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Re: "Apocalypse Now:" a very overrated film.

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on October 12, 2006 at 14:16:10

In Reply to: "Apocalypse Now:" a very overrated film. posted by tinear on October 11, 2006 at 10:36:49:

"In general, the problem with our Vietnam movies is that they must exalt the Americans when, in fact, we were hardly "heroes."
"Casualties of War" is a far superior film. "

And therein lies the problem. You are looking for a film to tell the Vietnam story in such a way that it is consistent with your political viewpoints. Which is fine. But because the film, in your view, does not comport with your political beliefs, does not a bad film make.

Not having scene the film in some time, and am not a rabid fan of the film, I cannot be too specific, but I'll try:

(1) I did not regard the Duvall character as herioc. I regarded him as a caricature of some soldiers - war is a vocation, not a blip in one's life. THIS was his holiday. You may regard it as cartoonish, but those scenes certainly communicated, to those not predisposed to avoid the point, what Coppola was attempting to show.

(2) Sheen is not in the top echelon of actors. But for this role, he was believable. The disenchanted soldier, likely went to Vietnam believing Johnson and McNamara's propaganda on television, then landing, and finding a different reality. He did the deer in the headlights thing well. His scenes with Brando underscored him not being a "heavyweight." Ever consider that same statement would apply to a litany of actors who have shared a scene with Brando? Thought not. But then that would be inconvenient to your argument.

(3) "In general, the problem with our Vietnam movies is that they must exalt the Americans when, in fact, we were hardly "heroes."
"Casualties of War" is a far superior film.

This statement sums up your real issues with Apocalypse Now. Casualities of War is a good, but a different, film. I dare say that the overwhelming majority of soldiers who fought in Vietnam were good men. Casualties of War is about the very few that were not. It is not a film about Vietnam, but is a small story of a few men. I suspect that you have not progressed to the point that most of the Vietnam anti-war crowd have, the leaders of which have expressed remorse that while they protested the war, they also protested the soldiers that fought, and that perhaps they should have protested the war and embraced the soldiers.

Heroes can be such without acting in a noble cause. I dunno' Tin, the soldier who smothers a grenade during Vietnam, saving other soldier's lives, is a hero in my book, regardless of the politicos that initiated the war. At least to the other soldier's families. Or perhaps that soldier should have allowed the other soldiers to expire? They probably deserved to die because they answered their countries' call to fight in a war you disagreed with. I am curious - how old were you when the war ended?

"Good cartoon, yes, but again a gigantic breach of directorial decision-making."

I'll bite. Please explain. With some facts. Not merely conclusions.

I am not sure why a film cannot depict the majority of soldiers who were good men, did not commit atrocities, murder children, etc. without being realistic. That you would place Casualities of War as a better film Apocalypse Now speaks volumes about your political beliefs, and maybe that chip.

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