Apocalypse Now

{{Short description|1979 war film directed by Francis Ford Coppola}} {{Other uses}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox film | name = Apocalypse Now | image = Apocalypse Now poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster by Bob Peak | director = Francis Coppola | writer = {{Plainlist|  * John Milius * Francis Coppola }} {{Infobox|decat=yes|child=yes|label1=Narration by|data1=Michael Herr}} | based_on =  | producer = Francis Coppola | starring = {{Plainlist| * Marlon Brando * Robert Duvall * Martin Sheen * Frederic Forrest * Albert Hall * Sam Bottoms * Larry Fishburne * Dennis Hopper }} | music = {{Plainlist| * Carmine Coppola * Francis Coppola }} | cinematography = Vittorio Storaro | editing = {{Plainlist| * Richard Marks * Walter Murch * Gerald B. Greenberg * Lisa Fruchtman }} | studio = Omni Zoetrope | distributor = United Artists | released = {{Film date|1979|05|19|Cannes|ref1=<ref name=var/>|1979|08|15|United States}} | runtime = {{Plainlist| * 147 minutes (70 mm) * 153 minutes (35 mm)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/apocalypse-now-1970-4 | title=Apocalypse Now | work=British Board of Film Classification | access-date=December 20, 2014 | archive-date=April 2, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170259/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/apocalypse-now-1970-4 | url-status=dead }} Retrieved December 3, 2017</ref> }} | country = United States | language = English | budget = $31.5 million<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/02/movies/coppola-risks-all-on-22-million-movie.html |title=Coppola Risks All On $22 Million Movie |first=Aljean |last=Harmetz |work=The New York Times |date=February 2, 1981}}</ref><ref name="Appelo">{{cite web |first=Tim |last=Appelo |title=Telluride: Francis Ford Coppola Spills 'Apocalypse Now' Secrets on 35th Anniversary |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telluride-francis-ford-coppola-spills-729281 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902041711/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/telluride-francis-ford-coppola-spills-729281 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 30, 2014 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Apocalypse-Now#tab=summary |title=Apocalypse Now (1979) |work=The Numbers |access-date=September 27, 2024}}</ref> | gross = $150 million{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=132}}<ref name=HOD>{{cite news |first=Hal |last=Hinson |authorlink=Hal Hinson |title='Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heartsofdarknessafilmmakersapocalypserhinson_a0a731.htm |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 17, 1992 |access-date=August 1, 2021 |archive-date=October 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201004150418/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heartsofdarknessafilmmakersapocalypserhinson_a0a731.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/francis-ford-coppola-apocalypse-now-megalopolis-cannes-1235878320/ |title=For Francis Ford Coppola's Go-for-Broke Movies, All Roads Lead to Cannes |first=Thomas |last=Doherty |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 22, 2024}}</ref> }} '''''Apocalypse Now''''' is a 1979 American psychological epic war film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola (credited as Francis Coppola). The screenplay, written by Coppola and John Milius, with narration by Michael Herr, is loosely inspired by the 1899 novella ''Heart of Darkness'' by Joseph Conrad, with the setting changed from late 19th-century Congo to the Vietnam War. The film follows a river journey from South Vietnam into Cambodia undertaken by Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), who is on a secret mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), a renegade Special Forces officer who is accused of murder and presumed insane. The ensemble cast also features Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper, G. D. Spradlin and Harrison Ford.

Milius became interested in adapting ''Heart of Darkness'' for a Vietnam War setting in the late 1960s, and initially began developing the film with Coppola as producer and George Lucas as director. After Lucas became unavailable, Coppola took over directorial control, and was influenced by Werner Herzog's ''Aguirre, the Wrath of God'' (1972) in his approach to the material. Initially set to be a five-month shoot in the Philippines starting in March 1976, a series of problems lengthened it to over a year. These problems included expensive sets being destroyed by severe weather, Brando arriving on set overweight and completely unprepared, and Sheen having a breakdown and suffering a near-fatal heart attack on location. After photography was finally finished in May 1977, the release was postponed several times while Coppola edited over a million feet of film. Many of these difficulties are chronicled in the documentary ''Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse'' (1991).

''Apocalypse Now'' was honored with the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered unfinished. When it was finally released on August 15, 1979, by United Artists, it performed well at the box office, grossing $80 million in the United States and Canada and $150 million worldwide. Initial reviews were mixed; while Vittorio Storaro's cinematography was widely acclaimed, several critics found Coppola's handling of the story's major themes anticlimactic and intellectually disappointing. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Coppola), and Best Supporting Actor (Duvall); it went on to win Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

''Apocalypse Now'' has been assessed as Coppola's ''magnum opus'' and retrospectively considered one of the greatest films ever made. In 2000, the film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the U.S. Library of Congress as "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". Coppola later released ''Apocalypse Now Redux,'' an extended re-edit of the film that contains multiple new scenes, in 2001. Another re-edit, ''Apocalypse Now Final Cut'', was released in 2019 and is Coppola's preferred version of the film.

== Plot ==  {{Hatnote|''This summary excludes events seen only in the'' Redux ''or the'' Final Cut.}} In 1969, during the Vietnam War, jaded MACV-SOG operative Captain Benjamin L. Willard is summoned to I Field Force headquarters in Nha Trang. The officers there tell him that U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel Walter E. Kurtz is waging a brutal war against North Vietnamese Army, Viet Cong, and Khmer Rouge forces without permission from his commanders. Kurtz is based at a remote jungle outpost in eastern Cambodia, where he commands American, Montagnard, and local Khmer militia troops who worship him. Willard is ordered to "terminate [Kurtz's] command... with extreme prejudice." He joins a U.S. Navy river patrol boat (PBR) commanded by the Chief Petty Officer Phillips, with crewmen Lance Johnson, "Chef" Hicks, and "Mr. Clean" Miller to quietly navigate up the Nùng River to Kurtz's outpost.

Before reaching the coastal mouth of the Nùng, they rendezvous with the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, a helicopter-borne air assault unit of the 1st Cavalry Division commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, to coordinate safe entry into the river. Kilgore hasn't been briefed on Willard's mission but becomes more engaged after discovering that Lance, a well-known fellow surfer, is with him. Kilgore agrees to escort the boat through the Nùng's Viet Cong-held coastal mouth and a full-scale air assault is executed on the village with "Ride of the Valkyries" <ref>Reporting on the 1941 Battle of Crete, the Die Deutsche Wochenschau newsreel of 1940-06-04 used ''Walkürenritt'' as soundtrack to Junkers Ju 52 airplanes with paratroopers approaching the island at dawn in low flight over the Mediterranean Sea - https://archive.org/details/1941-06-04-Die-Deutsche-Wochenschau-561 starting at 12:27</ref> playing on loudspeakers.

Resisting Kilgore's attempts to convince Lance to surf with him on the newly conquered beach, Willard gathers the sailors to board the PBR and continue their mission. Going ashore to find mangos, Willard and Chef are surprised by a tiger, leading Chef to have a brief mental breakdown. Willard starts seeing cracks form in the crew. Tensions rise when Willard insists on the priority of his mission over the Chief's usual patrol objectives. Willard partially reveals his orders to convince the Chief of the mission's importance.

As Willard studies Kurtz's dossier, he is shocked by Kurtz's mid-career sacrifice by leaving a prestigious Pentagon assignment to join Special Forces, all but destroying his chances for career advancement. At a remote U.S. Army outpost, the boat receives a dispatch bag containing both official and personal mail. Willard learns that another MACV-SOG operative, Special Forces Captain Richard Colby, was sent on an earlier mission identical to Willard's and has since joined Kurtz.

Lance activates a smoke grenade while under the influence of LSD, attracting enemy fire, causing Mr. Clean's death. Further upriver, the Chief is impaled by a spear thrown by Montagnards and attempts to kill Willard with the spear point protruding from his chest, but Willard overpowers him.

Willard reveals his mission to Chef, now commanding the PBR. They arrive at Kurtz's outpost, a Khmer temple teeming with Montagnards and strewn with the remains of victims. Willard, Chef, and Lance are greeted by an American photojournalist, who praises Kurtz's genius. Willard encounters Colby and five other American soldiers among the Montagnards. He sets out with Lance to find Kurtz, leaving Chef with orders to call in an airstrike on the outpost if the two do not return.

In the camp, Willard is questioned by Kurtz, then locked in a bamboo cage. One night Kurtz appears and drops Chef's severed head into Willard's lap. Willard is released, and warned not to attempt escape. Kurtz lectures him on his theories of war, praising the ruthlessness of the Viet Cong, and asks Willard to tell his son the truth about his mutiny. As the Montagnards ceremonially kill a water buffalo, Willard assassinates Kurtz with a machete. Kurtz's followers watch Willard depart with Kurtz's writings, and bow down to him. Willard leads Lance back to the PBR, and they depart.

== Cast == {{About||a list of the rest of the cast members not included in the 153-minute version of the film that was released in theaters|Apocalypse Now Redux#Cast}} * Marlon Brando as Colonel Walter Kurtz, a highly decorated United States Army Special Forces officer with the 5th Special Forces Group who goes rogue. He runs his own military unit based in Cambodia and is feared as much by the U.S. military as by the North Vietnamese Army, Viet Cong, and Khmer Rouge. * Robert Duvall as Lieutenant Colonel William "Bill" Kilgore, commander of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment and surfing fanatic. His character is a composite of several real-life officers, including Colonels David Hackworth and John Stockton, Lieutenant General Hank "Gunfighter" Emerson, General James F. Hollingsworth and George Patton IV, also a West Point officer whom Robert Duvall knew.<ref>French, Karl (1998) ''Apocalypse Now'', Bloomsbury, London. {{ISBN|978-0-7475-3804-2}}</ref> Duvall reports that he was upset that a scene where Kilgore saves the life of a Vietnamese baby during the beach assault was cut by Coppola, as he felt that it added to the complexity of his character.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 23, 2010|title=Robert Duvall (Apocalypse Now), 1991|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWAkTFoKcpE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/ZWAkTFoKcpE |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=April 8, 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The scene is included in the Redux version. Duvall said that he found that the version of the character as originally written was too over-the-top, and asked Coppola for permission to change the character.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wtop.com/entertainment/2016/10/robert-duvall-dishes-on-career-at-washington-west-film-fest-in-va/ | title=Robert Duvall dishes on career at Washington West Film Fest in Va | date=October 18, 2016 | access-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106100539/https://wtop.com/entertainment/2016/10/robert-duvall-dishes-on-career-at-washington-west-film-fest-in-va/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Duvall also asked people in the military on how to portray the character as a tough unflinching officer.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a28704/robert-duvall-interview/ | title=Robert Duvall Does Not Flinch, Not Now, Not Ever | date=May 16, 2014 | access-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106100537/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a28704/robert-duvall-interview/ | url-status=live }}</ref> * Martin Sheen as U.S. Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard, a veteran assassin who is serving his third tour in Vietnam. The soldier who escorts him at the start of the film recites that Willard is from the 505th Battalion, of the elite 173rd Airborne Brigade, assigned to MACV-SOG. The opening scene—which features Willard staggering around his hotel room, culminating in him punching a mirror—was filmed on Sheen's 36th birthday when he was heavily intoxicated. The mirror that he broke was not a prop and caused his hand to bleed profusely, but he insisted on continuing the scene, despite Coppola's concerns.<ref name="Appelo"/><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/martin-sheen-heart-of-darkness-heart-of-gold-80879/ | title=Martin Sheen: Heart of Darkness Heart of Gold | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=November 1979 | access-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106100741/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/martin-sheen-heart-of-darkness-heart-of-gold-80879/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Sheen has said this performance where he writhes and smears himself in blood was spontaneous and was an exorcism of his longstanding alcoholism.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 23, 2010|title=Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFiFQZeYeTU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/AFiFQZeYeTU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=April 9, 2021|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moviefone.com/news/the-16-craziest-things-that-happened-during-the-filming-of-apocalypse-now/|title=The 16 Craziest Things That Happened During the Filming of 'Apocalypse Now'|first1=Sharon|last1=KnolleAugust 15|first2=2019-9 Min|last2=Read|website=Moviefone|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=November 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102081351/https://www.moviefone.com/news/the-16-craziest-things-that-happened-during-the-filming-of-apocalypse-now/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/martin-sheen-begged-coppola-film-his-bloodied-demons-apocalypse-now-breakdown-1305611/ | title=Martin Sheen Begged Coppola to Film His Bloodied 'Apocalypse Now' Breakdown | website=The Hollywood Reporter | date=August 3, 2020 | access-date=October 26, 2023 | archive-date=October 26, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026120233/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/martin-sheen-begged-coppola-film-his-bloodied-demons-apocalypse-now-breakdown-1305611/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Sheen's brother Joe Estevez stood in for Willard in some scenes and performed the character's voiceover narrations while his son Charlie appears in the film as an extra. Both went uncredited.<ref>{{Citation |last=DeadBySense |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR80zXPE5i4 |title=Joe Estevez shares an incredible story. | date=June 2, 2008 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307015553/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR80zXPE5i4 |url-status=live }}</ref> * Albert Hall as Chief Petty Officer George Phillips. The Chief runs a tight ship and frequently clashes with Willard over authority. * Frederic Forrest as Engineman 3rd Class Jay "Chef" Hicks, a tightly wound aspiring chef and ''saucier'' from New Orleans. His vocational training was interrupted by his draft notice. Now, Hicks is horrified by his new surroundings. * Sam Bottoms as Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Lance B. Johnson, a former professional surfer from Orange County, California. In the bridge scene, he mentions having taken LSD. As the film progresses, Lance becomes increasingly strung out on drugs. He is completely silent in the last act of the film, entranced by the Montagnard tribe and participating in the sacrifice ritual. * Laurence Fishburne (credited as "Larry Fishburne") as Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Tyrone "Mr. Clean" Miller, the cocky 17-year-old South Bronx-born crewmember. Fishburne was only 14 when shooting began in March 1976, as he had lied about his age in order to be cast in the role.{{sfn|Cowie|2001|p=19}} The production took so long, he was 18 by the time the film was released in August 1979. * Dennis Hopper as an American photojournalist, a manic disciple of Kurtz who greets Willard. According to the DVD commentary of ''Redux'', the character is based on Sean Flynn, a famed news correspondent who disappeared in Cambodia in 1970. The character may also have been partially inspired by the British-Australian photojournalist Tim Page.<ref>Gaby Wood, [https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/sep/23/features.magazine27 "Mourning Vietnam"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209230454/https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/sep/23/features.magazine27 |date=February 9, 2017 }}, ''The Observer'', September 23, 2001.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Storied Vietnam War photographer Tim Page dies, inspired 'Apocalypse Now' character|url=https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2022-08-25/storied-vietnam-war-photographer-tim-page-dies-inspired-apocalypse-now-character|website=Los Angeles Times|date=2022-08-25|access-date=2026-01-31|language=en-US}}</ref> * G. D. Spradlin as Lieutenant General R. Corman, military intelligence (G-2), an authoritarian officer who fears Kurtz and wants him removed. The character is named after filmmaker Roger Corman, who gave Coppola his first directorial work. * Harrison Ford as Colonel G. Lucas, aide to Corman and an Army intelligence specialist who gives Willard his orders. The character is named for George Lucas, who had directed Ford in ''American Graffiti'' and ''Star Wars'', and with whom Coppola had founded American Zoetrope in 1969. Lucas was also intended to direct ''Apocalypse Now'' before getting busy making ''Star Wars''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/what-if-george-lucas-directed-apocalypse-now/ |title=George Lucas Was Originally Supposed to Direct 'Apocalypse Now' - What Would That Have Looked Like? |first=Matthew |last=Mosley |work=Collider |date=August 10, 2022 |access-date=August 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/harrison-ford-apocalypse-now-george-lucas/ |title=Harrison Ford's Appearance in 'Apocalypse Now' Is an Homage to George Lucas |first=Thomas |last=Butt |work=Collider |date=April 1, 2024 |access-date=April 1, 2024}}</ref> * Jerry Ziesmer as Jerry Moore, a CIA officer in civilian clothing who sits in on Willard's initial briefing. His only line in the film is "terminate with extreme prejudice." Ziesmer was also the film's assistant director. * Scott Glenn as Captain Richard M. Colby, previously assigned Willard's current mission before he defected to Kurtz's private army and sent a message to his wife, intercepted by the U.S. Army, telling her that he was never coming back and to sell everything they owned, including their children. * James Keane as Kilgore's Gunner, a man ready to battle to the tune of ''Ride of the Valkyries''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kantor |first=Jonathan H. |date=September 28, 2022 |title=The Only Actors Still Alive From The Cast Of Apocalypse Now |url=https://www.looper.com/1030381/the-only-actors-still-alive-from-the-cast-of-apocalypse-now/ |access-date=November 2, 2022 |website=Looper |language=en-US |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102000515/https://www.looper.com/1030381/the-only-actors-still-alive-from-the-cast-of-apocalypse-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> * Kerry Rossall as Mike from San Diego, a soldier who surfs against incoming attacks.<ref name=":0" /> * Cynthia Wood as ''Playboy'' Playmate of the Year, Colleen Camp and Linda Beatty as Playmates of the Month. Wood was the 1974 Playmate of the Year, and Beatty was the August 1976 Playmate of the Month. * Bill Graham as Agent, the announcer in charge of the Playmates' show. * R. Lee Ermey (''uncredited'') as a helicopter pilot. Ermey was himself a former USMC drill instructor and Vietnam War veteran, and later achieved fame for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 film ''Full Metal Jacket''. * Tom Mason as Supply Sergeant * Jack Thibeau as Soldier in Trench

