Many releases today lack the visual splendor and grandeur of “Apocalypse Now” even though the new DVD release had its wings clipped, it still soars high.
Both the original theatrical release and the superior re-release feature aggressive and enveloping Dolby Digital 5.1 multi-channel surround mixes. "Apocalypse Now Redux" does have a slightly cleaner and more powerful audible presentation than its older stablemate, but both are powerful sounding mixes. There are many scenes when every speaker jumps to life and you just want to turn up the volume louder. Even though the movie does not focus on combat, there is enough gunfire and explosions aside from the Air Cavalry scene to keep the soundtrack jumping. Throw in a few great classic Rock and R&B tunes and Wagner´s classical composition and "Apocalypse Now" is as epic in its soundtrack as it is in its visual appeal. Bass is extremely deep. Imaging is superb. For a film that is now twenty seven years old, it rivals the best soundtracks of today in its presence.
Extras:
This DVD release of "Apocalypse Now" and "Apocalypse Now Redux" is called "The Complete Dossier." I was very saddened when I found out that this DVD release is far from complete. One notable and very important MIA supplement is the powerful and incredible documentary "Hearts of Darkness." Why does Paramount continue to torture us and not give this film a DVD release or include it with an "Apocalypse Now" DVD set. I´d gladly pony up a few extra dollars to purchase a mega 3-disc or 4-disc film of the set that truly can be called "Complete." "Hearts of Darkness" is easily worth another ten dollars. A few other bits and pieces are notably missing. The important supplement chronicling the destruction of Kurtz´s compound that was contained on the first DVD iteration is missing. The theatrical trailers are also missing. Therefore, "The Complete Dossier" is far from complete. It is still a very nice two disc set, but I´m going to cry foul on the omissions made.
There is still a boatload of extras to be found in "The Complete Dossier." Having both Apocalypse Now (1979) and Apocalypse Now Redux (2001) in one DVD set is very value-minded for the price of a single release. I have come to look at the films contained in this set as my "16x9 Friendly" titles. I have three spots in my collection for cases dedicated to this film as I feel I have to hold onto the older releases (Yeah, I´m a purist of sorts), but I really like the idea of having both releases together in one set. The first film was released onto DVD in 1999. DVD was still young and the release is technically inferior to this one. The re-release hit stores in 2001. Each film is broken down into two acts. The first disc contains a number of supplements and the first half of the film. The second disc contains the second half of the film and even more goodies. It is also packaged in a clever cardboard package that has a Velcro fastener and mimics the look of the sealed dossier from the film.
A full-length audio commentary entitled Watch the films with Francis Coppola is spread across both discs. While watching the original theatrical release or the re-release, Coppola provides a release specific short introduction. This is a nice touch. The commentary track is edited to fit either viewing selection. If you are watching the original version, you get the base commentary track. If you are watching "Apocalypse Now Redux," you get the same exact commentary track provided for the original release, but additional parts are edited in that focus on the forty-nine minutes of additional footage. This is very nicely done and I highly suggest that if you intend to watch the movie with its director, you select the longer version so you only have to listen once. It is an engaging and well done commentary and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. A ton of information was provided about the film I love so much. I learned a lot and with the hardships and troubles that faced the production of the film, it is almost a must listen for anybody who enjoys the picture. In addition to the commentary, a small feature called Redux Marker allows you to activate a subtitle track that lets you know in big yellow letters when you are seeing footage from the newer version of the film.
The first disc contains about an hour of bonus materials. Up first is The Hollow Men. No, this isn´t a Paul Verhoeven film. It is a seventeen minute long reading of the T.S. Eliot poem that is recited in part by Marlon Brando in the film. Here, Brando reads the entire poem. This gives you an idea of how much effort was put into capturing every possible element in the production of the film. Monkey Sampan is a three minute long ´lost scene´ from the production of the film that is oddly not part of the deleted scenes, but quite disturbing and interesting to watch. Speaking of deleted scenes, there are twelve Additional Scenes and they run for twenty six minutes. A few of these scenes are very noteworthy to watch. Scott Glenn´s character, Lieutenant Colby is given a bit of screen time here. The scene "Special Forces Knife" gives light to the fates of both Glenn´s character and Dennis Hopper´s character. I surely did not expect to see what happened in this scene. Good stuff.
