The Madness of War: Apocalypse Now
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In 1979, one of the best war films ever created, Apocalypse, would be released. But to achieve its immortal status, its participants would be involved in one of the most insane film shoots on record. During the filming process, they would face typhoons that destroyed all the sets; a war raging less than 5 km from the set; a heart attack and various injuries that nearly took the life of the protagonist; constant daily use of all kinds of drugs by the entire crew; actors who were deranged, out of shape, and high on drugs; a script that was constantly trying to adapt to the daily problems the project faced; and a director who mortgaged his entire fortune to perhaps finish the film, seriously considering ending his own life in the process. For all this and much more, I'm about to say. To tell you today in movie stories, I present to you the most chaotic shoot in the history of cinema in Apocalypse Now.
We are told the story of Benjamin Ano, a member of the US Army, who, in the midst of the Vietnam War, must carry out a secret mission: to kill the former rebel Green Beret colonel, Walter Kurz. Kurtz has apparently gone mad and now commands his own troops in neutral but troubled Cambodia, establishing himself as a god on earth. To achieve this, Willard must travel up the Nung River to the remote jungle where the colonel is hiding, crossing warring territories and facing situations that will make him rethink the meaning, even of his own life.
This description of the film could perfectly well be the description of the shoot that would be carried out for the filming of the same film. Willard would be Coola and Kurt would be his film. The film was directed by the maestro Francis Forcola, who also directed the Godfather trilogy, among many other things, and with a cast full of stars such as Robert Duane, Martin Scorsese, Denis Cooper, and Marlon Brando, along with the magnificent work of writer John Milius and the photography of Victorio Storaro, which would earn him an Oscar. This makes it one of the most complete and praised films in history. Coola considered carrying out the project before he directed the first Godfather film. The idea that not even Orson Wells could adapt his story was the initial intention of the American prodigy, and it ended up leading to his immortal Citizen Khan. For Copola, it became his most personal project, but Adapting Joseph Conrad's work and setting it during the Vietnam War didn't please the United States Army. It was the First World War, which they lost, and with it much of that spirit that had previously been unquestionable. The studios were also unhappy with supporting a film of this nature. There were demonstrations every day, and they didn't want to get involved in anything that could tarnish their image, an event that doesn't seem to have changed over time. So Coola had to wait to film the first two parts of The Godfather, and even with all the renown of having created two of the greatest masterpieces in cinema, he had to seek financing outside his country. Now, with few certainties and many doubts, he turned to the Philippines to carry out the most chaotic shoot in history.
The soundtrack to Apocalypse Now (1979) is one of the most iconic in cinematic history. Francis Ford Coppola's film combines classical music, psychedelic rock, and atmospheric sounds to enhance its powerful narrative about the Vietnam War.
Soundtrack Highlights
- "The End" – The Doors
- The film opens with this song as images of the burning jungle and Willard's (Martin Sheen) face are shown. Its dark atmosphere and Jim Morrison's voice set the film's tone of madness and despair.
- "Ride of the Valkyries" – Richard Wagner
- It is used in the iconic scene of the helicopter attack led by Colonel Kilgore (Robert Duvall). The music accompanies the brutality of the bombing, creating an epic and ironic contrast with the devastation on screen.
- "Suzie Q" – Creedence Clearwater Revival
- It plays in a scene where soldiers enjoy an entertainment show featuring Playboy bunnies, reflecting the mix of distraction and decadence in war.
- "Satisfaction" – The Rolling Stones (only in some extended versions)
- In certain editions, it appears on military radio, reinforcing the presence of rock music as part of the soldiers' culture in Vietnam.
- "Let's Go" – The Routers
- A surf-rock sound heard in a scene of the film, used ironically to contrast with the war atmosphere.
Additional Elements
Appearances of ambient sounds and synthesizer effects created by Carmine Coppola (the director's father) and Francis Ford Coppola. These elements enhance the sense of surrealism and madness in Willard's journey down the river.
Use of silence and ambient noise in many scenes to build tension and emphasize the madness of war.
Apocalypse Now's soundtrack not only complements the film, but also reinforces its message about the irrationality of war and the psychology of its characters.
And that's all for today. I hope you enjoy this post.
It's pretty amazing to me that CCR kind of became associated with any armed conflict in South East Asia. I'm a fan of them even before I was aware of this but now I can't hear "Fortunate Son" without thinking of helicopters and troops moving out.
The same thing happens to me, hahaha. But when I hear Adolf Hitler speak in Pink Floyd's song "The Wall," it reminds me of those people in the concentration camps. In today's post, you'll find out what I mean.
I had no idea until just now that it was Hitler in that song.
The first voice that comes out in one of the topics that children are heard answering is that of a teacher, but the second, which is a more forceful voice, is from a speech by Adolf Hitler.