Apocalypse Now

Perhaps the most iconic movie about the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now follows a small group of soldiers that are sent deep into the Vietnam jungle to assassinate a rogue colonel. The film masterfully executes its theme about war with engaging dialogue and horrifying but realistic depictions of destruction and bloodshed. Instead of scrutinizing the conflict Coppola set out to merely recreate it which led to what is considered the best Vietnam War film in a decade full of them.

Production

Directed by Francis Coppola

Produced by Francis Coppola

Written by John Milius, Francis Coppola

Narration by Michael Herr

Starring Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, Larry Fishburne, Dennis Hopper

Music by Carmine Coppola, Francis Coppola

Cinematography by Vittorio Storaro

Edited by Richard Marks, Walter Murch, Gerald B. Greenberg, Lisa Fruchtman

Production company: Omni Zoetrope

Distribution & Stats

Distributed by United Artists

Release date: May 19, 1979 (Cannes,) August 15, 1979 (United States)

Running time: 153 minutes

Country: United States

Language: English

Budget: $31 million

Box office: $150 million