin Sheen having a heart attack (ON-set!) and recasting the main role after a month of filming had, already, been done.
The initial lead that Coppola wanted was: Steve McQueen. When McQueen turned it down, he went with Harvey Keitel ...who shot for just over a month, but, then:: Coppola realized: "he wasn't getting what he needed (or wanted)" and canned Keitel [canning all the shot footage!] and, ended-up acquiring Martin Sheen.
Sheen's first scene (in the hotel room in Saigon), was shot on his 36th birthday.. Sheen was highly intoxicated and did, actually, cut his hand by breaking the mirror (that punch was not "scripted!!")!!
...Essentially: everyone felt they went/were going "a little bit crazy" (or more!) on set, MOST of all: Francis Ford Coppola, himself!!
Harrison Ford shot Apocalypse Now BEFORE he shot Star Wars!!!! Yes!
Although Star Wars was released in 1977 and Apocalypse Now in 1979, Apocalypse Now shot in 1976 (into '77!). Ford had worked with Lucas and Coppola, already. American Graffiti, The Conversation (I think there was one other role, I am forgetting, right now ---apologies!) ...but, he was, effectively, "an unknown" when he shot his scenes for: Apocalypse Now, However: by the time it was released in theatres (due to the extent of editing and all of the additional shooting weeks!), he was, already, "a movie star," because of: Star Wars (almost 2 years earlier, by that point!)! Yep!
...Apparently, Harrison was so nervous on the day of shooting (for: Apocalypse Now), that: Coppola included his nervousness/"fidgetiness" as part of his character profile! You will notice that: Ford's character drops the Kurtz file, while handing it to Sheen's Willard. This was something Coppola decided, on-the-spot, to do. ...and it adds a new layer to Ford's character (but came out of actual behavior and emotion, on-set!).
Oh! Great catch on the (unintentional) Coppola "cameo" as the: news film cameraman, in the village! That IS, indeed, him!
Larry [Laurence] Fishburne's casting is ANOTHER amazing story!
Fishburne was 15 when he was cast as "Clean"!! (and Fishburne DOES, actually, hail from The Bronx!)
--- Apparently he lied and said he was 🤷🤷 (I forget, now) 16 ?? ...or 18 (whatever he needed to be, at the time)!
He was 15-16 when they shot and 18 when the film came out in theatres!!! 😆😆
- This was Fishburne's first "larger role." He had appeared on TV and in theatre, in N.Y.C. and had had a small role in the film: Cornbread, Earl & Me
...but Apocalypse Now put him amnion "the major players," for the first time.
(Nowadays, he is, of course, legendary. as: "Morpheus".).
There are many well-known character actors in roles in this film, as well.
...One of the more unfairly "ignored," I always felt, is: "Chef" played by: Frederic Forrest.
[Personally, I recall him, most from playing the "Captain/"head-of-station"/"-unit"; on: the early seasons (well, at least the first season 🤷) of:
21 Jump Street [the TV show from the late '80s/early '90s] [That character was, of course, replaced by: actor Steven Williams' character, in later seasons, but....🤷]
Forrest has played numerous character roles over the decades, though.
The guy who delivers mail to the boat (and is, very, very briefly, seen), may look familiar!: It is Christopher Walken's younger brother: Glenn Walken (also an actor. Mainly stage)!
I, also, find this intriguing as: essentially: Christoper Walken and Laurence Fishburne made their primary breakthroughs (began to rise in stature on the acting scene, for real) in a small, not-that-well-received, in theatres (but became well-known and reputed on the rental market, afterwards!) movie, from 1990, called: King Of New York.
King Of N.Y. was, also, kind-of, (director) Abel Ferrara's "breakthrough" film.
