Apocalypse Now (1979)

Explicit content warning

09/16/22 • 131 min

1 Listener

One of the first big-budget Vietnam War films from the US, the production of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic was quite a war in its own right.

The shooting was fraught with issues, including filming in the Philippines where rebels interrupted the work regularly, Coppola putting $7 million of his own funds on the line, and the usual complications that come with the jungle territory, like typhoons.

Add to that a main actor who almost died during filming (Martin Sheen) and a bigger than life star who was...let’s say less than professional (Marlon Brando), and you have quite the interesting tale before you even get to the plot of the film.
Surreal and disturbing, Captain Willard’s journey into this adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” is a visual spectacle of men losing their grip on sanity that takes the audience into the unknown. The infamous Colonel Kurtz awaits at the end of the journey, and Willard has orders to eliminate him “with extreme prejudice”.

Join us as we venture upriver in our PBR and discuss this award-winning epic!

Next Episode: Mister Roberts (1955)

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warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #Vietnam

One of the first big-budget Vietnam War films from the US, the production of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic was quite a war in its own right.

Join us as we venture upriver in our PBR and discuss this award-winning epic!

Next Episode: Mister Roberts (1955)

warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #Vietnam

Previous Episode

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Finishing in second place for our third poll in a row earned this film its rightful spot in the Danger Close catalogue.

Set in a Japanese prison camp in Thailand in 1943, it pits the principled Lt Col Nicholson (Alec Guinness) against the ruthless camp commandant Col Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) in a battle of character and wit. This fictional story, loosely based on real events, won seven Academy Awards, including David Lean’s first Oscar for Best Director.

So whistle while you march to join us as we discuss this world-famous film and its epic story!

Next Episode: Apocalypse Now (1979)

warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #WWII

Next Episode

Mister Roberts (1955)

A classic example of the once popular "Service Comedy" genre, this hit film was adapted from a hit stage play, in turn adapted from a hit novel. Henry Fonda reprises his role from the stage play as the titular Lieutenant (j.g.) Roberts, alongside a young and hilarious Jack Lemmon playing Ensign Pulver, and our first time with James Cagney as the insufferable Captain guarding his beloved palm tree.

Almost none of the actors are age appropriate for their roles, and some of the humor lands firmly in the “cringe” zone, but there is still plenty of merit in this war film sex comedy about the crew of a cargo ship dying from boredom and cabin fever in the safe area of the pacific during the waning days of World War II.

Join us for this comedy classic!

Next Episode: The Hunt for Red October (1990)