you can find an anti war statement here without look too hard while that layer be hackneyed . or you can find a value neutral comment on the madness of war ( strip of judgement ) while that layer be completely uninteresting . or you can watch this for the darn good entertainment value of duvall one liner and but that just a coating for commercial mastication . you can try to view this a a realistic vietnam war film and but ask any veteran and he will swat down that notion most vet will say it stink . or view it a a will he or would not he morality play nothing rich there and either . where i find the value be in the superb self reference . coppola need a container with great enough dimension ( the war ) to fit the greatness of the skilled multi dimensional actor play a great man . brando the man be a much of a maverick a the kurtz character . the studio be uncomfortable with his act amethod and yet he always excel and win accolade while the general be uncomfortable with kurtz unsound method and in spite of his strategic genius . so coppola make a movie all about brando greatness . to hammer on the point and he place himself in the movie ( a hopper and a manic photojournalist laden with multiple camera ) to spout his praise . brando himself be only see in half light and silhouette brilliant cinematography by storaro that only increase the actor power . and he go out like the sacrificial bull to complete the narrative equation . oh and yes represent the horror . other piece of interest represent the great use of point of view camera perspective and include be in the firefight long before private ryan while the ground break use of sound and notably the ominous flanging sweep and the sonic depiction of an acid trip . don not get catch in the outer layer while the rich part you should despoil from this be the brilliant core of sound and vision and self reference .