A lurid, N.Y.-based sleaze-drama, with plenty of neo-noir imagery (which, also, featured plenty of actors who would soon make names for themselves: Giancarlo Esposito (already known from his work with Spike Lee, at this point, I think🤷), Steve Buscemi; David Caruso (soon to make a major break on the TV Police drama: N.Y.P.D. Blue (which he would leave, less than a year later and not return to TV for almost a decade, until he took the lead role on: C.S.I. Miami and became a solidified star, again. -after failing to become a box-office lead.). [Caruso featured in small roles in a number of early-'80s productions, such as: First Blood (with Sly Stallone) [Caruso plays the one cop who "hesitates" in and questions abusing Rambo, after he's (illegally) arrested] and in Richard Gere and Louis Gosset's "star making" turn in: Officer And A Gentleman (Caruso plays another recruit in Mayo's class).]
...
...anyhow: I found it intriguing that Fishburne and Christopher Walken's brother, both, had roles in Coppola's Apocalypse Now and, then, over a decade later, Fishburne (again) and Walken's older brother: Christopher, sort-of, both had their "push into the higher degrees of notice" via Ferrara's King Of New York. 🤷🤷
There is, also, a tiny role played by R. Lee Ermey; the man who, later, became famous for portraying: drill instructor "Gunnery Sgt. Hartman" in Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam war epic: Full Metal Jacket.
Ermey portrays a helicopter pilot (in the "Ride Of the Valkyries" assault sequence [It IS "Ride..." ...not "flight." Valkyries ride horses. Ones with wings, yes ...but horses, nevertheless.
The correct work title is "Ride Of The Valkyries" (just in case you get into a "Wagner competition, "somewhere. 😛😛).].).
...I forget if Ermey is, even, shown in the theatrical release (which is what you watched, here). As I recall, his face does get shown in the "Apocalypse Now: Redux" extended edit.🤷
--I, also, wanted to try to explain, some of the reasons that I understand WHY that travesty on the boat stopped by the "PBR Streetgang" 's crew occurs (the slaughter of the family with the animals and the puppy😭😭).
In Vietnam, the soldiers encountered conditions that U.S. soldiers had NEVER experienced, prior/didn't understand or know existed ...and:: these, developed into: fear and "snap defensive response," upon EVERY encounter, for a vast majority of soldiers. [Naturally: the conditions of war tend to make people: as inhumane as imaginable, as well, so: there were instances of , simply, that, as well, bit....]. When the U.S.entered Vietnam, the French had been at war to regain their occupied territory, since 1946 (after having had to getr out of it, during W.W. II) and had been forced out of North Vietnam circa 1954.
The N. Vietnamese State was, then, established as a communist nation (backed by communist china and russia) and South Vietnam was a (supposedly) "democratic-leaning" state (although: mistakenly/ludicrously, the S. Vietnamese government (after "the first Indochina war" (from 1946-1954, as previously mentioned)) had been formed out of: French-loyalist Vietnamese oligarchs, who, were uninterested in the general welfare of the people (or, at least: often blind to it).]
U.S. forces were, first installed in: 1963 (there had been advisory unites and personnel there, prior to that, but no combat troops).
The U.S. withdrew all troops in 1973 (although most were gone by 1972, already).
[For a better, more incisive (and precise) overview, I recommend viewing
Ken Burns' documentary series:: The Viet-Nam War. It delves into serious detail on EVERY aspect of U.S. involvement.
(Also: just be aware: war did NOT stop after the U.S. withdrew. There was open warfare through the early 1990s, in various regions. -Including warfare between: Vietnam and Cambodia and between Vietnam and China!)]
--Apologies: it seems I became "distracted" by what seemed (at least) "a necessary overview," but does not focus on the aspects I was about to delve into or had wanted to address/(attempt to) describe.
So: after the anti-French conflict ended in 1954, there were still plenty of families who had people in, both, the North and the South ...and the war had devastated the country. ...Essentially, open movement from either part of the country (which had, just, reestablished its name and borders (after decades of French occupation, as well!) which created ...well, let's just say: "problems." 🙄🙄
...when the U.S. "showed-up," they were convinced that: there was a clear enemy ...and certain allies. [Also: it would behoove one to remember: that the U.S. had, not long ago (about a decade before, lost a severe and incomprehensible war (actually: it "got put on 'hold" 🙄🤦" ...and still is, TODAY ! [...because: china inserted itself and its forces into combat and annihilated a huge amount of troops and civilians/.
