Apocalypse Now

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the release of Apocalypse Now. I can't believe this film is 35 yrs old.

I still feel that its message is still as relevant and timeless as it shall ever be. Unfortunately, war and madness shall always be a part of our culture as long as there are shadowy company-men and leaders still fighting today's war with the latest technology and weapons while the men-in-charge utilize the tactics of the past. The more conventional army will always have a disadvantage fighting the indigenous people.

Even though the occupying army fights for a cause, the indigenous people defend their homeland because "These men who fought with their hearts who had families, who had children, who were filled with love, and go ... If I had ten divisions of those men, are troubles here would be over very quickly. You have to have men who are moral, and at the same time, who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to kill without feeling, without passion, without judgement, without judgement! Because its judgement that defeats us. "This is the great lesson that Kurtz teaches.

I feel that one can learn from the dialogue that Kurtz (Marlon Brando) shares with Willard (Martin Sheen) during his journey upriver. Captain Willard learns a great deal about the illusive Col. Kurtz as well as himself in this classic film. This man is pushed to the very limits of his mental and physical capabilities and beyond.