Dir: Francis Ford Coppola, 1979 (10*)
Palm d'Or (Cannes )
Loosely based on the Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness, Coppola's most unique film is a visual feast of the Vietnam war, a near dreamlike excursion into the soul using the metaphor of the boat trip deep into the jungle, where civilized men fear to tread. Perhaps Martin Sheen's narration is unnecessary, even grating at times, and a huge Marlon Brando was "a puzzlement", but several sequences make up for it and are some of the best put on film, notably the dawn helicopter raid to the Wagner "Ride of the Valkyries" music. Watch the longer "Redux" version if you haven't, it restores some deleted scenes from the theatrical release; I liked it even more. Robert Duvall as a gung-ho air cavalry colonel was nominated for supporting actor and should have won!
Companion Film: the excellent documentary filmed by wife Eleanor Coppola, Hearts of Darkness and her book about the location filming, Notes.
Quote: I love the smell of napalm in the morning; it smells like.... victory! (Robert Duvall)
Quote2: Charlie don't surf! (Robert Duvall)