...but "On the ground," this, essentially, did not appear to be the case.
...It was in certain places and at certain times, but: American soldiers could not parse out: when or where, really.
The, so-called, "Ho-Chi-Minh trail" was operating, allowing North Vietnamese troops to bring in arms, rations and fighters from the North.
There were also the guerilla fighters of the Viet-Cong.
The Viet-Cong (or: "V.C." for short) didn't have an, acknowledged, centralized command or similar. Most of them declared loyalty to the Viet-Minh (the former group responsible for defeating the French in Vietnam, essentially), but: also: not "as a rule."
...SO: there were at least 2 armed groups (which weren't explained, or explicitly defined or described, to soldiers or combatants --- also: because tit was difficult to define : who belonged to each group and what their overall goals might be🤷🤷).
The N.V.A. was the North Vietnamese Army. They were the official troops on the ground, fighting against the South Vietnamese. The V.C. [Viet-Cong} were a looser group of guerillas (or terrorists, to most non-Vietnamese combatants) and had, not only, soldiers/combatants in the forests, but: operatives and assistants in villages and cities, etc. They were not controlled by the N.V.A., directly, but, also; assisted them.
"Charlie" was using the N.A.T.O. (or, just: military) phonetic alphabet to refer to the "Con:g" in "Viet-Cong." "V.C." "Victor Charlie." "Charlie" for short, but very rapidly, "Charlie" just became an overall term for: opposing (suspected or actual) Asian combats, overall.
The S. Vietnamese government, had, also, "relocated" citizens, to protect them. They forced individuals and families, to build "fortress-like" outposts, surrounded by walls and external defenses. ...After which: it was discovered that:the V.C. would bun down entire such enclaves (including: The Elderly, Women, Children, Animals, Pets, Men (of course), etc.), especially, because many were made of wood and /or bamboo.
...in addition to those: some of the enclaves had hidden V.C. operatives (who, either: forced or "allowed" to escape, the villagers cordoned into such protected areas. ...Leading to: fear, disappointment and overall mistrust and wavering misunderstanding of/confusion regarding: who was causing/creating damage, betrayal, et al. and who was "doing good" (depending on one's: randomized occurrences and/or: one's personal allegiances and support for an ideology or a family/family members.). Primarily, though: for the South Vietnamese and the individuals trying to fight on their behalf.
Given all of these things (and more, yet), it felt "impossible" to "tell friend from foe" in a LOT of situations, for U.S soldiers )and I am sure for many, many others, as well)).
Given this constant vigilance demanded (because of this!) and: the possibility of unexpected operatives/soldiers/betrayal/ambush/etc. ...Every encounter with a stranger (or somoen who wasn't known very well to you--and, ofttimes: even THEM!) became: a possible assassination attempt or attack. Not necessarily, just POTENTIALLY!...
...SO, with all of that implanted in your mind: a young cat from The Bronx, like "Clean" [and, I always questioned, logistically, if he COULD, legitimately, BE 17 (and serving!). I, absolutely don't know all of the rules (or the possible:"sideways turns" to things and rules!), but: as I understood it, they COULDN'T conscript ("draft") you before your 18th birthday, at all! 🤷🤷
I don't know if:an underage volunteer could receive parental permission and become a soldier, or not. 🤷 ...it does seem potentially possible, but...🤷🤷], would have all of the uncertainty (and brashness!) of youth. A more nervous temperament (arguably). ...Would be concerned-to-death about the health of his crewmates. and, within such a questionable situation ("questionable" simply by the nature of things and the possibility that: every encounter puts you in "a, possible, kill zone," unexpectedly! 😡😭😢) ...that: "Clean,"certainly,would potentially "freak out: and "jump the gun." He, obviously, yes: thought that the woman might be going for a weapon ...however: his fear created the inability to see these people as ...what they were: "just a family, making their way along the river" and unable to understand why this military patrol boat had stopped them and come aboard their vessel!