Co-writer, producer, and director Francis Ford Coppola makes an uncredited cameo playing a TV news director filming beach combat; he shouts "Don't look at the camera, go by like you're fighting!". Additionally, cinematographer Vittorio Storaro plays the cameraman by Coppola's side.

== Adaptation == Although inspired by Joseph Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness'', it is not a direct adaptation. The novella, based on Conrad's experience as a steamboat captain in Africa, is set in the Congo Free State during the 19th century.<ref>Murfin, Ross C (ed.) (1989): ''Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness. A Case Study in Contemporary Criticism''. Boston: St. Martin's Press, pp. 3–16.</ref> Kurtz and Marlow (whose corresponding character in the movie is Capt. Willard) work for a Belgian trading company that brutally exploits its native African workers.

After arriving at Kurtz's outpost, Marlow concludes that Kurtz has gone insane and is lording over a small tribe as a god. The novella ends with Kurtz dying on the trip back and the narrator musing about the darkness of the human psyche: "the heart of an immense darkness." In the novella, Marlow is the pilot of a river boat sent to collect ivory from Kurtz's outpost, only gradually becoming infatuated with Kurtz. In fact, when he discovers Kurtz in terrible health, Marlow makes an effort to bring him home safely (which Willard also does in Milius's draft screenplay). In the film, Willard is an assassin dispatched to kill Kurtz. Nevertheless, the depiction of Kurtz as a god-like leader of a tribe of natives, Kurtz's written exclamation "Exterminate all the brutes!" (which appears in the film as "Drop the bomb. Exterminate them all!") and his last words "The horror! The horror!" are taken from Conrad's novella.

Coppola argues that many episodes in the film—the spear and arrow attack on the boat, for example—respect the spirit of the novella and in particular its critique of the concepts of civilization and progress. Other episodes adapted by Coppola—the Playboy Playmates' (Sirens) exit, the lost souls ("take me home") attempting to reach the boat, and Kurtz's tribe of (white-faced) natives parting the canoes (gates of Hell) for Willard (with Chef and Lance) to enter the camp—are likened to Virgil and "The Inferno" (''Divine Comedy'') by Dante. While Coppola replaced European colonialism with American interventionism, the message of Conrad's book is still clear.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyberpat.com/essays/coppola.html |title=Heart of Darkness & Apocalypse Now: A comparative analysis of novella and film |publisher=Cyberpat.com |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103190217/http://www.cyberpat.com/essays/coppola.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

It is often speculated that Coppola's interpretation of the Kurtz character was modeled after Tony Poe, a highly decorated Vietnam-era paramilitary officer from the CIA's Special Activities Division.<ref>Leary, William L. "Death of a Legend." Air America Archive. Retrieved June 10, 2007.</ref> Poe's actions in Vietnam and in the "Secret War" in neighboring Laos, in particular his highly unorthodox and often savage methods of waging war, show many similarities to those of the fictional Kurtz; for example, Poe was known to drop severed heads from helicopters into enemy-controlled villages as a form of psychological warfare and use human ears to record the number of enemies his indigenous troops had killed. He would send these ears back to his superiors as proof of the efficacy of his operations deep inside Laos.<ref>Warner, Roger. Shooting at the Moon.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ehrlich|first=Richard S.|date=July 8, 2003|title=CIA operative stood out in 'secret war' in Laos|url=http://geocities.com/asia_correspondent/laos0307ciaposhepnybp.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806040904/http://geocities.com/asia_correspondent/laos0307ciaposhepnybp.html|archive-date=August 6, 2009|access-date=June 10, 2007|website=Bangkok Post}}</ref> Coppola denies that Poe was a primary influence and says the character was loosely based on Special Forces Colonel Robert Rheault, who was the actual head of 5th Special Forces Group (May to July 1969), and whose 1969 arrest over the murder of suspected double agent Thai Khac Chuyen in Nha Trang generated substantial contemporary news coverage, in the Green Beret Affair,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-11-17/news/agent-provocative/1 |title=Agent Provocative |work=SF Weekly |access-date=May 2, 2009 |last=Isaacs |first=Matt |date=November 17, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612061248/http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-11-17/news/agent-provocative/1 |archive-date=June 12, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> including making public the phrase "terminate with extreme prejudice,"<ref>{{cite news |title=Details of Green Beret Case Are Reported in Saigon |author-link=Terence Smith (journalist) |first=Terence |last=Smith |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 14, 1969 |pages=1–2 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1969/08/14/78391234.pdf|access-date=November 30, 2015 |url-access=subscription |quote=His status as a double agent was reportedly confirmed by the Central Intelligence Agency, which, according to the sources, suggested that he either be isolated or 'terminated with extreme prejudice.' This term is said to be an intelligence euphemism for execution.}}</ref> which was used prominently in the movie.

It is considered that the character of Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore is based on several characters, including John B. Stockton, commander of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam, and infantry general James F. Hollingsworth.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/apocalypse-now-storyboards/ |title=Anatomy of a Scene: Apocalypse Now |date=May 20, 2011 |access-date=October 10, 2020 |archive-date=October 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029072150/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/apocalypse-now-storyboards/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Use of T. S. Eliot's poetry === In the film, shortly before Colonel Kurtz dies, he recites part of T. S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men." The poem is preceded in printed editions by the epigraph "Mistah Kurtz – he dead," a quotation from Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness.''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allpoetry.com/the-hollow-men |title=The Hollow Men by T S Eliot – Famous poems, famous poets. |publisher=All Poetry |date= |accessdate=July 17, 2022 |archive-date=July 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716025119/https://allpoetry.com/the-hollow-men |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two books seen opened on Kurtz's desk in the film are ''From Ritual to Romance'' by Jessie Weston and ''The Golden Bough'' by Sir James Frazer, the two books that Eliot cited as the chief sources and inspiration for his poem "The Waste Land." Eliot's original epigraph for "The Waste Land" was this passage from ''Heart of Darkness,'' which ends with Kurtz's final words:<ref>Davidson, Harriet. "Improper desire: reading ''The Waste Land''" in Anthony David Moody (ed.). ''The Cambridge companion to T. S. Eliot''. Cambridge University Press, 1995, p. 121.</ref>

{{blockquote|text=Did he live his life again in every detail of desire, temptation, and surrender during that supreme moment of complete knowledge? He cried in a whisper at some image, at some vision, – he cried out twice, a cry that was no more than a breath – <div style="text-indent: 4em">"The horror! The horror!"</div> }}

When Willard is first introduced to Dennis Hopper's character, the photojournalist describes his own worth in relation to that of Kurtz with: "I should have been a pair of ragged claws/Scuttling across the floors of silent seas," from "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock."<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/44212/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock|title = The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot|date = August 24, 2021|access-date = May 3, 2021|archive-date = May 4, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210504031849/https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/44212/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrock|url-status = live}}</ref> Additionally, Dennis Hopper's character paraphrases the end of "The Hollow Men" to Martin Sheen's character: "This is the way the fucking world ends! [...] Not with a bang, but with a whimper."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/characters/nm0000454 |title=Apocalypse Now – Dennis Hopper: Photojournalist |website=imdb.com |access-date=October 7, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813080956/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078788/characters/nm0000454 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 }}</ref>

== Production ==

=== Development === While working as an assistant for Francis Ford Coppola on ''The Rain People'' in 1967, filmmaker John Milius was encouraged by his friends George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to write a Vietnam War film.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=2}}<ref name=var/> Milius had wanted to volunteer for the war, and was disappointed when he was rejected for having asthma.<ref>[http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/05/07/an-interview-with-john-milius?page=3 Ken Plume, "Interview with John Milius," IGN, 7 May 2003] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130216063745/http://au.ign.com/articles/2003/05/07/an-interview-with-john-milius?page=3 |date=February 16, 2013 }}. Retrieved January 5, 2012</ref> He came up with the idea for adapting the plot of Joseph Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness'' to the Vietnam War setting. He had read the novel as a teenager and was reminded about it when his college screenwriting professor, Irwin Blacker of USC, mentioned the several unsuccessful attempts to adapt it into a movie. Blacker challenged his class by saying, "No screenwriter has ever perfected a film adaption of Joseph Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness''."<ref name="Cowie1">Cowie 1990, p. 120.</ref><ref name="DeadBySense">{{Citation |last=DeadBySense |title=Apocalypse Now – Interview with John Milius |date=April 5, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4nY2J1gRzg |access-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529185434/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4nY2J1gRzg&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>{{efn|However, filmmaker Carroll Ballard claims that ''Apocalypse Now'' was his idea in 1967 before Milius had written his screenplay. Ballard had a deal with producer Joel Landon and they tried to get the rights to Conrad's book but were unsuccessful. Lucas acquired the rights but failed to tell Ballard and Landon.<ref name="Cowie1" />}}

Coppola gave Milius $15,000 to write the screenplay with the promise of an additional $10,000 if it were green-lit.<ref name="CowieNow3">Cowie 2001, p. 5.</ref><ref name="Medavoy">*Medavoy, Mike with Josh Young, ''You're Only as Good as Your Next One'', Astria, 2002 p 8</ref> Milius says that he wrote the screenplay in 1969,<ref name="Cowie1" /> and an ad for Coppola's company American Zoetrope which appeared in ''Daily Variety'' that year referred to the film as having a "[f]irst draft screenplay complete".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Rare Movie Ads From 120 Years of Variety: ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Chinatown,’ ‘Clueless,’ ‘The Matrix’ and More |url=https://variety.com/gallery/movie-ads-variety-star-wars-chinatown-clueless/graduate68/ |website=Variety |access-date=2025-12-28 |date=28 December 2025}}</ref> Milius wanted to use Conrad's novel as "a sort of allegory. It would have been too simple to have followed the book completely."<ref name="CowieNow3" /> Some sources state that Milius' original title was ''The Psychedelic Soldier,''{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=3}} but Milius disputed this in a 2010 interview, claiming ''Apocalypse Now'' was always the intended title.<ref name="DeadBySense"/> The title ''Apocalypse Now'' was inspired by a button badge popular with hippies during the 1960s that said "Nirvana Now".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68031/17-fascinating-facts-about-apocalypse-now |title=17 Facts About Apocalypse Now On Its 40th Anniversary |work=Mental Floss |date=August 15, 2019 |access-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806141820/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/68031/17-fascinating-facts-about-apocalypse-now |url-status=live }}</ref>

