Apocalypse Now: Final Cut

Saw the new Apocalypse Now: Final Cut last night on IMAX

Wow it was an experience!

IMAX really does the justice to the amazing sound and restored resolution.

Worth seeing if you can. It’s on limited release around the country. Only one showing at our local Odeon 😕 I guess a 3 hour trippy thoughtful movie is not what the Marvel generation enjoy.

And yes, I wore the t-shirt…

shouldn’t this be in the “Stop remaking every film you festering malodorous…etc etc” ranty thread?

Nah, it’s not a remake as such. It’s a 40th Anniversary 4K remaster from the original negatives with sound recreated from the original six track print masters.

There are a few additional scenes over the original 1979 theatrical release, but actually slightly less than Redux.

But mostly the pleasure was just experiencing such an epic film on IMAX.

There are a few additional scenes over the original 1979 theatrical release, but actually slightly less than Redux.

That can only be good because the Redux was a bloated, indulgent disaster. Did they cut out that dreadful love scene with the plantation owner? It ended up on the cutting room floor for good reason first time around.

Wow – that really is limited! Would love to see this at imax but nothing near Manc by the look of it.

I love Apocalypse Now. A lot. If I could find it on over here in an IMAX in 4k remastered, etc, etc. I would go watch it. I would make time for it in my day…

I will now go and check my local IMAX cinema listings

I’ve never made it all the way through that movie.

The minute Brando appears I lose interest.

There’s just something about him that grates on me in every film he’s ever been in.

Conversely, I’ll normally sit through any old shite if Robert Duvall* is in it (i.e Days of Thunder)

*or Ed Harris. or Scott Glenn. Weird eh?

Struggling to find a list of cinema’s it is showing at. Am I a bit fick?

Did they cut out that dreadful love scene with the plantation owner?

No – and you’re right it is a slightly odd shift of tone.

I can sort of see why it is there because the plantation is midpoint in the “time travel” of the river and there is some great dialogue in there that resonates with Willard’s personal struggle: “You are fighting for the biggest nothing in history.”, “I don’t know whether I’m an animal or a god.” and “There are two of you. One that kills and one that loves.”

Film geek fact.

One of the reasons films used to take so long to get to vhs in the old days was they were re-cut for the small screen. Things like close-ups or huge wide epic shots look very different on a cinema screen vs a 4:3 CRT in the corner of the living room. Which is why there’s so much source material to make bad re-releases.

Swings and roundabouts, TV’s are a lot bigger than they used to be so watching the full theatrical cut at home won’t look as odd as it would letterboxed on a 21″ 640×480 screen.

The minute Brando appears I lose interest.

That really shouldn’t put you off – he’s barely in it! A shadow, a mumble and a lot of menace.

@willard – appropriate username 🙂

If I could find it on over here

Don’t know where you are willard but try…
https://apocalypsenowfinalcut.com/showtimes-%26-locations

Struggling to find a list of cinema’s it is showing at. Am I a bit fick?

Sorry looks like it might have been one day only across the whole UK!

https://www.apocalypsenowfilm.co.uk/showtimes

That sucks!

Edit: actually there are still a few more dates.

Conversely, I’ll normally sit through any old shite if Robert Duvall* is in it (i.e Days of Thunder)

*or Ed Harris. or Scott Glenn. Weird eh?

Chin fetish?

Astronaut fetish is more likely.

Incidentally, I’ve seen versions of that film a few times (in various states of relaxation) and last night was the first I realised that “Mr Clean” is played by Laurence Fishburne. Apparently he was 14 at the time, but told Coppola he was 18 so he could get the part.

Laurence Fishburne

I loved him in Event Horizon. He played an astronaut of some kind.

Yeah that’s him. Lovely chin.

Thanks Graham S. Much as I would like to see this a 100 mile round trip is out. :0(

Nice PSA, the day after the screenings! 😆

Brilliant film. Can’t imagine how awesome it would be to hear The Doors on IMax. Dammit! Was at my local(ish) cinema too. I was sat at home watching Kill Bill 1 & 2.

It was a brilliant film but would only bother if it was the original  – redux was truly awful and I avoid anything with ‘XXXXX cut’ in the title, especially a classic like this.

I avoid anything with ‘XXXXX cut’ in the title, especially a classic like this.

I thought Blade Runner directors cut was an improvement on the original release.

redux was truly awful

The plantation scene has already been mentioned.

The only other bit that really struck me as odd was Willard stealing Kilgore’s surfboard.

That seemed really out of character for Willard (presumably meant to be him trying to bond with the younger crew) and it took away from the previously awesome Kilgore by adding comic relief of him flying about demanding his board back (a further commentary on his absurd misuse of hardware and the lack of focus on the American side, granted, but it still felt very out of place).

I avoid anything with ‘XXXXX cut’ in the title, especially a classic like this

I know what you mean – but this was a chance to see it fresh, in incredible detail and sound. To be honest I’d probably have been just as happy with a straight restoration of the theatrical release but it was interesting to see more of Coppola’s vision.

Ages ago there was a ‘making of” (possibly by Coppola offspring) about the general themes, I hadn’t realised til then that the various stages were all enveloped in a different colour wash, as the journey progresses.

kcal

Subscriber

@willard – appropriate username 🙂

Well, now you know where it came from…

GrahamS, Sweden. Sadly no screenings here.

Thank goodness I am not the only one who thinks the whole plantation scene deserved to be on the cutting room floor.

I love Brandos scenes, proper bonkers which reinforces just how mad war is.

That really shouldn’t put you off – he’s barely in it! A shadow, a mumble and a lot of menace.

“The horror!”

Those words make me giggle every time, and I’m not sure why! 😂

never get off the boat

Ages ago there was a ‘making of”…

Heart of Darkness is the one to watch