The second section of supplements on the first disc is entitled A/V Club Featurettes. These extra materials detail the post-production work and technical side that goes into making a film the scope of "Apocalypse Now." These bits really are for the Audio/Video enthusiasts. The Birth of 5.1 Sound looks at how "Apocalypse Now" was the first film to actually use our beloved 5.1 sound format. Noteworthy: "Apocalypse Now" went on to win the Oscar for Best Sound. Ghost Helicopter Flyover is a four minute demonstration of the creation of sound effects for the film. The Synthesizer Soundtrack is an article written by a gentleman named Bob Moog. Moog invented the Moog synthesizer and this article looks at the instrument and its usage in the Oscar winning soundtrack of "Apocalypse Now." Finally, "Technical FAQ" answers six questions about the making of the film and the DVD set and it explains the 2:1 aspect ratio controversy.
The second disc contains the meaty set of featurettes that create The Post Production of Apocalypse Now making-of documentary. These sections are broken down into four smaller sections that run for a combined time of about 51 minutes. I previously mentioned the two hundred hours of footage. This tremendous amount of film and the massive editing task is described in the eighteen minute long A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now. The Music of Apocalypse Now is a look at the songs and score used in the film. Heard Any Good Movies Lately? is a great look at the wonderful sound editing of the film. Some juicy bits are given as to the creative nature in creating the film´s brilliant sound effects. The Final Mix is a three minute short that wraps up the documentary. This documentary features interviews with crew members and those of the cast. This is a very deep look at the film that is a worthwhile watch, but does not approach the greatness of "Hearts of Darkness."
Three short bits wrap up the lengthy collection of materials for "The Complete Dossier" release. Apocalypse Then and Now finds the director reminiscing on the welcomes received by both the original film and the updated re-release. It is important to note that the original began production just a handful of years after the Vietnam War ended when you consider the warm memories of Coppola. PBR Streetgang is a four minute look that finds the cast of PBR Streetgang reuniting to discuss their ordeal in the making of the film. This supplement was way too short considering the great stories these men could have told. Finally, The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now goes into great detail about choices made in the coloring of these incredible motion pictures. Though a bit dry, this short featurette was informative. While browsing around on the menus, I did manage to find an Easter Egg. I bet this is not the only Egg on the disc. So, it seems like the lengthy list of supplements are not the only goodies to be found. Of course, even with the great number of quality supplements, it is hard to not long for what is missing. Paramount, please deliver the companion making-of film, "Hearts of Darkness."
Closing Thoughts.
3451. That number is the word count that Microsoft Word is telling me this review sat at after I completed the Extras section. Without setting out to do so, I have written an epic review of an epic film. The writing of this review was not all that was epic. It took me three days of digging around to complete my experience with the DVD before I typed a word. That is about fifteen hours of time. I watched both films on the first night. I watched "Apocalypse Now Redux" with the commentary track on the second night and took in some of the supplements. I watched the rest of the supplements and enjoyed my favorite scene again on the third night. Then I sat down to write this monster. Seems like a lot of work where my compensation is the DVD sent to review. So why put myself through this grueling task? Well, this was nothing compared to the effort to bring the film to life. And, I really do love this film. It is one of my favorite films of all time and I still feel I have not done the picture justice with my six pages of rambling. I consider "Apocalypse Now Redux" one of the twenty-five finest films every produced. It is an incredible and epic experience that is nicely delivered and chronicled in "The Complete Dossier" release.
This is not a perfect release, however. The sound is still pretty damn incredible. For being billed as "The Complete Dossier," the set is missing the valuable Kurtz Compound Footage and also the best documentary every made when it comes to theatrical making-of documentaries. "Hearts of Darkness" is still missing. Regardless, cent for cent, dollar for dollar, this is the finest DVD release of Francis Ford Coppola´s timeless picture. It has never looked or sounded better and the commentary track is certainly a high value supplement. When you take into account the worth of the film and the large number of supplements, for $19, how can you not consider this one of the best values on DVD?
Extras:
This DVD release of "Apocalypse Now" and "Apocalypse Now Redux" is called "The Complete Dossier." I was very saddened when I found out that this DVD release is far from complete. One notable and very important MIA supplement is the powerful and incredible documentary "Hearts of Darkness." Why does Paramount continue to torture us and not give this film a DVD release or include it with an "Apocalypse Now" DVD set. I´d gladly pony up a few extra dollars to purchase a mega 3-disc or 4-disc film of the set that truly can be called "Complete." "Hearts of Darkness" is easily worth another ten dollars. A few other bits and pieces are notably missing. The important supplement chronicling the destruction of Kurtz´s compound that was contained on the first DVD iteration is missing. The theatrical trailers are also missing. Therefore, "The Complete Dossier" is far from complete. It is still a very nice two disc set, but I´m going to cry foul on the omissions made.