Milius based the character of Willard and some of Kurtz's on a friend of his, Fred Rexer. Rexer claimed to have experienced, first-hand, the scene relayed by Brando's character wherein the arms of villagers are hacked off by the Viet Cong; and that Kurtz was based on Robert B. Rheault, head of Special Forces in Vietnam.<ref>{{cite news|author=Charles Higham|title=Coppola's Vietnam Movie Is a Battle Royal: Francis Ford Coppola's Battle Royal|work=The New York Times|date=May 15, 1977|page=77}}</ref> Scholars have never found any evidence to corroborate Rexer's claim, nor any similar Viet Cong behavior, and consider it an urban legend.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/a/uw.edu/vsg/discussion-networking/vsg-discussion-list-archives/vsg-discussion-2013/apocryphal-viet-cong-attrocity-story |title=Apocryphal Viet-Cong Attrocity Story – Vietnam Studies Group |website=sites.google.com |access-date=December 18, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221104200/https://sites.google.com/a/uw.edu/vsg/discussion-networking/vsg-discussion-list-archives/vsg-discussion-2013/apocryphal-viet-cong-attrocity-story |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~mfreeman/images/Vietnam+Guide+.pdf |title=Welcome to MarkFreemanFilms.com |website=www-rohan.sdsu.edu |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114040631/https://mfreeman.sdsu.edu/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

At one point, Coppola told Milius, "Write every scene you ever wanted to go into that movie",<ref name="Cowie1" /> and he wrote ten drafts, amounting to over a thousand pages.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=7}} He was influenced by an article by Michael Herr, "The Battle for Khe Sanh", which referred to drugs, rock 'n' roll, and people calling airstrikes down on themselves.<ref name="Cowie1" /> He was also inspired by such films as ''Dr. Strangelove''.

Milius says the classic line "Charlie don't surf" was inspired by a comment Ariel Sharon made during the Six-Day War, when he went skin diving after capturing enemy territory and announced, "We're eating their fish." He says the line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning" just came to him.<ref name="can">[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/09/john.milius.movies/index.html Thom Patterson, "Apocalypse writer: Most scripts today 'are garbage' "] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205133713/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/03/09/john.milius.movies/index.html |date=February 5, 2013 }}, CNN, March 9, 2009. Retrieved 2012</ref>

Warner Bros.-Seven Arts acquired the screenplay in 1969 but put it into turnaround.<ref name=AFI>{{AFI film|67464}}</ref><ref name=var/> Milius had no desire to direct the film himself and felt that Lucas was the right person for the job.<ref name="Cowie1" /> Lucas worked with Milius for four years developing the film, while working on other films, including his script for ''Star Wars''.<ref name="thx">{{cite video |people=Lucas, George |year=2004 |title=A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope |medium=DVD |publisher=Warner Bros. Home Video}}</ref> He approached ''Apocalypse Now'' as a black comedy,<ref name=hearn>{{cite book |author=Marcus Hearn |title=The Cinema of George Lucas |publisher=Harry N. Abrams, Inc. |year=2005 |pages=79–80 |isbn=0-8109-4968-7 |location=New York City}}</ref> and intended to shoot it after making ''THX 1138'', with principal photography to start in 1971.<ref name="CowieNow3" /> Lucas's friend and producer Gary Kurtz traveled to the Philippines, scouting suitable locations. They intended to shoot the film both in the rice fields between Stockton and Sacramento, California, and on-location in South Vietnam, on a $2 million budget, cinéma vérité style, using 16 mm cameras, and real soldiers, while the war was still going on.<ref name="Cowie1" /><ref name="thx" /><ref name="Cowie3" /> However, due to the studios' safety concerns and Lucas's involvement with ''American Graffiti'', and later ''Star Wars'', Lucas decided to put the project on hold.<ref name="CowieNow3" /><ref name="thx" />

=== Pre-production === Coppola was drawn to Milius's script, which he described as "a comedy and a terrifying psychological horror story", and acquired the rights.<ref name="Cowie2">Cowie 1990, p. 121.</ref> In the spring of 1974, he discussed with friends and co-producers Fred Roos and Gray Frederickson the idea of producing the film.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=6}} He asked Lucas, then Milius, to direct it, but both were involved with other projects{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=6}} (Lucas in particular had gotten the go-ahead to make ''Star Wars'').<ref name="Cowie1" /> Coppola was determined to make the film and pressed ahead himself. He envisioned it as a definitive statement on the nature of modern war, the contrasts between good and evil, and the impact of American culture on the rest of the world. He said he wanted to take the audience "through an unprecedented experience of war and have them react as much as those who had gone through the war".<ref name="Cowie2" />

In 1975, Coppola hoped for cooperation from the United States Army and scouted military locations in Georgia and Florida,<ref name="var" /> but the Army was not interested. While promoting ''The Godfather Part II'' in Australia, Coppola and his producers scouted possible locations for ''Apocalypse Now'' in Cairns in northern Queensland, as it had jungle resembling Vietnam's,{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=12}} and in Malaysia.<ref name=var/> He decided to make the film in the Philippines for its access to American military equipment and cheap labor. Roos, who also served as production coordinator, had already made two low-budget films there for Monte Hellman, and had friends and contacts there.<ref name="Cowie2" /> Frederickson went to the Philippines and had dinner with President Ferdinand Marcos to formalize support for the production and to allow them to use some of the country's military equipment.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=16}} Coppola spent the last few months of 1975 revising Milius's script and negotiating with United Artists to secure financing for the production. Milius claimed it would be the "most violent film ever made".<ref name=var/> According to Frederickson, the budget was estimated between $12 and 14 million.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=13}} Coppola's American Zoetrope obtained $7.5 million from United Artists for domestic distribution rights and $8 million from international sales, on the assumption that the film would star Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen and Gene Hackman.<ref name="Cowie2" />

=== Casting === Steve McQueen was Coppola's first choice to play Willard, but McQueen did not want to leave America for three weeks and Coppola was unwilling to pay his $3 million fee.<ref name=var/> When McQueen dropped out in February 1976, Coppola had to return $5 million of the $21 million he had raised.<ref name=var/> Al Pacino was also offered the role, but he too did not want to be away that long, and was afraid of falling ill in the jungle as he had done in the Dominican Republic during the shooting of ''The Godfather Part II''.<ref name="Cowie2" /> Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford and James Caan were approached to play either Kurtz or Willard.<ref name="Cowie3">Cowie 1990, p. 122.</ref> Keith Carradine, Tommy Lee Jones, Nick Nolte, and Frederic Forrest were also considered for Willard.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Tapp |first=Tom |title=Review: 'The Apocalypse Now Book' |date=May 25, 2001 |magazine=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2001/more/reviews/the-apocalypse-now-book-1200468131/ |access-date=June 27, 2017 |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813220029/http://variety.com/2001/more/reviews/the-apocalypse-now-book-1200468131/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2015 ''The Hollywood Reporter'' interview, Clint Eastwood revealed that Coppola offered him the role of Willard, but much like McQueen and Pacino, he did not want to be away from America for a long time. He also revealed that McQueen tried to convince him to play Willard; McQueen wanted to play Kurtz because he would have to work for only two weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clint-eastwood-describes-his-death-781618 |title=Clint Eastwood Describes His Near-Death Experience, Says 'American Sniper' Is Anti-War (Exclusive) |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 16, 2015 |access-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311200251/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/clint-eastwood-describes-his-death-781618 |url-status=live }}</ref> Coppola offered the lead role of Willard to Robert De Niro, but he declined due to other commitments.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/the-interview-robert-de-niro-18335 | title=The Interview: Robert de Niro | access-date=October 30, 2023 | archive-date=October 30, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030173810/https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/the-interview-robert-de-niro-18335 | url-status=live }}</ref>

Coppola also offered the role of Colonel Kurtz to Orson Welles and Lee Marvin, both of whom turned it down.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/188688/0/Apocalypse-Now.html |title=Apocalypse Now |website=Turner Classic Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040858/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/188688%7C0/Apocalypse-Now.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/what-if-lee-marvin-starred-in-a-brando-less-apocalypse-now/ |title=What If Lee Marvin Starred in a Brando-less Apocalypse Now? |website=Collider |last=Bettinger |first=Brendan |date=April 28, 2010 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183942/https://collider.com/what-if-lee-marvin-starred-in-a-brando-less-apocalypse-now/amp/ |archive-date=July 9, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-31-ca-28638-story.html |title='Apocalypse,' Now and Then |work=Los Angeles Times |last=Goldstein |first=Patrick |date=July 31, 2001 |access-date=October 8, 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927115445/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jul-31-ca-28638-story.html?_amp=true |archive-date=September 27, 2019 }}</ref>

Coppola and Roos had been impressed by Martin Sheen's screen test for Michael in ''The Godfather'' and he became the second choice to play Willard, but he had already accepted another project. Harvey Keitel was cast in the role based on his work in Martin Scorsese's ''Mean Streets''.{{Sfn|Cowie|2001|p=18}}<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/nov/02/artsfeatures.londonfilmfestival20011 | title=Typhoons, binges... Then a heart attack | newspaper=The Guardian | date=November 2, 2001 | access-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106015141/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/nov/02/artsfeatures.londonfilmfestival20011 | url-status=live }}</ref> By early 1976, Coppola had persuaded Marlon Brando to play Kurtz, for a fee of $2 million for a month's work on location in September 1976. Brando also received 10% of the gross theatrical rental and 10% of the television sale rights, earning him around $9 million.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=November 21, 1979|page=37|title=New York Sound Track|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_variety_1979-11-21_297_3/page/37/mode/1up|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/07/02/millions-marlon-brando/|title=Millions for Marlon Brando|date=July 2, 2004|last=Ascher-Walsh|first=Rebecca|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803195337/https://ew.com/article/2004/07/02/millions-marlon-brando/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hackman was set to play Wyatt Khanage, who later became Kilgore, played by Robert Duvall.<ref name=var/> Dennis Hopper was cast as a war correspondent and observer of Kurtz; when Coppola heard Hopper talking nonstop on location, he remembered putting "the cameras and the Montagnard shirt on him, and [shooting] the scene where he greets them on the boat".<ref name="Cowie3" /> James Caan was the first choice to play Colonel Lucas, but Caan wanted too much money for what was considered a minor part, and Harrison Ford was cast instead.

Before departing for principal photography, Coppola took out an advertisement in the trade press declaring Keitel, Duvall and others as the "first choices" for the film.<ref name=var/> It also listed other actors who did not appear in the film, including Harry Dean Stanton, Robby Benson and Michael Learned.<ref name=var/>

Sam Bottoms, Larry Fishburne and Albert Hall all signed seven-year deals, with Coppola including acting training of their choice in their deal.<ref name=var/> Bottoms was infected with hookworm while filming in the Philippines, and the parasite "wrecked his liver".{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=132}} Robert Englund auditioned for the role of Lance Johnson.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=January 21, 2020 |title=Interview: Robert Englund and his Star Wars connection |url=https://www.fanthatracks.com/interviews/interview-robert-englund-and-his-star-wars-connection/ |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=Fantha Tracks |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Principal photography === On March 1, 1976, Coppola and his family flew to Manila and rented a large house there for the planned four-month shoot.<ref name="Cowie3" /><ref name=var/> Sound and photographic equipment had been coming in from California since late 1975. John Ashley assisted with production in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|url=https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-nine-lives-of-john-ashley/|magazine=Diabolique Magazine|title=A Hell of a Life: The Nine Lives of John Ashley|date=December 2019|access-date=January 3, 2020|archive-date=December 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230071102/https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-nine-lives-of-john-ashley/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was due to be released on Coppola's 38th birthday, April 7, 1977.<ref name=var/>

Shooting began on March 20, 1976.<ref name=AFI/> Within a few days, Coppola was unhappy with Harvey Keitel's take on Willard, saying that Keitel "found it difficult to play him as a passive onlooker".<ref name="Cowie3" /> With Brando not due to film until three months later, as he did not want to work while his children were on school vacation, Keitel left the project in April and quit the seven-year deal he had signed as well.<ref name=var/>{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=348}} Coppola returned to Los Angeles and replaced Keitel with Martin Sheen, who arrived in the Philippines on April 24.{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=348}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/apocalypse-now/ | title=Once Upon a Time… in the Philippines: Francis Ford Coppola's 'Apocalypse Now' is a Three-Time Prime Cut of Film-Making Largesse • Cinephilia & Beyond | date=August 31, 2019 | access-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-date=November 6, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106035215/https://cinephiliabeyond.org/apocalypse-now/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Only four days of reshoots were reportedly required after the change.<ref name=var/>

