Apocalypse Now
“You must make a friend of horror. Horror and morale terror.” After watching the voiceover and fading through editing. The more important use of shadows during the scenes that show human nature of its core. All of these aspects made it a spiritual experience. So deep I’m scared to log this film in the fear of my misunderstanding. This film encapsulates the fear of the unknown the fear of the horror humanity can create which at its height the horror of war a manmade creation in Vietnam. Kurts understanding of the war is that humanity has failed to carry through battle correctly given the speech of when his squadron in special forces cut off the tribes arms. Then he realized that the men in the force created a friend of horror to commit brutal acts without emotion. The exact opposite of Kilgor and nearly all of the soldiers in Vietnam. They are all obsessed with this idea of finding a way home. Even if it means creating a home out of the hell hole that is Vietnam. They fight for R&R rather than victory and going home. The more they pretend to make it like home the more scared they are of battle. In Kurts vision the soldiers must have no emotion opinions on carrying out their actions no gain no feeling towards a kill. Every single one of these soldiers is scared of the unknown of the jungle Vietnam has to offer and Kurts in his line making a friend of horror is to make a friend of the brutal and unknown jungle scape that is Vietnam. It is natural in human nature to fear the unknown. Its why the tribe saw Kurts as a deity he was the answer to the unknown. Seen as the ritual sacrifice of the water buffalo as he was being killed symbolizes the death of their God and the replacement of Willard. To show at its core the movie went from American ideals and identity to mysticism and ritual the whole journey takes us through. Overall and amazing movie from script to characters to shots and especially the editing and lighting which made such a ritual experience this should be in the top 10 list of perfect movies and im sure it is.