Apocalypse Now Final Cut 40th Anniversary Special Edition 3-Disc Set 4K UHD Blu-ray Region Free

The film is 5 stars. This is actually the "Final Cut" version. It is longer than the original theatre release, but significantly shorter than "Redux". Each version has its strong points, is 5 star and worthy of viewing (perhaps not all in the same year). In this "Amazon Prime" version that claims to be 2:27 but is actually a little over 3 hours, the subtitles become completely out of synch after the opening scenes. It is such a good film I will not dock it a star for that. Read more

If this film doesn't create nitemares, watch it again! Its an watch and the back drop off possibly the worst conflict the U S. has ever been involved in. Read more

Excellent movie and well shipped Read more

Opening scene, Vietnam, a scene of palm trees in the background, helicopters whirring overhead, flew passed slowly from left and right. Dolby Atmos sound brought it alive from my soundbar and visually stunning from my 4K TV in the living room. Then napalm explosions amidst palm trees, a classic song with guitar plucking in the background, a voice flowing out 'This is The End'.....in a lyrical tune, expressive, surreal depiction of the Vietnam War. The song 'The End' sung by Jim Morrison of the American Rock Band 'The Doors', 1967. It was an instant classic opening scene of Apocalypse Now by Francis Ford Coppola. Theatrical Cut and Redux were released before the FINAL CUT but after 'REDUX', Francis Coppola finally edited for the final cut in 2019 which he preferred. It was slightly shorter than REDUX but longer than the first theatrical release. This final cut is restored in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos Sound, incorporating key scenes from Redux, improving and balancing its pacing from the original release. This disc delivers nice improved hues and Dolby Atmos sound that is immersive, with clear dialogue, overall an impressive final version. Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, G.D. Spradlin, Harrison Ford, Laurence Fishburne, to name a few actors, gave inspiring performances to depict the madness of the Vietnam War in this movie. A mad Colonel Walter Kurst (Marlon Brando) of the 5th Special Forces Group, US Army Special Forces, commanding his own war, without permission and defying orders from his Commanders has gone rogue on the other side of Vietnam, somewhere in the jungles of Cambodia against the Khmer Rouge with many followers made up of Militia who worshipped him like 'GOD'. A dangerous journey and crazy task for a US Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard (Martin Sheen) was assigned to eliminate Colonel Kurst, penetrated right deep into the jungle of Cambodia to gain entry into the Colonel's territory, with a group of young and seasoned crewmen in a US Navy PBR, a river patrol boat, transporting them on a river with unknown threat from the jungle and enemies to watch out for. Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilcore (Robert Duvall), a charismatic officer and also an avid surfer, who led the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, an elite 1st Cavalry Division of air assault helicopter unit. Lieutenant Colonel Kilcore and his squadron of helicopters were to raid a VC village near the coastal mouth of Nùng. Before reaching the village, Classic Richard Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' was belted out in loud speakers attached to the helicopters to mark the beginning of the raid, a favorite of Lieutenant Colonel Kilcore in his stylish mission. After the raid and napalm fiery strike in the land of palms to decimate the remaining VCs, Lieutenant Colonel Kilcore, in his famous quote of the day 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning'; an instant memorable line, for him it meant VICTORY and soon the war will end someday! An American Photojournalist (Dennis Hopper), a manic disciple of Colonel Kurst capturing the events, brutal images in Colonel Kurst's outpost. He found the Colonel's fascinating terrifying wage of war against his enemies. Lieutenant Colonel R. Gorman (G.D. Spradlin), a Military Intelligence officer, who feared the mad Colonel Kurst, had ordered Captain Willard in his briefing to terminate and assassinate the mad Colonel Kurst. Aided by an Army Intelligence Specialist, Colonel G. Lucas (Harrison Ford), providing information to Captain Willard for his mission. A cocky 17-year-old, 3rd Class Tyrone 'Mr. Clean' Miller (Laurence Fishburne), one of the crewmen of the PBR, navigates up the river with Captain Willard and the rest of the crew members to locate Colonel Kurst's outpost. Francis Ford Coppola makes a surprise cameo appearance as a TV news director filming beach combat; he voiced out 'Don't look at the camera, go by like you're fighting!' as Captain Willard passes in front of his cameraman. Apocalypse Now is directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who also co-written with John Milius and as a producer for this movie. It was nominated for Eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor (Robert Duvall). Eventually it won Two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Vittorio Storaro), who also appeared as a cameo playing the cameraman besides Francis Coppola's TV news director at the beach combat and Best Sound. The dark side of the story, the journey of fear and unknown and the mission to accomplish, this movie was paced and balanced with the narrative flows to keep the audience fully engaged and immersed. Apocalypse Now Final Cut, a masterpiece, Francis Ford Coppola finally cut it RIGHT where he wants it! Read more

