Apocalypse Now. (1979). Cert 18. Director - Francis Ford Coppola. Writer - John Milius Starring - Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Dennis Hopper & Larry Fishburne.

Premise - Special forces operative Martin Sheen is sent deep into the Cambodian jungle to track down and take out (with extreme prejudice) insane Marlon Brando. It's been about 6 years since I last saw Apocalypse Now, with the Redux version coming out I thought it would be fitting to dig out the tape and give it a viewing. One of the things that struck me about Apocalypse Now is how beautiful it looks; the cinematography is off the highest standard. Glorious use of lighting and location add up to the plushest looking war film ever made. When I was watching it I just felt like I was watching a classic. Famous quotes and scenes litter the movie; it's like meeting an old friend when you watch it. Martin Sheen is the best I have seen him and Brando is mesmerising. You hang on every word that he utters like it's the gospel. Good work from the support as well including a (very) young Laurence Fishburne and nice cameo from Harrison Ford as Colonel Lucas (nice!). Keep an eye out for a cheeky cameo by director Francis Ford Coppola as a war documentary maker. For all it's good points however it does become ponderous in the final third, the news that the Redux version adds a further hour to the 147 minute running time doesn't fill me with confidence. A beautiful film, not the ultimate Nam movie (Full Metal Jacket does it for me every time), but damn close. War is hell.

8/10 for Apocalypse Now. Poster Quote - Apocalypse Then.