Typhoon Olga wrecked 40–80% of the sets at Iba and on May 26, 1976, production was closed down. Dean Tavoularis remembers that it "started raining harder and harder until finally it was literally ''white'' outside, and all the trees were bent at forty-five degrees". Some of the crew were stranded in a hotel and the others were in small houses that were immobilized by the storm. The Playboy Playmate set was destroyed, ruining a month's scheduled shooting. Most of the cast and crew returned to the United States for six to eight weeks. Tavoularis and his team stayed on to scout new locations and rebuild the Playmate set in a different place. Also, the production had bodyguards watching constantly at night and one day the entire payroll was stolen. According to Coppola's wife, Eleanor, the film was six weeks behind schedule and $2 million over budget;{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=123}} Coppola filed a $500,000 insurance claim for typhoon damage<ref name=var/> and took out a loan from United Artists on the condition that if the film did not generate theatrical rentals of over $40 million, he would be liable for the overruns.{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=352}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/vintage/features/apocalypse-now-production-1203309358/|title=Why Everything About 'Apocalypse Now's' Production Was Unorthodox|first=Tim|last=Gray|date=August 23, 2019|access-date=September 30, 2023|archive-date=September 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906022130/https://variety.com/2019/vintage/features/apocalypse-now-production-1203309358/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the increasing costs, Coppola promised the University of the Philippines Film Center 1% of the profits, up to $1 million, for a film study trust fund.<ref name=var/>

Coppola flew back to the United States in June 1976. He read a book about Genghis Khan to get a better handle on the character of Kurtz.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=123}} When filming commenced in July 1976,<ref name=AFI/> Marlon Brando arrived in Manila very overweight and began working with Coppola to rewrite the ending. Coppola downplayed Brando's weight by dressing him in black, photographing only his face, and having another, taller actor double for him to portray him as an almost mythical character.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=124}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Marlon Brando's 'Apocalypse Now' Clashes Haunt His Legacy In 'Listen To Me Marlon' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marlon-brando-apocalypse-now_n_55bf66e1e4b06363d5a29e84 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813183347/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/marlon-brando-apocalypse-now_n_55bf66e1e4b06363d5a29e84 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Inspired by a dream, on August 3rd Coppola shot a new improvised opening sequence in which Willard becomes drunk in his hotel room the night before his mission. Sheen, sober at the time, did become so drunk that he broke a mirror and injured his hand. He insisted on continuing the shoot.<ref>as described in the making-of documentary. {{Cite AV media |title=Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse |date=1991 |last=Bahr |first=Fax |last2=Coppola |first2=Eleanor |last3=Hickenlooper |first3=George |type=Motion picture}}</ref>

After Christmas 1976, Coppola viewed a rough assembly of the footage but still needed to improvise an ending. He returned to the Philippines in early 1977 and resumed filming.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=124}}

On March 5 of that year, Sheen, then only 36, had a near-fatal heart attack and struggled for a quarter of a mile to reach help. By then the film was so over-budget, Sheen worried that funding would be halted if word about his condition reached investors, and he claimed that he had suffered heat stroke instead. Until he returned to the set on April 19, his brother Joe Estevez filled in for him, being shot from behind so close-ups of Sheen could be shot after he got better. Coppola later admitted that he could no longer tell which scenes were of Joe or Martin.<ref>{{Citation |last=DeadBySense |title=Apocalypse Now – Conversation Martin Sheen and Francis Ford Coppola Rus sub |date=April 5, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkChat11cE |access-date=December 9, 2018 |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206200858/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkChat11cE |url-status=live }}</ref> Rumors began to circulate that ''Apocalypse Now'' had several endings, but Richard Beggs, who worked on the sound elements, said, "There were never ''five'' endings, but just the one, even if there were differently ''edited'' versions." These rumors came from Coppola departing frequently from the original screenplay. A major sequence in a French plantation cost hundreds of thousands of dollars but was cut from the final film. Coppola admitted that he had no ending because Brando was too fat to play the scenes as written in the original script.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/a-match-made-in-hell-marlon-brando-in-apocalypse-now/ |title=A Match Made In Hell: Marlon Brando in 'Apocalypse Now' |first=Tim |last=Coffman |work=Far Out Magazine |date=April 23, 2023}}</ref> With the help of Dennis Jakob, Coppola decided the ending could be "the classic myth of the murderer who gets up the river, kills the king, and then himself becomes the king—it's the Fisher King, from ''The Golden Bough''."{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=125}} Principal photography ended on May 21, 1977,{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=126}} after 238 days.<ref name=AFI/>

=== Post-production and audio === The budget had doubled to over $25 million, and Coppola's loan from United Artists to fund the overruns had been extended to over $10 million.<ref name=var/> United Artists took out a $15 million life insurance policy on Coppola.{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=361}} By June 1977, Coppola had offered his car, house, and ''The Godfather'' profits as security to finish the film.{{r|Harmetz}}<ref name=var/> When ''Star Wars'' became a major hit, Coppola sent a telegram to Lucas asking for money.{{Sfn|Biskind|1998|p=336-337, 343}} The release date was pushed back to spring 1978.<ref name=var/>

Japanese composer Isao Tomita was signed to provide an original score, with Coppola desiring the film's soundtrack to sound like Tomita's electronic adaptation of ''The Planets'' by Gustav Holst. Tomita went as far as to accompany the film crew in the Philippines, but label contracts ultimately prevented his involvement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Isao Tomita (2014 RBMA Tokyo Lecture) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1igvo_WnQ&t=2840s |publisher=YouTube |date=November 13, 2014 |access-date=November 29, 2016 |archive-date=April 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425171557/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj1igvo_WnQ&t=2840s |url-status=live }}</ref> In the summer of 1977, Coppola told Walter Murch that he had four months to assemble the sound. Murch realized that the script had originally been narrated but Coppola abandoned the idea during filming.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=126}} Murch thought that there was a way to assemble the film without narration but that it would take ten months, and decided to give it another try.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=126-7}} He put it back in, recording it all himself. By September, Coppola told his wife that he felt "there is only about a 20% chance [I] can pull the film off".{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=127}} He convinced United Artists executives to delay the premiere from May to October 1978. In January 1978, Herr received a call from Zoetrope, asking him if he could write the film's narration based on his well-received book about Vietnam, ''Dispatches''.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=127}} He said that the narration already written was "totally useless" and spent a year creating a new set of narration, with Coppola giving him very definite guidelines. Sheen was too busy to record the voice-over narration so Estevez, whose voice was almost identical to his brother's, was called back in to record the narration instead.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=127}}

Murch had problems trying to make a stereo soundtrack for ''Apocalypse Now'' because sound libraries had no stereo recordings of weapons. The sound material brought back from the Philippines was inadequate because the small location crew lacked the time and resources to record jungle sounds and ambient noises. Murch and his crew fabricated the mood of the jungle on the soundtrack. ''Apocalypse Now'' used novel sound techniques for a movie, as Murch insisted on recording the most up-to-date gunfire. Murch employed the Dolby Stereo 70 mm Six Track system for the 70 mm release and used a similar layout to ''Star Wars''' "baby boom" mix which consolidated vocals to the center channel, while the left-center and right-center channels were used to enhance deep bass effects,<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=Apocalypse Now) The Birth Of 5.1 Sound |date=2006 |url=http://archive.org/details/documentary-the-birth-of-5.1-sound_202107 |access-date=2025-06-05}}</ref> but used two channels of sound behind the audience to create a more immersive soundscape for the film’s helicopter sequences, creating what was later known as a 5.1 mix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sragow |first=Michael |date=2000-04-27 |title=The sound of Vietnam |url=https://www.salon.com/2000/04/27/murch/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Salon |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Macaulay |first=Scott |date=2014-11-30 |title=The Sound of Helicopters in Apocalypse Now - Filmmaker Magazine |url=https://filmmakermagazine.com/88485-the-sound-of-helicopters-in-apocalypse-now/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Filmmaker Magazine {{!}} Publication with a focus on independent film, offering articles, links, and resources. |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=127}} The 35 mm release used the new Dolby Stereo optical stereo system, but due to limitations of the technology at the time, the 35 mm release that played in most theaters did not include surround sound.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Eric Dienstfrey |title=The Myth of the Speakers: A Critical Reexamination of Dolby History |journal=Film History |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=167–193 |publisher=Film History: An International Journal |jstor=10.2979/filmhistory.28.1.06|year=2016 |doi=10.2979/filmhistory.28.1.06 |s2cid=192940527 }}</ref> In May 1978, Coppola postponed the opening until spring of 1979.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=128}} The cost overruns had reached $18 million, for which Coppola was personally liable, but he had retained rights to the picture in perpetuity.<ref name=varrev/>

===Controversies=== A water buffalo was slaughtered with a machete for the climactic scene in a ritual performed by a local Ifugao tribe, which Coppola had previously witnessed with his wife Eleanor (who filmed the ritual later shown in the documentary ''Hearts of Darkness'') and film crew. Although it was an American production subject to American animal cruelty laws, such scenes filmed in the Philippines were not policed or monitored; the American Humane Association gave the film an "unacceptable" rating.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://humanehollywood.org/index.php/movie-archive/item/apocalypse-now |title=Apocalypse Now |last=AmericanHumane |website=humanehollywood.org |language=en-gb |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223125510/http://humanehollywood.org/index.php/movie-archive/item/apocalypse-now |url-status=dead }}</ref> Coppola would later say that the animals were part of the production deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/08/13/apocalypse-now-turns-40-francis-ford-coppola-recuts-his-film-again/1992088001/|title=Coppola defends killing water buffalo in 'Apocalypse Now': 'That was the way they do it'|first=Andrea|last=Mandell|website=USA TODAY|access-date=September 30, 2023|archive-date=September 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907142428/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/08/13/apocalypse-now-turns-40-francis-ford-coppola-recuts-his-film-again/1992088001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Real human corpses were bought from a man who turned out to be a grave-robber. The police questioned the film crew, holding their passports, and soldiers took the bodies away. Instead, extras were used to pose as corpses in the film.<ref>{{cite news|date=July 24, 2009|title=The strained making of 'Apocalypse Now'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-strained-making-of-apocalypse-now-1758689.html|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=The Independent|archive-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817224203/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-strained-making-of-apocalypse-now-1758689.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During filming, Dennis Hopper and Marlon Brando did not get along, leading Brando to refuse to be on the set at the same time as Hopper.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper Nearly Came to Blows on 'Apocalypse Now'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marlon-brando-dennis-hopper-came-blows-apocalypse-now-1288371|access-date=August 9, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809190051/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marlon-brando-dennis-hopper-came-blows-apocalypse-now-1288371|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release== In April 1979, Coppola screened a "work in progress" for 900 people; it was not well received.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=128}} That year, he was invited to screen ''Apocalypse Now'' at the Cannes Film Festival.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=129}} United Artists was not keen on showing an unfinished version to so many members of the press. However, since his 1974 film ''The Conversation'' had won the Palme d'Or, Coppola agreed to screen ''Apocalypse Now'' with the festival only a month away.

The week before Cannes, Coppola arranged three sneak previews of a 139-minute cut in Westwood, Los Angeles on May 11<ref name=var/><ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Daily Variety|page=3|title=Just For Variety|last=Archerd|first=Army|author-link=Army Archerd|date=May 14, 1979}}</ref> attended by 2,000 paying customers, some of whom lined up for over 6 hours.<ref name=DVpre>{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|page=3|title='Now' Hope: L.A. Preview, Cannes Prize|last=Pollock|first=Dale|date=May 16, 1979|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_variety_1979-05-16_295_2/page/3/mode/1up|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> Other cuts shown in 1979 ran 150 and 165 minutes.<ref name=var/><ref name=AFI/> The film was also shown at the White House for Jimmy Carter on May 10.<ref name=DVpre/><ref name=AFI/> Coppola allowed critics to attend the Los Angeles screenings and believed they would honor an embargo not to review the work in progress.<ref name=AFI/> On May 14, Rona Barrett previewed the film on television on ''Good Morning America'' and called it "a disappointing failure."{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=129}}<ref name=AFI/> This prompted ''Variety'' to believe the embargo had been broken, and it published its review the following day, saying it was "worth the wait," calling it a "brilliant and bizarre film." They also noted that it was the first "70{{spaces}}mm presentation without credits,"<ref name=varrev>{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=May 16, 1979|title=Film Reviews: Apocalyspe Now|last=Pollock|first=Dale|page=21|url=https://variety.com/1979/film/reviews/apocalypse-now-2-1200424565/|access-date=December 16, 2023|archive-date=December 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216123800/https://variety.com/1979/film/reviews/apocalypse-now-2-1200424565/|url-status=live}}</ref> for which Coppola had obtained permission from the various guilds (Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild, and Writers Guild of America) and instead provided a printed program with credits.<ref name=AFI/><ref name=DVpre/> The title appeared scrawled on a wall on a temple in the last third of the film.<ref name=DVpre/> ''Daily Variety'' reported that the first, 8:00{{spaces}}p.m. screening was received with "limited, if enthusiastic, applause."<ref name=DVpre/>

