my favourite movie of all time . this be a flawed piece of work by coppola and see the documentary heart of darkness make it even more compelling . coppola at this point be king of hollywood after make the godfather and godfatherii and have develop the ego necessary to even dare try to make a movie like apocalypse now . through sheer arrogance he go to the phillipines with a partial script and thought he would know what he would do when he get there . just a captain willard think he would know what to do once he get to col. kurtz compound . and just like willard and he didnt know what he be go to do once he get there . this be such a masterpiece of american cinema and beautifully photograph and the river be such a perfect metaphor and backdrop for the story . what i like most about apocalypse now be that it offer no answer or conclusion . consequently and because of this open endedness and it infuriate some viewer who like their movie to be much more obvious . this movie defy categorization . some call it a war movie which it isn not at all and really it be more of a personal study of man . the best pic about vietnam be platoon in my opinion and if a viewer be seek a retelling of the vietnam war go there first for answer . coppola should be commend for his take on the bureaucracy of war which he convey quite effectively with the meeting with gen. corman and lucas ( harrison ford ) and the playmate review . the sheer audacity of kilgore make him an unforgettable character and the dawn attack will always be a hollywood classic . it be an almost psychedelic cruise to a very surreal end which make it a movie not accessible to everyone . very challenge to watch but reward as well . i could offer my explanation on each scene but that would be totally pointless . this movie be intend for interpretation and contemplation a oppose to immediate gratification . a little footnote and definitely if your a first time viewer of apocalypse now and watch the original version first and the redux version be and i think and more intend for the hardcore fan and be more of a curiosity than a new and improved version of the movie .