Should be in every movie buff's collection. Read more

Apocalypse Now could be labeled the "most difficult production ever". Shooting lasted 238 days, a typhoon struck the sets and Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack. And that wasn't the end of it. Coppola struggled with the ending, the overbudget, Brando's overweight, the bad press surrounding the film and much much more. I have to say that I deeply admire Coppola for making this film and fight all the demons. He ended making a masterpiece and one of the best war films ever made. This was his last truly great film that will make him be remembered forever. Never again he had achieved the level of success that he had on the 70s with his four films (The Godfather, The Conversation, The Godfather part II and Apocalypse Now) but that's fine because this four films are among the finest of cinema history. As you may know, Apocalypse Now is set in Vietnam during the Vietnam War where a captain named Willard is sent in a mission to "terminate with extreme prejudice" the reign of Colonel Kurtz who has gone insane and is living up in Cambodia giving outregous orders. The movie it's not so much the destination as is the journey. During his travel, Willard meets a lot of characters including the ones that are with him in the boat, a Colonel Kilgore who assists him to crose to the other side of the river and more. I have to say that this film is outstanding in every regard. The locations are superb, the acting is amazing and the story is truly one of a kind. Dialogue is profound, funny, thoughtful and simply really good. Some scenes like the "Ryde of the Valkyries", "the meeting with Kurtz" and others are cinema classics that will be long remembered. Apocalypse Now is an exciting, often frightening ride that is require viewing for everyone. A classic materpiece through and through. Apocalypse Now was released by Lionsgate with new transfers supervised by Coppola himself and the release is a spectacular one. Video & Audio: Apocalypse Now comes to Blu Ray for the first time in its original aspect ratio looking absolutely amazing. The definition, the clarity, the detail, the crispness are awesome. Skin tones are really well defined and not at all artificial. There are some scenes with ocassional flickering but it's not at all distracting. There are no signs of compression artifacts and most importantly, film grain hasn't been removed or tampered giving the film a nice real life appearance. An excellent transfer that rivals the ones produced for the Godfather films (and those are also excellent). Apocalypse Now is credited for creating the 5.1 surround sound and for this release Lionsgate offers a 5.1 DTS-HD MA that's abolutely mesmerizing. The sound is really well distributed and all sound effects are really crisp. Dialogue is also crystal clear and without any hint of damage or hiss. An outstanding audio presentation. Bonus Features: Lionsgate released AN in two presentations: a two-disc special edition and a three disc "full disclosure edition" that it's the subject of review here Disc One: On disc one you have two versions of the film: Apocalypse Now (1979 original) and Apocalypse Now Redux (2001). Before I bought this set, I've only watched the Redux version which I liked but watching the original it seems to me that the 1979 version is the superior one. Some scenes in the Redux are too long (like the french plantation) but it's not a terrible version like many have point out. Regardless which version you prefer, the good thing is that you can choose (a thing George Lucas does not allow to us). Also both versions have an audio commentary by Coppola. Disc Two: Here is where all the good stuff is included. New to this release is an interview with John Milius and Coppola and a conversation between Martin Sheen and Coppola. Both are required viewing because of the stories and the different perspectives they had about the film. Also you have an interview with Fred Roos who explains the casting process of the film and we are treated to some screen tests of the actor. Then you have the original reading of Hearts of Darkness by Orson Welles in 1938, an interview by Roger Ebert to Coppola in the 2001 Cannes Festival (which is also required viewing), Deleted scenes, a featurette that explains the birth of 5.1 sound, the music of Apocalypse, the color palette, the editing and much much more. Disc three: This disc is exclusive to this release which includes the documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (in HD). Filmed by Eleanor Coppola during the production of the film, this documentary is one of the finest ever produced. You can watch the film and this documentary and you will not only know how the film was made but know first-hand all the troubles that Coppola faced and his slow descent into madness and obsession to finish the movie. This documentary should be seen by every film student and fans of the film everywhere. Also included in this disc are marketing material, storyboard galleries, photo archives and more. This package also includes a nice collector's booklet with annotations by Coppola. Closing thoughts: Apocalypse Now is a classic film that is a must-own and deserves a top spot in any film library. Lionsgate and Coppola have done a 5 star release that no one should miss. With an outstanding restoration, 2 versions of the film and hours upon hours of bonus material including the excellent documentary Hearts of Darness, this set is one of the best Blu-Ray releases ever and is highly recommended for everyone. Read more

Great picture and sound. Order was delivered quickly and well packaged Read more