=== Cannes screening === [[File:Palmed'or.jpg|thumb|The 1979 Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or was awarded to ''Apocalypse Now''.]] At Cannes, Zoetrope technicians worked during the night before the screening to install additional speakers to achieve Murch's 5.1 soundtrack.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=129}} A three-hour version of ''Apocalypse Now'' was screened as a work in progress at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival on Saturday, May 19, 1979<ref name=var>{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=May 23, 1979|title=An Archival Detailing Of UA's 'Apocalypse Now' Since 1967 Start|last=Pollock|first=Dale|page=5|url=https://archive.org/details/sim_variety_1979-05-23_295_3/page/5/mode/1up|access-date=December 16, 2023|via=Internet Archive}}</ref> and met with prolonged applause.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=130}} It was the first work in progress ever shown in competition at the festival.<ref name=DVpre/> At the subsequent press conference, Coppola criticized the media for releasing premature reviews<ref name=AFI/> and for attacking him and the production during their problems filming in the Philippines. He said, "We had access to too much money, too much equipment, and little by little we went insane," and "My film is not about Vietnam, it ''is'' Vietnam."{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=130}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heartsofdarknessafilmmakersapocalypsenrbrown_a0addb.htm |title='Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse' |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Brown |first=Joe |date=January 17, 1992 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828081509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/heartsofdarknessafilmmakersapocalypsenrbrown_a0addb.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> His comments upset newspaper critic Rex Reed, who reportedly stormed out of the conference. ''Apocalypse Now'' won the Palme d'Or for best film, along with Volker Schlöndorff's ''The Tin Drum'' – a decision reportedly greeted with "some boos and jeers from the audience."<ref name="TimeCannes">{{cite magazine |title=Sweeping Cannes |magazine=Time |date=June 4, 1979 |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,946279,00.html |access-date=November 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216071516/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C946279%2C00.html |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Theatrical release=== On August 15, 1979, ''Apocalypse Now'' was released in North America in only three theaters equipped to play the Dolby Stereo 70 mm film prints with stereo surround sound:<ref>Dienstfrey 2016, p. 171</ref> the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles and the University Theatre in Toronto.<ref name=AFI/> The film, without credits, ran 147 minutes and tickets were $5 ({{Inflation|US|5|1979|fmt=eq}}), a new high for Los Angeles.<ref name=AFI/>

It ran exclusively in these three locations for four weeks before opening in an additional 12 theaters on October 3, 1979.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=131}} On October 10, 1979, the 35 mm version, with credits, was released in over 300 theaters.<ref name=AFI/>

The film had a $9 million advertising campaign, bringing its total costs to $45{{nbsp}}million (${{Inflation|US|45|1979}}{{nbsp}}million in {{inflation/year|US}}).<ref name=AFI/>{{inflation/fn|US}}

=== Alternative and varied endings === At the time of the film's release, discussion and rumors circulated about its supposed various endings. Coppola said the original ending was written in haste, where Kurtz convinced Willard to join him and together they repelled the air strike on the compound. Coppola said he never fully agreed with Kurtz and Willard dying in fatalistic explosive intensity, preferring to end the film in a more positive way.

When Coppola originally organized the ending, he considered two significant versions. One had Willard leading Lance by the hand as everyone in Kurtz's base threw down their weapons; Willard then piloted the PBR slowly away from Kurtz's compound, and this final shot was superimposed over the face of a stone idol, which then faded to black. The other version had the base spectacularly blown to bits in an air strike, killing everyone left within it.

The original 1979 70{{spaces}}mm exclusive theatrical release ended with Willard's boat, the stone statue, and the fade to black with no credits, save for '"Copyright 1979 Omni Zoetrope"' at its very end. This mirrored the lack of opening titles and supposedly stemmed from Coppola's original intention to "tour" the film as one would a play: The credits appeared on printed programs provided before the screening began.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=132}}

There have been, to date, many variations of the end credit sequence, beginning with the 35 mm general release, where Coppola elected to show the credits superimposed over shots of the jungle exploding into flames.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=132}}<ref name=AFI/> The explosions were from the detonations of the sets.<ref name=AFI/> Rental prints circulated with this ending, and can be found in the hands of a few collectors. Some versions had the subtitle "A United Artists release," while others had "An Omni Zoetrope release." The network television version of the credits ended with, "..{{nbsp}}from MGM/UA Entertainment Company" (as it made its network debut shortly after the merger of MGM and UA). Another variation of the end credits can be seen on both YouTube and as a supplement on the current{{when|date=May 2024}} Lionsgate Blu-ray.

When Coppola later heard that the audiences interpreted this as an air strike called by Willard, he pulled the film from its {{nowrap|35 mm}} run and added credits on a black screen.<ref name=AFI/> The "air strike" footage continued to circulate in repertory theaters well into the 1980s, and was included in the 1980s LaserDisc release. In the DVD commentary, Coppola explains that the images of explosions were not intended as part of the story, but were simply a graphic background he had added for the credits.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Destruction of the Kurtz Compound w/ commentary by director Francis Ford Coppola|work=Apocalypse Now Redux|medium=DVD|trans-title=DVD Extras|date=November 20, 2001}}</ref>

Coppola explained he had shot the explosion footage during demolition of the sets, whose destruction and removal were required by the Philippine government. He filmed the demolition with cameras fitted with different film stocks and lenses to capture the explosions at different speeds. He wanted to do something with the dramatic footage and decided to add them to the credits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://homevideo.about.com/od/dvdreview1/a/apocalypsenowra.htm |title=DVD Review Apocalypse Now – Apocalypse Now DVD Review |publisher=Homevideo.about.com |date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=July 16, 2014 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075145/http://homevideo.about.com/od/dvdreview1/a/apocalypsenowra.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Re-release=== The film was re-released on August 28, 1987, in six cities, to capitalize on the success of ''Platoon'', ''Full Metal Jacket'', and other Vietnam War movies. New 70 mm prints were shown in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis and Cincinnati—cities where the film had done well in 1979. It was given the same kind of release as the exclusive 1979 engagement, with no logo or credits, and audiences were given a printed program.<ref name="Harmetz">{{cite news |last=Harmetz |first=Aljean |title=''Apocalypse Now'' to Be Re-released |work=The New York Times |date=August 20, 1987 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/20/movies/apocalypse-now-to-be-re-released.html |access-date=November 24, 2008 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122311/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE2D61F3BF933A1575BC0A961948260 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Versions === ==== ''Apocalypse Now Redux'' ==== {{Main|Apocalypse Now Redux}}

In 2001, Coppola released ''Apocalypse Now Redux'' in cinemas and subsequently on DVD. This is an extended version that restores 49 minutes of scenes cut from the original film. Coppola has continued to circulate the original version as well: the two versions are packaged together in the ''Complete Dossier'' DVD, released on August 15, 2006, and in the Blu-ray edition released on October 19, 2010.

The longest section of added footage in the ''Redux'' version is the "French Plantation" sequence, a chapter involving the de Marais family's rubber plantation, a holdover from the colonization of French Indochina, featuring Coppola's two sons Gian-Carlo and Roman as children of the family. Around the dinner table, a young French child recites a poem by Charles Baudelaire entitled ''L'albatros''. The French family patriarch is not satisfied with the child's recitation. The child is sent away. These scenes were removed from the 1979 cut, which premiered at Cannes. In behind-the-scenes footage in ''Hearts of Darkness'', Coppola expresses his anger, on the set, at the technical limitations of the scenes, the result of shortage of money. At the time of the ''Redux'' version, it was possible to digitally enhance the footage to accomplish Coppola's vision. In the scenes, the French family patriarchs argue about the positive side of colonialism in Indochina and denounce the betrayal of the military men in the First Indochina War. Hubert de Marais argues that French politicians sacrificed entire battalions at Điện Biên Phủ, and tells Willard that the US created the Viet Cong (as the Viet Minh) to fend off Japanese invaders.

Other added material includes extra combat footage before Willard meets Kilgore, a scene in which Willard's team steals Kilgore's surfboard (which sheds some light on the hunt for the mangoes), a follow-up scene to the dance of the ''Playboy'' Playmates, in which Willard's team finds the Playmates stranded after their helicopter has run out of fuel (trading two barrels of fuel for two hours with the Bunnies), and a scene of Kurtz reading from a ''Time'' magazine article about the war, surrounded by Cambodian children.

A deleted scene titled "Monkey Sampan" shows Willard and the PBR crew suspiciously eyeing an approaching sampan juxtaposed to Montagnard villagers joyfully singing "Light My Fire" by The Doors. As the sampan gets closer, Willard realizes there are monkeys on it and no helmsman. Finally, just as the two boats pass, the wind turns the sail and exposes a naked dead Viet Cong (VC) nailed to the sail boom. His body is mutilated and looks as though the man had been flogged and castrated. The singing stops. As they pass on by, Chief notes out loud, "That's comin' from where we goin', Captain." The boat then slowly passes the giant tail of a shot down B-52 bomber as the noise of engines high in the sky is heard. Coppola said that he made up for cutting this scene by having the PBR pass under an aircraft tail in the final release.