the woman was afraid and nervous and wanted to protect her little pup (or, maybe, show them what he was 🤷). ...but the inability to define: what may be happening, what the intentions of the persons on the other boat were (due to the information I resented above and knowledge of that and expectation of: danger, without warning or reason!-or, possibly: prior experiences! 🤷🤷🤷), led to an unnecessary release of fire (because of "Clean" being jumoy!) ...had he not -although the PBR crew were, really, "rousting" the boat, they may, well, have discovered that there was noting untoward on-board and, then, been on their way (leaving, only: the rudeness of the American as a bad taste in the mouths of the encountered individuals. Not death.
...but: it went WAY worse.
PLEASE: in NO way read, or misunderstand, ANY of that as: "an excuse"/"an attempt at excuse" for, or "a defense" of: the actions or choices of the PBR Streetgang and the soldiers within it! It was never intended that way and WILL NOT be that!
...however: I wanted to express that: as disturbing, heartbreaking and disgusting as that was ...in fact, it could be anticipated and had an expectation attached to its occurrence (and, sadly and despicably, likely: was more common an occurrence than not! 🤷🤬🤦).
It;s in NOW way "right" ...but:it demonstrates the utter confusion, chaos and momentary "decision"-messes which happened over there ...out of a sense of necessity -which it, certainly, sometimes WAS!- (and: "I'm not gonna die. If somebody's gonna die, YOU'RE gonna be that person, chump!").
Recall, also (as I explained above, somewhere) that: as we travel further up the river, we are, also, traveling further into "the psyche," the depths & "weeds" (etc.) of: consciousness, individual persona and its weaknesses and shortcomings, etc.! ...so that: at THIS point in the story, we aren't THAT far, yet ...HOWEVER: the struggle and question and darkness of: fear, uncertainty, powerlessness, fear of death, "me or you," an inconsideration for anything but one's individual needs and considerations, etc.
...These are, all, I think: showing-up, here (and starting to show us: "a further descent," as well 🤷🤷)., ...Just my "sidereal" (perhaps) assessment.... 🤷
-One, final, additional; thing (more lighthearted and so on!):
There is another "cameo" (of sorts) that, unless you knew the time, or lived through it, you, probably, wouldn't know.
[I only recognized the man, later, myself, accuse I have always been a huge music maven {fan) and read a great deal on the history of music, in general!]
At the "Bunny showcase" on the river (or whatever they call it🤷🤦), the announcer who brings out the talent is, actually, famed concert promoter (and the manager and driving force behind such legendary '60s music venues as: The Fillmore Auditorium (a.k.a.: 'The Fillmore West'), The Fillmore East and The Winterland (etc.!)-): Bill Graham.
One of the most important (if not THE most important!) Rock 'n' Roll music promoters and venue 'establishers' (NOT an actual word🤦, but... I'm using it, here, anyway!😛😛) in history!
[By the time Apocalypse Now was being shot, he had closed his venues (or passed their management duties on) and retired from the business (temporarily).
...So, yeah: that's, actually, the famed: Bill Graham!
-------I feel as if I haven't, fully, covered everything I had intended to say, yet (but: perhaps, I am, also, wrong 🤷🤷😛). ...I'd say it has to be pretty close -- and: if I find I need to, ...I shall return (reference to ANOTHER war, entirely. 😝😜).
Again: I am pleased you got to see this and understood it, so well, "off-the-bat." I (once again!) EXTREMELY highly recommend: watching
Eleanor Coppola's documentary on the making of this film:
Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (as well as seeing some of the bonus footage --- likely, best understood through viewing: Apocalypse Now: Redux. [ 🤷🤷🤔].
All the best! 🤘🤘
You want to see a great Robert Duvall movie? The Great Santini.
I love your passion and knowledge for films. Way beyond what I would expect. And in terms of knowledge and observation of what you are watching, definitely above the average youtube reaction. By a lot. Wonderful. Thank you. Have a sub. :) Blessings
Thanks for the sub !!
@@criminalcontent Anytime. :)