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enlarge | Actor: Apocalyspe Now Studio: Paramount Category: DVD
List Price: $19.99 Buy New: $12.75 You Save: $7.24 (36%)
New (41) Used (18) Collectible (3) from $8.24
Avg. Customer Rating: 692 reviews Sales Rank: 886
Format: Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Vietnamese (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled) Rating: R (Restricted) Number Of Items: 2 Running Time: 355 Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4 Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.6
MPN: 097360706840 UPC: 097360706840 EAN: 0097360706840 ASIN: B000FSME1A
Theatrical Release Date: August 15, 1979 Release Date: August 15, 2006 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping: Expedited shipping available Shipping: International shipping available Condition: original shrink wrap, never opened.
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A total departure from reality July 17, 2007 7 out of 16 found this review helpful
It is interesting to read the numerous positive reviews of Apocalypse Now, and certainly it will be to see reactions to this Review. As a Vietnam veteran who spent almost seven years in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, it's difficult to be generous about the views of Martin Sheen, for example, who stated emphatically that this is "...the best Vietnam War film ever." Hardly! If you evaluate the cinematic qualities of the film - for film's sake only, yes, it is a well-made film. Other than that, and in terms of truth and realism, "surrealistic" about covers it. In terms of reality and realism, even "The Siege of Firebase Gloria" - despite some terrible acting - was much better.
The film presents scenarios that are not only surrealistic, they are virtually impossible, such as Kurtz' empire-building situation "up the river." As a former Green Beret, I am a little bothered by such portrayals, but I also realize that "opinions differ." This film is no better than a "1" on the scale of realism.
Hearts + Apocalypse = THE COMPLETE COMPLETE DVD SET OF APOCALYPSE NOW July 16, 2007 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Here's the thing - Hearts of Darkness: a Filmmaker's Apocalypse is brilliant. It stands alone as being the MOTHER OF ALL "MAKING OF" DOCUMENTARIES and guess what? Its not on DVD...thanks to Coppola. Personally, if you haven't seen it, by all means its worth the hunt. Ebay or Amazon has used copies on VHS running for $30. To me it was the best 30 bucks I spent on a crappy VHS ever. Hearts gives Apocalypse Now more crediblity than it already has. Watching the production slumber into 200 or so days of principal photography gives you more appreciation for what Francis Ford Coppola had to go through. Also your probably going to want to buy this edition too since well, after Hearts of Darkness, your going to want to watch the movie again.
I love the idea of a two-disc edition to Apocalypse Now. I personally would double dip ,but one factor prevents me from purchase...NO Hearts. I just think its sad that Hearts of Darkness: A filmmaker's Apocalypse has become a tough film to get a hold of and people like me are not able to find a higher quality version.
There is nothing better than watching back to back Hearts of Darkness/Apocalypse Now double feature.
Apocalypse Now Redux July 3, 2007 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Though both the original and "Redux" are worthy, they suffer from director Coppola's narrative excesses, the longer "Redux" even more so. Still, the new version includes new scenes which clarify some loose ends in the original. Either way, it's an epic, mesmerizing acid-trip of a war movie that melds together the savage themes of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" with the inherent waste of Vietnam. Grand spectacle, augmented by brilliant use of music. Acting is superb, from Sheen, Duvall and Hopper in particular. Even bald, bloated, incoherent Brando fascinates. Once seen, never forgotten.
Not quite complete June 25, 2007 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This otherwise fantastic DVD edition mislabels itself as "The Complete Dossier" when it is in fact completely missing the brilliant documentary on the making of the film, "Heart of Darkness." Therefore you can rest assured in a few years time that will be added and "Apolcapyse Now" fans will have yet another must-buy edition. This my third. The original theatrical release being the first and the "Redux" version the second. Why "Heart of Darkness" is not included surely has to do with legal issues that are boring and tedious to film buffs like me. All that said this is a wonderful DVD positively teeming with special features as well as both versions of the film and optional audio commentary. As many of us learned from "The Godfather" and its immediate sequel, Coopla is one of the very best director commentators. His voice, enthusiasm and forthrightness are ideal accompaniments to a multiple viewings of a film. The other bonus features include unseen footage, lost scenes, retrospectives and some particularly good featurettes not heretofore available. Surely you need not be sold on the film itself if you've read this far or at all interested in purchasing it. Nonetheless its worth reminding film fans that is a GREAT film, one of four, along with the first two "Godfather" movies and "The Conversation", that Coppola blessed audiences with in a ten-year period. From the opening sequence of the juxtaposed jungle, helicopter fire explosions and "Doors" song to the enigmatic ending, "Apocalypse Now" is breath taking cinema. The Oscar winning cinematography and teh scope of the film are obviously best appreicated on a big screen but for humble TV sets this DVD version will certainly do nicely. The story, the characters and the events of the movie and Coppola's masterful direction can also be well appreciated. If you love the movie as I do, you'll soon get over the absence of "Heart of Darkness" and be very happy with the purchase of this DVD.
The kind of charismatic film making that only Coppola can provide June 15, 2007 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
In terms of visual impact and scenes that live long in the mind, no war movie can really surpass Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now'. War can be a difficult business for film makers to deal with. There is the possibility of becoming bogged down in poignant, overly sentimental, personal stories among the soldiers, or reveling in the gruesome bodily disfigurement of the battle scenes. 'Apocalypse Now' skillfully sidesteps both of these potential pitfalls to bring a war movie of true originality.
'Apocalypse Now' is infused with a black humour that adds an extra dimension. In a spirit akin to Stanley Kubrick's 'Full Metal Jacket', the battlefield seems like a playground to some of the GIs, blending off the cuff jokes with brutal killings in a bizarre mix.
Martin Sheen's portrayal of Captain Willard is a compelling one. An experienced marine, who appears intimidated by his mission, but pushed forward by honour and his desire to do his duty. This performance, however, is surpassed by the unforgettable imprint that Marlon Brando leaves on the film. His intense, brooding acting style is an exact match for the persona of the renegade Colonel Kurtz. His famous half-light scene inside his temple is possibly unsurpassed by any other in film in terms of intensity and impact.
'Apocalypse Now' is regarded by many as the greatest war movie ever made. I feel that most people who take the time to enjoy it will come to the same conclusion.
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