==== ''First Assembly'' ==== A 289-minute ''First Assembly'' circulates as a video bootleg, containing extra material not included in either the original theatrical release or the "redux" version.<ref name="Coates">{{cite news |last=Coates |first=Gordon |title=Coppola's slow boat on the Nung |work=The Guardian |date=October 17, 2008 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/17/1 |access-date=October 17, 2008 |location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018214153/http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/oct/17/1|archive-date=October 18, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> This cut of the film does not feature Carmine Coppola's score, instead using several Doors tracks.<ref name="Cinephilia & Beyond 2015">{{cite web |title=The Holy Grail of Workprints: The Five-Hour Rough Version of 'Apocalypse Now' |website=Cinephilia & Beyond |date=October 12, 2015 |url=https://cinephiliabeyond.org/the-holy-grail-of-workprints-the-five-hour-rough-version-of-apocalypse-now/ |access-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209230919/https://cinephiliabeyond.org/the-holy-grail-of-workprints-the-five-hour-rough-version-of-apocalypse-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== ''Apocalypse Now Final Cut'' ==== In April 2019, Coppola showed ''Apocalypse Now Final Cut'' for the 40th anniversary screening at the Tribeca Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Gordon |title=Tribeca: Danny Boyle's Beatles Movie 'Yesterday' Set as Closing Night Film |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/beatles-movie-yesterday-say-anything-apocalypse-now-set-tribeca-2019-1194756/ |access-date=April 24, 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 14, 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114040633/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/beatles-movie-yesterday-say-anything-apocalypse-now-set-tribeca-2019-1194756 |url-status=live }}</ref> This new version is Coppola's preferred version of the film and has a runtime of three hours and three minutes, with Coppola having cut 20 minutes of the added material from ''Redux''; the scenes deleted include the second encounter with the Playmates, parts of the plantation sequence, and Kurtz's reading of ''Time'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=442569 |title=Apocalypse Now Comparison: Final Cut – Redux Version |website=Movie Censorship |date=September 15, 2019 |access-date=January 9, 2020 |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412221437/https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=442569 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is also the first time the film has been restored from the original camera negative at 4K; previous transfers were made from an interpositive.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Falt |first1=Chris |title='Apocalypse Now': 5 Things You Need to Know About Coppola's New 'Final Cut' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/04/apocalypse-now-final-cut-5-things-to-know-francis-for-coppola-new-version-1202129340/ |website=IndieWire |date=April 29, 2019 |access-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430004130/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/04/apocalypse-now-final-cut-5-things-to-know-francis-for-coppola-new-version-1202129340/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released in autumn 2019, along with an extended cut of ''The Cotton Club''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Francis Ford Coppola: How Winning Cannes 40 Years Ago Saved 'Apocalypse Now,' Making 'Megalopolis,' Why Scorsese Almost Helmed 'Godfather Part II' & Re-Cutting Three Past Films |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/francis-ford-coppola-apocalypse-now-cannes-40-anniversary-megalopolis-scorsese-godfather-part-ii-re-cutting-godfather-iii-cotton-club-interview-1202613659/ |date=May 13, 2019 |website=Deadline |access-date=May 18, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516131543/https://deadline.com/2019/05/francis-ford-coppola-apocalypse-now-cannes-40-anniversary-megalopolis-scorsese-godfather-part-ii-re-cutting-godfather-iii-cotton-club-interview-1202613659/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It also had a release in select IMAX theaters on August 15 and 18, 2019, in a collaboration between IMAX and Lionsgate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/apocalypse-now-final-cut-imax-theaters/ |title=Restored 'Apocalypse Now Final Cut' Coming to IMAX Theaters for the 40th Anniversary |website=Collider |date=July 25, 2019 |access-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-date=August 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806155437/http://collider.com/apocalypse-now-final-cut-imax-theaters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Home media === The home media release history of ''Apocalypse Now'' is summarized in the following table. Although the dates are for the American publication of the home media editions, releases by publishers in other territories are identical in content and format. Despite filming ''Apocalypse Now'' in 2.35:1, the film's cinematographer Vittorio Storaro periodically approved home media releases in his preferred aspect ratio, the 2.00:1 Univisium. This aggressive crop of the original 2.35:1 film negative has been done away with in all releases since Coppola's American Zoetrope reassigned home media rights to Lionsgate Home Entertainment in 2010.<ref>{{Citation |title=Lionsgate Announces Apocalypse Now Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4914 |access-date=2024-01-09 |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109092317/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4914 |url-status=live }}</ref> Cuts featuring Coppola's 2001 audio commentary are marked with a double dagger ({{double-dagger}}); the 2006 theatrical commentary is an edited version.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ ! Edition ! US release date ! Publisher ! Aspect ratio ! Cut ! Runtime ! Resolution ! Master ! Medium ! class="unsortable"|{{Refh}} |- | Assembly Cut | {{dts|1979}} | {{n/a|Bootleg}} | 2.39:1 | Assembly | 4h 39m | rowspan="2" | 240 lines | {{n/a}} | rowspan="2" | VHS | align="center" | |- | #2306A | {{dts|1981}} | rowspan="15" |Paramount | rowspan="2" | 1.33:1 | rowspan="10" | Theatrical | rowspan="10" | 2h 33m | rowspan="9" | NTSC | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now {{!}} VHSCollector.com |url=https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-0 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=vhscollector.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065739/https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-0 |url-status=live }}{{User-generated source|date=February 2026}}</ref> |- | #BETA 2306A | {{dts|1984}} | 250 lines | Betamax | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Betamax - Apocalypse Now - Paramount - USA |url=https://www.45worlds.com/dvd/disc/apocalypse-nowus |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.45worlds.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065736/https://www.45worlds.com/dvd/disc/apocalypse-nowus |url-status=live }}{{User-generated source|date=February 2026}}</ref> |- | #2306 | {{dts|1987}} | rowspan="3" | 2.0:1 | rowspan="3" | 240 lines | rowspan="3" | VHS | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now {{!}} VHSCollector.com |url=https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-1 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=vhscollector.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065738/https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-1 |url-status=live }}{{User-generated source|date=February 2026}}</ref><ref name="SlashGear">{{Cite web |last=Shayotovich |first=Eli |date=2022-05-18 |title=The Real Reason Betamax Lost The Format Wars |url=https://www.slashgear.com/867718/the-real-reason-betamax-lost-the-format-wars/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=SlashGear |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723135833/https://www.slashgear.com/867718/the-real-reason-betamax-lost-the-format-wars/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | #2306 | {{dts|1992}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now {{!}} VHSCollector.com |url=https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=vhscollector.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065737/https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now |url-status=live }}{{User-generated source|date=February 2026}}</ref><ref name="SlashGear"/> |- | #12999 | {{dts|1997}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now {{!}} VHSCollector.com |url=https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-2 |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=vhscollector.com |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622003853/https://vhscollector.com/movie/apocalypse-now-2 |url-status=live }}{{User-generated source|date=February 2026}}</ref><ref name="SlashGear"/> |- | #LV 2306 | {{dts|1981}} | rowspan="3" | 1.33:1 | rowspan="4" | 425 lines | rowspan="4" | LaserDisc | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=LaserDisc Database - Apocalypse Now [LV 2306] |url=https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20474/LV-2306/Apocalypse-Now |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.lddb.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065738/https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20474/LV-2306/Apocalypse-Now |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | #RCA 00667 | {{dts|1982}} | align="center" | <ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |title=LaserDisc Database - Apocalypse Now [RCA 00667] on CED Capacitance Electronic Disc |url=https://www.lddb.com/ced/00098/RCA-00667/Apocalypse-Now |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.lddb.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065736/https://www.lddb.com/ced/00098/RCA-00667/Apocalypse-Now |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | #LV 2306-2 | {{dts|December 20, 1991}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=LaserDisc Database - Apocalypse Now [LV 2306-2] |url=https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20475/LV-2306-2/Apocalypse-Now |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.lddb.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065736/https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20475/LV-2306-2/Apocalypse-Now |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | #LV2306-3WS | {{dts|April 1, 1997}} | 1.90:1 | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=LaserDisc Database - Apocalypse Now [LV2306-3WS] |url=https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20473/LV2306-3WS/Apocalypse-Now |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.lddb.com |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516052219/https://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/20473/LV2306-3WS/Apocalypse-Now |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | Theatrical Special Edition | {{dts|1999}} | rowspan="6" | 2.0:1 | 480i | rowspan="8" | 2K | DVD | align="center" | <ref name="auto5"/> |- | #0097360962932 | rowspan="2" | {{dts|November 20, 2001}} | Redux | rowspan="2" | 3h 22m | 240 lines | VHS | align="center" rowspan="2" | <ref name="auto5"/> |- | Redux Special Edition | Redux {{double-dagger}} | rowspan="4" | 480i | rowspan="4" | DVD |- | rowspan="2" | The Complete Dossier | rowspan="2" | {{dts|August 15, 2006}} | Theatrical {{double-dagger}} | 2h 33m |- | rowspan="2" | Redux {{double-dagger}} | rowspan="2" | 3h 22m |- | #031398123231 | {{dts|May 18, 2010}} | align="center" | <ref name="auto6">{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now DVD Release Date |url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/4651/Apocalypse-Now-(1979).html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=DVDs Release Dates |language=en |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609012823/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/4651/Apocalypse-Now-(1979).html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/22951/apocalypse-now-the-complete-dossier/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=www.dvdtalk.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065735/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/22951/apocalypse-now-the-complete-dossier/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | Full Disclosure Edition | rowspan="2" | {{dts|October 19, 2010}} | rowspan="10" | Lionsgate | rowspan="10" | 2.35:1 | Theatrical | 2h 33m | rowspan="6" | 1080p | rowspan="6" | Blu-ray | align="center" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now (2-Film Set) Blu-ray Disc Details {{!}} High-Def Digest |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3760/apocalypsenow_2_film.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=bluray.highdefdigest.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065737/https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3760/apocalypsenow_2_film.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure Edition Blu-ray Review {{!}} High Def Digest |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3761/apocalypse_disclosure.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=bluray.highdefdigest.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065735/https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3761/apocalypse_disclosure.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | Redux {{double-dagger}} | 3h 22m |- | rowspan="2" | SteelBook Edition | rowspan="2" | {{nowrap|{{dts|November 24, 2013}}}} | Theatrical | 2h 33m | rowspan="8" | 4K | align="center" rowspan="2" | <ref name="auto1">{{Citation |title=Apocalypse Now Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Apocalypse-Now-Blu-ray/90727/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065735/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Apocalypse-Now-Blu-ray/90727/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | Redux | 3h 22m |- | rowspan="2" | Triple Feature Edition | rowspan="2" | {{dts|June 7, 2016}} | Theatrical | 2h 33m | align="center" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now: Triple Feature Blu-ray Disc Details {{!}} High-Def Digest |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/32718/apocalypsenowtriplefeature.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=bluray.highdefdigest.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065734/https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/32718/apocalypsenowtriplefeature.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Citation |title=Apocalypse Now: Triple Feature Blu-ray (Apocalypse Now / Apocalypse Now Redux / Hearts of Darkness) |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Apocalypse-Now-Triple-Feature-Blu-ray/153595/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901172935/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Apocalypse-Now-Triple-Feature-Blu-ray/153595/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | Redux | 3h 22m |- | rowspan="3" | 40th Anniversary Edition | rowspan="3" | {{dts|August 27, 2019}} | Theatrical | 2h 33m | rowspan="4" | 2160p | rowspan="4" | Ultra HD Blu-ray | align="center" rowspan="3" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now (40th Anniversary Edition) - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Ultra HD Review {{!}} High Def Digest |url=https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/72468/apocalypsenow40thanniversaryedition4kultrahdbluray.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=ultrahd.highdefdigest.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065735/https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/72468/apocalypsenow40thanniversaryedition4kultrahdbluray.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Citation |last=Talshir |first=Zipora |title=Texts, Text-Forms, Editions, New Compositions and the Final Products of Biblical Literature |date=2014-01-01 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/9789004281226_004 |work=Congress Volume Munich 2013 |pages=40–66 |access-date=2024-01-09 |publisher=BRILL |doi=10.1163/9789004281226_004 |isbn=978-90-04-28122-6|url-access=subscription }}</ref> |- | Redux {{double-dagger}} | 3h 22m |- | rowspan="2" | Final Cut | rowspan="2" | 3h 02m |- | {{nowrap|Final Cut SteelBook Edition}} | {{dts|October 19, 2021}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook) Ultra HD Review {{!}} High Def Digest |url=https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/98482/apocalypsenowthefinalcut4kultrahdbluraysteelbook.html |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=ultrahd.highdefdigest.com |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109065734/https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/98482/apocalypsenowthefinalcut4kultrahdbluraysteelbook.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |}

== Reception == === Critical response === On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, ''Apocalypse Now'' holds an approval rating of 91% based on 148 reviews, with an average rating of 9.0/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "A voyage to hell where the journey is more satisfying than the destination, Francis Ford Coppola's haunting, hallucinatory Vietnam War epic is cinema at its most audacious and visionary."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apocalypse_now |title=Apocalypse Now (1979) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=Fandango |access-date=September 23, 2024 |archive-date=June 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628040132/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apocalypse_now |url-status=live }}</ref> Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 94 out of 100 based on 15 critics, indicating "universal acclaim."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/apocalypse-now |title=Apocalypse Now (1979) |website=Metacritic |access-date=August 5, 2019 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523122228/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/apocalypse-now |url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on a scale of A+ to F.<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 18, 1979|title=Can 'Apocalypse' Live Up To Its Hype?|url=https://news.google.com.co/newspapers?id=hecLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IFkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5301%2C900285|access-date=July 31, 2025|work=Evening Independent|location=St. Petersburg, Florida|page=3B}}</ref>

Upon its release, ''Apocalypse Now'' received mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/apocalypse-now-coppola-action |title=Apocalypse Now: the best action and war film of all time |last=Billson |first=Anne |newspaper=The Guardian |date=October 19, 2010 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |quote=Reviews were mixed, but within a year or so it had established itself as a modern classic {{nbsp}}... |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507043136/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/apocalypse-now-coppola-action |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theweek.co.uk/entertainment/5191/apocalypse-now-original-1979-reviews |title=Apocalypse Now: the original 1979 reviews |last=Rainey |first=Venetia |magazine=The Week |date=May 27, 2011 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818104413/http://www.theweek.co.uk/entertainment/5191/apocalypse-now-original-1979-reviews |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/188688 |title=Apocalypse Now |last=Fristoe |first=Roger |work=Turner Classic Movies, Inc. |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-date=October 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014142326/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/188688%7C0/Apocalypse-Now.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In his original review, Roger Ebert gave the film four stars out of a possible four and wrote: "''Apocalypse Now'' achieves greatness not by analyzing our 'experience in Vietnam', but by re-creating, in characters and images, something of that experience."<ref name="Ebert">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=''Apocalypse Now'' |work=RogerEbert.com |date=June 1, 1979 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/apocalypse-now-1979 |access-date=December 27, 2022 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216072520/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19790601%2FREVIEWS%2F41214002%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref> and named it "The best film of 1979."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041215/COMMENTARY/41215001/1023 |work=Chicago Sun-Times |title=Ebert's 10 Best Lists: 1967–present |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060908200137/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20041215%2FCOMMENTARY%2F41215001%2F1023 |archive-date=September 8, 2006 }}</ref> Ebert concluded by writing: "What's great in the film, and what will make it live for many years and speak to many audiences, is what Coppola achieves on the levels Truffaut was discussing: the moments of agony and joy in making cinema. Some of those moments occur at the same time; remember again the helicopter assault and its unsettling juxtaposition of horror and exhilaration. Remember the weird beauty of the massed helicopters lifting above the trees in the long shot, and the insane power of Wagner's music, played loudly during the attack, and you feel what Coppola was getting at: Those moments as common in life as art, when the whole huge grand mystery of the world, so terrible, so beautiful, seems to hang in the balance." Ebert added Coppola's film to his list of ''The Great Movies'' in 1999, stating how two decades of hindsight proved: "''Apocalypse Now'' is the best Vietnam film [and] one of the greatest of all films, because it pushes beyond the others, into the dark places of the soul. It is not about war so much as about how war reveals truths we would be happy never to discover."<ref name="Ebert2">{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=Great Movies: ''Apocalypse Now'' |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=November 28, 1999 |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-apocalypse-now-1979 |access-date=November 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216072521/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19991128%2FREVIEWS08%2F911280301%2F1023 |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In his review for the ''Los Angeles Times'', Charles Champlin wrote: 'as a noble use of the medium and as a tireless expression of national anguish, it towers over everything that has been attempted by an American filmmaker in a very long time.'{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=131}} Other reviews were less positive; Frank Rich, writing for ''Time'', said: 'While much of the footage is breathtaking, ''Apocalypse Now'' is emotionally obtuse and intellectually empty.'<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Frank |last=Rich |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920572,00.html |title=Cinema: The Making of a Quagmire by Frank Rich |magazine=Time |date=August 27, 1979 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531194724/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,920572,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Vincent Canby argued: 'Mr. Coppola himself describes it as 'operatic', but{{nbsp}}... ''Apocalypse Now'' is neither a tone poem nor an opera. It's an adventure yarn with delusions of grandeur, a movie that ends — in the all-too-familiar words of the poet Mr. Coppola drags in by the bootstraps — not with a bang, but a whimper.'<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=EE05E7DF173CE562BC4D52DFBE668382669EDE |title=APOCALYPSE NOW |last=Canby |first=Vincent |newspaper=New York Times |date=August 15, 1979 |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083903/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=EE05E7DF173CE562BC4D52DFBE668382669EDE |url-status=live }}</ref>

Commentators have debated whether ''Apocalypse Now'' is an anti-war or pro-war film. Some evidence of the film's anti-war message includes the purposeless brutality of the war, the absence of military leadership, and the imagery of machinery destroying nature.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Tomasulo |first=Frank P. |date=1990-01-01 |title=The Politics of Ambivalence: APOCALYPSE NOW as Prowar and Antiwar Film |url=https://www.academia.edu/1873247/The_Politics_of_Ambivalence_APOCALYPSE_NOW_as_Prowar_and_Antiwar_Film |journal=From Hanoi to Hollywood: The Vietnam War in American Film |publisher=Rutgers University Press |doi=10.17613/14TT-7K84}}</ref> Advocates of a pro-war stance view these same elements as a glorification of war and the assertion of American supremacy. According to Frank Tomasulo, 'the US foisting its culture on Vietnam', including the destruction of a village so that soldiers could surf, affirms the film's pro-war message.<ref name=":2" /> Anthony Swofford recounted how his marine platoon watched ''Apocalypse Now'' before being sent to Iraq in 1990 to get excited for war.<ref>{{cite book |author=Marilyn B. Young |title=Now Playing:Vietnam |publisher=Organization of American Historians. OAH |date=October 2004}}</ref> Nidesh Lawtoo illustrates the ambiguity of the film by focusing on the contradictory responses the movie in general – and the "Ride of the Valkyries" scene in particular – triggered in a university classroom.<ref>Nidesh Lawtoo, ''The Phantom of the Ego: Modernism and the Mimetic Unconscious'', East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2013, pp. 85–90</ref> Writing for ''The Nation'', critic Robert Hatch felt the "moral indignation" behind ''Apocalypse Now'' was "lost in giantism," saying that the film presented the war as "one bloody huge circus" and that Coppola had "done no more than demonstrate the obvious — that in Vietnam we fought a bad war."<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hatch |first1=Robert |title=Apocalypse Now |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/apocalypse-now-1/ |website=The Nation |date=December 19, 2008 |access-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821102217/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/apocalypse-now-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Coppola, the film may be considered anti-war, but is even more anti-lie: '...{{nbsp}}the fact that a culture can lie about what's really going on in warfare, that people are being brutalized, tortured, maimed, and killed, and somehow present this as moral is what horrifies me, and perpetuates the possibility of war'.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Mark J. Lacy |jstor=40645126 |title=War, Cinema, and Moral Anxiety |journal=Alternatives: Global, Local, Political |volume=28 |issue=5 |pages=611–636 |date=November–December 2003|doi=10.1177/030437540302800504 |s2cid=142538404 }}</ref> In 2019, however, Coppola told Kevin Perry of ''The Guardian'' that he hesitated to call the film anti-war, stating .".. an anti-war film, I always thought, should be like [<nowiki/>Kon Ichikawa's 1956 post-second world war drama] ''The Burmese Harp'' – something filled with love and peace and tranquillity and happiness. It shouldn't have sequences of violence that inspire a lust for violence. ''Apocalypse Now'' has stirring scenes of helicopters attacking innocent people. That's not anti-war."<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2019 |title=Francis Ford Coppola: 'Apocalypse Now is not an anti-war film' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/09/francis-ford-coppola-apocalypse-now-is-not-an-anti-war-film |access-date=October 1, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003182700/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/09/francis-ford-coppola-apocalypse-now-is-not-an-anti-war-film |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2011, a new restored digital print of ''Apocalypse Now'' was released in UK cinemas, distributed by Optimum Releasing. ''Total Film'' magazine gave the film a five-star review, stating: 'This is the original cut rather than the 2001 'Redux' (be gone, jarring French plantation interlude!), digitally restored to such heights you can, indeed, get a nose full of the napalm.'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/apocalypse-now-1 |title=Apocalypse Now Review |work=Total Film |access-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519103028/http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/apocalypse-now-1 |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Box office === ''Apocalypse Now'' performed well at the box office when it opened on August 15, 1979.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=130}} It initially opened in three theaters in New York City, Toronto, and Hollywood, grossing $322,489 in its first five days. It has grossed over $80 million in the United States and Canada<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Apocalypse-Now#tab=box-office|website=The Numbers|access-date=December 16, 2023|title=Apocalypse Now (1979)|archive-date=December 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216134233/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Apocalypse-Now#tab=box-office|url-status=live}}</ref> with a worldwide total of $150 million.{{Sfn|Cowie|1990|p=132}}<ref name=HOD/>

===Accolades=== {| class="wikitable" |+ Awards and Nominations received by Apocalypse Now ! Award ! Category ! Nominee ! Result |- | rowspan=8|52nd Academy Awards<ref name="Oscars1980">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1980 |title=The 52nd Academy Awards (1980) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 7, 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402002939/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1980 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Best Picture | Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos, Gray Frederickson, and Tom Sternberg | {{nom}} |- | Best Director | Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Robert Duvall | {{nom}} |- | Best Writing – Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium | John Milius and Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | Best Art Direction | Art Direction: Dean Tavoularis and Angelo P. Graham; Set Decoration: George R. Nelson | {{nom}} |- | Best Cinematography | Vittorio Storaro | {{won}} |- | Best Film Editing | Richard Marks, Walter Murch, Gerald B. Greenberg and Lisa Fruchtman | {{nom}} |- | Best Sound | Walter Murch, Mark Berger, Richard Beggs, and Nat Boxer | {{won}} |- | 1979 Cannes Film Festival<ref name="festival-cannes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/1897/year/1979.html |title=Festival de Cannes: Apocalypse Now |access-date=May 23, 2009 |publisher=festival-cannes.com |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309031847/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/1897/year/1979.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |Palme d'Or | ''Apocalypse Now'' | {{won}} |- | rowspan=9|33rd British Academy Film Awards<ref name="BAFTA33">{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1980/film|title=33rd BAFTA Awards – Film|access-date=March 31, 2013|work=BAFTA.org|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808051141/http://awards.bafta.org/award/1980/film|url-status=live}}</ref> | Best Film | ''Apocalypse Now'' | {{nom}} |- | Best Actor | Martin Sheen | {{nom}} |- | Best Supporting Actor | Robert Duvall | {{won}} |- | Best Direction | Francis Ford Coppola | {{won}} |- | Best Original Film Music | Carmine Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | Best Cinematography | Vittorio Storaro | {{nom}} |- | Best Editing | Richard Marks, Walter Murch, Gerald B. Greenberg, and Lisa Fruchtman | {{nom}} |- | Best Production Design | Dean Tavoularis | {{nom}} |- | Best Soundtrack | Nathan Boxer, Richard Cirincione, Walter Murch | {{nom}} |- | 5th César Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allocine.fr/festivals/festival-128/edition-18353267/palmares/ |title=Prix et nominations : César 1980 |work=Allocine |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809054825/http://www.allocine.fr/festivals/festival-128/edition-18353267/palmares/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger) | Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | David di Donatello Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/awards.php?award_id=donatello&year=1980 |title=David di Donatello Awards 1980 |work=Film Affinity |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630012649/https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/awards.php?award_id=donatello&year=1980 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Best Foreign Director (Migliore Regista Straniero) | Francis Ford Coppola | {{won}} |- | 32nd Directors Guild of America Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1970s/1979.aspx?value=1979 |title=32nd Directors Guild of America Awards |work=Directors Guild of America Awards |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804174123/https://www.dga.org/Awards/History/1970s/1979.aspx?value=1979 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures | Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | rowspan=4|37th Golden Globe Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/awards.php?award_id=goldenglobes&year=1980 |title=37th Golden Globes Awards (1980) – Movies from 1979 |work=Film Affinity |access-date=August 5, 2020 |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629191515/https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/awards.php?award_id=goldenglobes&year=1980 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Best Motion Picture – Drama | Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos, Gray Frederickson, and Tom Sternberg | {{nom}} |- | Best Director | Francis Ford Coppola | {{won}} |- | Best Supporting Actor | Robert Duvall | {{won}}{{efn|Tied with Melvyn Douglas for ''Being There''.}} |- | Best Original Score | Carmine Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola | {{won}} |- | 22nd Annual Grammy Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&title=&year=1979&genre=All|title=1979 Grammy Award Winners|publisher=Grammy.com|access-date=May 1, 2011|archive-date=September 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923072905/http://www.grammy.com/nominees/search?artist=&title=&year=1979&genre=All|url-status=live}}</ref> | Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture | Carmine Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | 1979 National Society of Film Critics Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Frederic Forrest | {{won}} |- | 32nd Writers Guild of America Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551|title=Awards Winners|work=wga.org|publisher=Writers Guild of America|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205095022/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1551|archive-date=December 5, 2012|access-date=June 6, 2010}}</ref> | Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen | John Milius and Francis Ford Coppola | {{nom}} |- | London Film Critics' Circle Awards | Film of the Year | Francis Ford Coppola | {{Won}} |}

;American Film Institute lists * AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies – No. 28 * AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes: ** "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." – No. 12 ** "The horror, the horror." – Nominated *AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains: ** Colonel Walter E. Kurtz – Nominated Villain * AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) – No. 30

== Legacy == [[File:Acropolis Now (Economist cover, May 1 2010).jpg|thumb|upright=0.68|May 1, 2010, cover of the ''Economist'' newspaper, illustrating the euro area crisis with imagery from the movie, attests to the film's pervasive cultural impact.]] In contrast to its mixed reviews upon release, today the movie is regarded by many as a masterpiece of the New Hollywood era. Roger Ebert considered it the finest film on the Vietnam War and included it on his list for the 2002 ''Sight & Sound'' poll for the greatest movie of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/topten/poll/voter.php?forename=Roger&surname=Ebert |title=How the directors and critics voted |access-date=October 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310213807/http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/topten/poll/voter.php?forename=Roger&surname=Ebert |archive-date=March 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-apocalypse-now-1979|title=Apocalypse Now (1979) by Roger Ebert|access-date=December 27, 2022|work=RogerEbert.com|archive-date=December 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216072521/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19991128%2FREVIEWS08%2F911280301%2F1023|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2002 ''Sight & Sound'' director's poll of the "greatest films of all time," it was ranked No. 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sight & Sound 2002 Directors' Greatest Films poll|url=https://www.listal.com/list/sight-sound-2002-directors|website=listal.com|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515094321/https://www.listal.com/list/sight-sound-2002-directors|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sight & Sound Top Ten Poll 2002 The Rest of Director's List|url=http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/polls/topten/poll/directors-long.html|website=old.bfi.org.uk|access-date=July 27, 2021|archive-date=February 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201155933/http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/polls/topten/poll/directors-long.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is on the American Film Institute's ''100 Years...100 Movies'' list at number 28, but dropped to number 30 on their 10th anniversary list. Kilgore's quotation, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning," written by Milius, was number 12 on the AFI's ''100 Years ... 100 Movie Quotes'' list and was also voted the greatest movie speech of all time in a 2004 poll.<ref>{{cite news |title="Napalm" Speech Tops Movie Poll |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3362603.stm |work=BBC News |date=January 2, 2004 |access-date=September 19, 2007 |archive-date=July 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708135503/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3362603.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, Writers Guild of America ranked the screenplay, by John Milius and Francis Ford Coppola, the 55th greatest ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays/list|title=101 Greatest Screenplays|publisher=Writers Guild of America|access-date=March 8, 2017|archive-date=November 22, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161122211118/http://www.wga.org/writers-room/101-best-lists/101-greatest-screenplays/list|url-status=live}}</ref> It is number 7 on ''Empire''{{'}}s 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120119034539/https://www.empireonline.com/500/94.asp ''Empire's'' The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time.] ''Empire'' via Internet Archive. Retrieved August 5, 2010.</ref> ''Empire'' re-ranked it at #20 in their 2014 list of ''The 301 Greatest Movies of All Time'',<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140712141357/http://www.empireonline.com/301/list.asp?page=27 ''Empire's'' The 301 Greatest Movies of All Time.] ''Empire''. Retrieved September 22, 2020.</ref> and again at #22 on their 2018 list of ''The 100 Greatest Movies''.<ref>[https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies-2/ ''Empire's'' The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729092135/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies-2/ |date=July 29, 2020 }} ''Empire''. Published March 20, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2020.</ref> It was voted No. 66 on the list of "100 Greatest Films" by the prominent French magazine ''Cahiers du cinéma'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmdetail.com/2008/11/23/cahiers-du-cinemas-100-greatest-films/|title=Cahiers du cinéma's 100 Greatest Films|date=November 23, 2008|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-date=July 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716224153/http://www.filmdetail.com/2008/11/23/cahiers-du-cinemas-100-greatest-films/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, ''The Guardian'' named ''Apocalypse Now'' "the best action and war film of all time."<ref>{{cite news|author=Billson, Anne|date=October 19, 2010|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/apocalypse-now-coppola-action|title=Apocalypse Now: the best action and war film of all time|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=July 12, 2021|archive-date=May 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507043136/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/19/apocalypse-now-coppola-action|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' ranked it 11th among 69 winners of the ''Palme d'Or''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cannes-palme-dor-winners-ranked-891143/item/best-intentions-palme-dor-winners-891108 |title=Cannes: All the Palme d'Or Winners, Ranked |last=THR Staff |access-date=September 20, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 10, 2016 |archive-date=August 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817231252/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cannes-palme-dor-winners-ranked-891143/item/best-intentions-palme-dor-winners-891108 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The New York Times'' included it on its ''Best 1000 Movies Ever'' list.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080612032429/https://www.nytimes.com/ref/movies/1000best.html The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made.] ''The New York Times'' via Internet Archive. Published April 29, 2003. Retrieved June 12, 2008.</ref> ''Entertainment Weekly'' ranked it as having one of the "10 Best Surfing Scenes" in cinema.<ref name="EWsurfing">{{cite magazine |title=10 Best Surfing Scenes |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 8, 2002 |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,231017__334753_9,00.html |access-date=April 24, 2009 |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211123533/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,231017__334753_9,00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Slant Magazine named Marlon Brando's role one the "15 Famous Movie Psychopaths".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Osenlund |first=R. Kurt |date=2012-10-13 |title=15 Famous Movie Psychopaths |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/15-famous-movie-psychopaths/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

On December 14, 1981, a day after martial law was enacted in the Soviet-controlled Polish People's Republic, photographer Chris Niedenthal photographed an OT-64 SKOT armored personnel carrier with soldiers of the Polish People's Army standing around it, in front of the {{ill|Moskwa Cinema|pl|Kino Moskwa w Warszawie}} with a banner containing the Polish-language title of the movie, which was {{lang|pl|Czas apokalipsy}} (literally: ''Time of the Apocalypse''). The photo became one of the most recognizable symbols of the events during the martial law in Poland between 1981 and 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fotal.pl/artykul/Chris_Niedenthal__13/12_Polska_stanu_wojennego_doc13221.html|title=Chris Niedenthal - '13/12. Polska stanu wojennego'|date=November 21, 2006|language=pl|website=fotal.pl|author=Anna Cymer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516061633/http://www.fotal.pl/artykul/Chris_Niedenthal__13/12_Polska_stanu_wojennego_doc13221.html|archive-date=May 16, 2009|access-date=June 20, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.national-geographic.pl/artykul/to-najslynniejsze-zdjecie-z-czasow-stanu-wojennego-w-polsce-idealnie-oddaje-nastroj-w-kraju#chris-niedenthal|title=To najsłynniejsze zdjęcie z czasów stanu wojennego w Polsce. Idealnie oddaje nastrój w kraju|date=December 9, 2020|author=Julia Lachowicz|language=pl|website=national-geographic.pl|access-date=June 20, 2023|archive-date=June 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620225706/https://www.national-geographic.pl/artykul/to-najslynniejsze-zdjecie-z-czasow-stanu-wojennego-w-polsce-idealnie-oddaje-nastroj-w-kraju#chris-niedenthal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jak powstało zdjęcie "Czas Apokalipsy" - najpopularniejszy symbol stanu wojennego? |date=December 13, 2021 |url=https://fotoblogia.pl/czas-apokalipsy-czyli-jak-powstal-najwiekszy-symbol-stanu-wojennego-40-lat-temu,6794347405211265a |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623221725/https://fotoblogia.pl/czas-apokalipsy-czyli-jak-powstal-najwiekszy-symbol-stanu-wojennego-40-lat-temu,6794347405211265a |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2002, ''Sight and Sound'' magazine invited several critics to name the best film of the last 25 years, and ''Apocalypse Now'' was named number one. It was also listed as the second-best war film by viewers on Channel 4's ''100 Greatest War Films'', and was the second-best war movie of all time based on the Movifone list (after ''Schindler's List'') and the IMDb War movie list (after ''The Longest Day''). It is ranked number 1 on Channel 4's ''50 Films to See Before You Die''. In a 2004 poll of UK film fans, Blockbuster listed Kilgore's eulogy to napalm as the best movie speech.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3362603.stm 'Napalm' speech tops movie poll] , January 2, 2004, BBC News. Retrieved February 18, 2008.</ref> The helicopter attack scene with the ''Ride of the Valkyries'' soundtrack was chosen as the most memorable film scene ever by ''Empire'' magazine. (The scene is recalled in one of the last acts of the 2012 video game ''Far Cry 3'', when the music is played while the character shoots from a helicopter.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/01/08/far-cry-3-review-part-two-through-the-looking-glass/ |title='Far Cry 3' Review – Part Two: Through The Looking Glass |work=Forbes |date=August 8, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2013 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207114736/http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/01/08/far-cry-3-review-part-two-through-the-looking-glass/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was likewise adapted for the ''Cat's Eye'' anime episode "From Runan Island with Love" and the Battle of Italica scene in ''Gate: Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri''.)

In 2009, the London Film Critics' Circle voted ''Apocalypse Now'' the best film of the last 30 years.<ref name="BBCTop30">{{cite news |title=War epic Apocalypse Now tops UK film critics poll |publisher=BBC |date=December 1, 2009 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8388124.stm |access-date=December 2, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204233105/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8388124.stm |archive-date=December 4, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was also included in BBC's 2015 list of the 100 greatest American films.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 20, 2015|title=The 100 Greatest American Films|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20150720-the-100-greatest-american-films|website=bbc|access-date=February 21, 2021|archive-date=January 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114132906/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20150720-the-100-greatest-american-films|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, actor Charlie Sheen, son of the film's leading actor Martin, started playing clips from the film on his live tour and played the film in its entirety during post-show parties. One of Sheen's films, the 1993 comedy ''Hot Shots! Part Deux'', includes a brief scene where Charlie is riding a boat up a river in Iraq while on a rescue mission and passes Martin, as Captain Willard, going the other way. As they pass, each man shouts to the other "I loved you in ''Wall Street''!," referring to the 1987 film that featured both of them. Additionally, the promotional material for ''Hot Shots! Part Deux'' included a mockumentary that aired on HBO titled ''Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology'', a parody of the 1991 documentary ''Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse'' about the making of ''Apocalypse Now''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tv.yahoo.com/show/11575 |title=Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux – A Filmmaker's Apology Television show – Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux – A Filmmaker's Apology TV Show – Yahoo!! TV |publisher=Yahoo! |date=April 20, 2011 |access-date=July 16, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320030009/http://tv.yahoo.com/show/11575 |archive-date=March 20, 2012}}</ref>

The film is credited with creating the Philippines surfing culture around the town of Baler, where the helicopter attack and surfing sequences were filmed.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Apocalypse Now inspired Filipino surfers|work=BBC News|author=Kate McGeown|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21941069|date=April 16, 2013|access-date=September 26, 2019|archive-date=October 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002133606/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21941069|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 25, 2017, Coppola announced that he was seeking funding through Kickstarter for a horror role-playing video game based on ''Apocalypse Now''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/games/apocalypse-now-video-game-francis-ford-coppola-1201969542/ |title="Apocalypse Now" Video Game in Works From Francis Ford Coppola |work=Variety |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=January 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126154143/http://variety.com/2017/digital/games/apocalypse-now-video-game-francis-ford-coppola-1201969542/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was later canceled by Montgomery Markland, the game's director, as revealed on its official Tumblr page.<ref>{{cite web |title=Apocalypse Now |url=https://apocalypsenowgame.tumblr.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225055451/https://apocalypsenowgame.tumblr.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 25, 2018 }}</ref>

''The Sympathizer'', a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Vietnamese-American author Viet Thanh Nguyen, features a subplot that Nguyen describes as a critique of ''Apocalypse Now.'' He told ''the New York Times'' that "''Apocalypse Now'' is an important work of art, but that doesn't mean I'm going to bow down before it. I'm going to fight with it because it fought with me." He said that the film centered on American perspectives of the war rather than Vietnamese experiences. He was especially critical of the scene where all the passengers of a boat were unjustly killed by the traveling party: "People just like me were being slaughtered. I felt violated."<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/22/books/viet-thanh-nguyen-prizewinning-author-of-the-sympathizer-still-wrestles-with-apocalypse-now.html|title = For Viet Thanh Nguyen, Author of 'The Sympathizer,' a Pulitzer but No Peace|newspaper = The New York Times|date = June 21, 2016|last1 = Streitfeld|first1 = David|access-date = April 8, 2021|archive-date = March 6, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210306085527/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/22/books/viet-thanh-nguyen-prizewinning-author-of-the-sympathizer-still-wrestles-with-apocalypse-now.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

The Seiko 6105 and its subsequent reissues have been nicknamed the "Captain Willard," in reference to its use by the eponymous character.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pennington |first1=Cole |title=Introducing: The Seiko SPB151 and SPB153 'Captain Willard' Prospex Models |url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/seiko-spb151-and-spb153-captain-willard-prospex-introducing |website=HODINKEE |access-date=August 28, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828104242/https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/seiko-spb151-and-spb153-captain-willard-prospex-introducing |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Jeff |title=Seiko Crafts Another More Affordable "Captain Willard" Alternative |url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/10/seiko-spb183-captain-willard-alternative-limited-edition |website=HYPEBEAST |access-date=August 28, 2022 |date=October 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828104242/https://hypebeast.com/2020/10/seiko-spb183-captain-willard-alternative-limited-edition |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2025, ''The Hollywood Reporter'' listed ''Apocalypse Now'' as having the best stunts of 1979.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doherty |first=Thomas |date=June 7, 2025 |title=The Best Stunts of All Time, Over Nearly 100 Years of the Oscars |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-stunts-all-time-movies-oscars-stunt-design-100-years/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720043450/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-stunts-all-time-movies-oscars-stunt-design-100-years/ |archive-date=July 20, 2025}}</ref>

In 2025, President Donald Trump made a reference to ''Apocalypse Now'' in a Truth Social post where he voiced support for a military occupation of Chicago.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-06 |title='This is not a joke': Chicago leaders slam Trump after president declares 'Chipocalypse Now' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/06/trump-chicago-ice-war-00548817 |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=POLITICO}}</ref>

== Documentaries == ''Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse'' (1991) (American Zoetrope/Zaloom Mayfield Productions); Directed by Eleanor Coppola, George Hickenlooper, and Fax Bahr

''Apocalypse Now – The Complete Dossier'' DVD (Paramount Home Entertainment) (2006). Disc 2 extras include: * ''The Post Production of ''Apocalypse Now'': Documentary'' (four featurettes covering the editing, music, and sound of the film through Coppola and his team) ** "A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of ''Apocalypse Now''" (18 minutes). Written and directed by Kim Aubry. ** "The Music of ''Apocalypse Now''" (15 minutes) ** "Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of ''Apocalypse Now''" (15 minutes) ** "The Final Mix" (3 minutes)

== Soundtrack == * "The End" – performed by The Doors * "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" – performed by The Rolling Stones * "Love Me, and Let Me Love You" – performed by Robert Duvall * "The Ride of the Valkyries" – performed by The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra * "Let the Good Times Roll" – performed by Shirley and Lee * "Suzie Q" – performed by Flash Cadillac * Excerpts from ''Mnong Gar Music from Vietnam'' * Collection Musee de l'homme * "Surfin' Safari" – performed by the Beach Boys

== See also == * ''Heart of Darkness'', Nicolas Roeg's 1993 film adaptation of the Conrad novel. * List of films considered the best * List of films featuring hallucinogens

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * Adair, Gilbert (1981) ''Vietnam on Film: From The Green Berets to Apocalypse Now''. Proteus. {{ISBN|0-906071-86-0}} * {{cite book|author-link=Peter Biskind|first=Peter|last=Biskind|year=1998|title=Easy Riders, Raging Bulls|publisher=Simon & Schuster|isbn=0-684-85708-1}} * Coppola, Eleanor (1979) ''Notes on the Making of Apocalypse Now''. Simon & Schuster. {{ISBN|0-87910-150-4}} * {{cite book |last=Cowie |first=Peter | author-link = Peter Cowie |title=Coppola |publisher=Scribner |year=1990 |location=New York |isbn=0-684-19193-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/coppolacowi00cowi }} * {{cite book |last=Cowie |first=Peter | author-link = Peter Cowie |year=2001|title=The Apocalypse Now Book|location=New York|publisher=Da Capo Press|isbn=978-0-306-81046-6}} *{{cite book |last=Eagan |first=Daniel |chapter=Apocalypse Now |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/americasfilmlega0000eaga/page/756/mode/2up |chapter-url-access=registration |title=America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry |url=https://archive.org/details/americasfilmlega0000eaga |url-access=registration |publisher=Continuum |publication-place=New York |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4411-1647-5 |oclc=676697377 |via=Internet Archive |ref=none}} * Fraser, George MacDonald (1988) ''The Hollywood History of the World: from One Million Years B.C. to Apocalypse Now''. Kobal Collection /Beech Tree Books. {{ISBN|0-688-07520-7}} * French, Karl (1999) ''Karl French on Apocalypse Now: A Bloomsbury Movie Guide''. Bloomsbury Publishing {{ISBN|1-58234-014-5}} * Milius, John & Coppola, Francis Ford (2001) ''Apocalypse Now Redux: An Original Screenplay''. Talk Miramax Books/Hyperion {{ISBN|0-7868-8745-1}} * Tosi, Umberto & Glaser, Milton. (1979) ''Apocalypse Now'' – Program distributed in connection with the opening of the film. United Artists * Travers, Steven ''Coppola's Monster Film: The Making of Apocalypse Now'', McFarland 2016, {{ISBN|978-1-4766-6425-5}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{AFI film|67464}} * {{mojo title|apocalypsenow}} * {{IMDb title|0078788}} * {{Metacritic film}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|apocalypse_now}} * The strained making of ''Apocalypse Now'' at [https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-strained-making-of-apocalypse-now-1758689.html www.independent.co.uk].

{{Apocalypse Now}} {{Navboxes |title = Related topics of ''Apocalypse Now'' |list1 = {{Heart of Darkness}} {{Conrad}} {{Francis Ford Coppola}} {{John Milius}} {{Palme d'Or}} {{Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score}} {{London Film Critics Circle Award for Film of the Year}} }} {{Authority control}}

Category:Apocalypse Now Category:1979 films Category:1979 drama films Category:1979 English-language films Category:1970s adventure drama films Category:1970s war drama films Category:1979 war films Category:1979 American films Category:American Zoetrope films Category:American adventure drama films Category:American war epic films Category:American surfing films Category:American war drama films Category:Animal cruelty incidents in film Category:Anti-war films about the Vietnam War Category:English-language adventure drama films Category:Existentialist films Category:Films about United States Army Special Forces Category:Films about assassinations Category:Films about deserters Category:Films about the United States Navy Category:Films based on the Divine Comedy Category:Films based on Inferno (Dante) Category:Films directed by Francis Ford Coppola Category:Films featuring a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe winning performance Category:Films produced by Francis Ford Coppola Category:Films scored by Carmine Coppola Category:Films scored by Patrick Gleeson Category:Films set in 1969 Category:Films set in Cambodia Category:Films set in Vietnam Category:Films shot in the Philippines Category:Films that won the Best Sound Mixing Academy Award Category:Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography Academy Award Category:Films whose director won the Best Direction BAFTA Award Category:Films whose director won the Best Director Golden Globe Category:Films with screenplays by Francis Ford Coppola Category:Films with screenplays by John Milius Category:Palme d'Or winners Category:United Artists films Category:United States National Film Registry films Category:Vietnam War films Category:War adventure films Category:Works based on the Divine Comedy Category:Films based on British novels Category:Films based on Heart of Darkness Category:American IMAX films Category:English-language war drama films Category:Films about psychopaths and sociopaths Category:Filmed deaths of animals Category:Films with unreliable narrators

Apocalypse Now

Connections

Linked from (790 total)

Links to (366 total)