There is still a boatload of extras to be found in "The Complete Dossier." Having both Apocalypse Now (1979) and Apocalypse Now Redux (2001) in one DVD set is very value-minded for the price of a single release. I have come to look at the films contained in this set as my "16x9 Friendly" titles. I have three spots in my collection for cases dedicated to this film as I feel I have to hold onto the older releases (Yeah, I´m a purist of sorts), but I really like the idea of having both releases together in one set. The first film was released onto DVD in 1999. DVD was still young and the release is technically inferior to this one. The re-release hit stores in 2001. Each film is broken down into two acts. The first disc contains a number of supplements and the first half of the film. The second disc contains the second half of the film and even more goodies. It is also packaged in a clever cardboard package that has a Velcro fastener and mimics the look of the sealed dossier from the film.
A full-length audio commentary entitled Watch the films with Francis Coppola is spread across both discs. While watching the original theatrical release or the re-release, Coppola provides a release specific short introduction. This is a nice touch. The commentary track is edited to fit either viewing selection. If you are watching the original version, you get the base commentary track. If you are watching "Apocalypse Now Redux," you get the same exact commentary track provided for the original release, but additional parts are edited in that focus on the forty-nine minutes of additional footage. This is very nicely done and I highly suggest that if you intend to watch the movie with its director, you select the longer version so you only have to listen once. It is an engaging and well done commentary and I thoroughly enjoyed listening. A ton of information was provided about the film I love so much. I learned a lot and with the hardships and troubles that faced the production of the film, it is almost a must listen for anybody who enjoys the picture. In addition to the commentary, a small feature called Redux Marker allows you to activate a subtitle track that lets you know in big yellow letters when you are seeing footage from the newer version of the film.
The first disc contains about an hour of bonus materials. Up first is The Hollow Men. No, this isn´t a Paul Verhoeven film. It is a seventeen minute long reading of the T.S. Eliot poem that is recited in part by Marlon Brando in the film. Here, Brando reads the entire poem. This gives you an idea of how much effort was put into capturing every possible element in the production of the film. Monkey Sampan is a three minute long ´lost scene´ from the production of the film that is oddly not part of the deleted scenes, but quite disturbing and interesting to watch. Speaking of deleted scenes, there are twelve Additional Scenes and they run for twenty six minutes. A few of these scenes are very noteworthy to watch. Scott Glenn´s character, Lieutenant Colby is given a bit of screen time here. The scene "Special Forces Knife" gives light to the fates of both Glenn´s character and Dennis Hopper´s character. I surely did not expect to see what happened in this scene. Good stuff.
The second section of supplements on the first disc is entitled A/V Club Featurettes. These extra materials detail the post-production work and technical side that goes into making a film the scope of "Apocalypse Now." These bits really are for the Audio/Video enthusiasts. The Birth of 5.1 Sound looks at how "Apocalypse Now" was the first film to actually use our beloved 5.1 sound format. Noteworthy: "Apocalypse Now" went on to win the Oscar for Best Sound. Ghost Helicopter Flyover is a four minute demonstration of the creation of sound effects for the film. The Synthesizer Soundtrack is an article written by a gentleman named Bob Moog. Moog invented the Moog synthesizer and this article looks at the instrument and its usage in the Oscar winning soundtrack of "Apocalypse Now." Finally, "Technical FAQ" answers six questions about the making of the film and the DVD set and it explains the 2:1 aspect ratio controversy.
The second disc contains the meaty set of featurettes that create The Post Production of Apocalypse Now making-of documentary. These sections are broken down into four smaller sections that run for a combined time of about 51 minutes. I previously mentioned the two hundred hours of footage. This tremendous amount of film and the massive editing task is described in the eighteen minute long A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now. The Music of Apocalypse Now is a look at the songs and score used in the film. Heard Any Good Movies Lately? is a great look at the wonderful sound editing of the film. Some juicy bits are given as to the creative nature in creating the film´s brilliant sound effects. The Final Mix is a three minute short that wraps up the documentary. This documentary features interviews with crew members and those of the cast. This is a very deep look at the film that is a worthwhile watch, but does not approach the greatness of "Hearts of Darkness."
Three short bits wrap up the lengthy collection of materials for "The Complete Dossier" release. Apocalypse Then and Now finds the director reminiscing on the welcomes received by both the original film and the updated re-release. It is important to note that the original began production just a handful of years after the Vietnam War ended when you consider the warm memories of Coppola. PBR Streetgang is a four minute look that finds the cast of PBR Streetgang reuniting to discuss their ordeal in the making of the film. This supplement was way too short considering the great stories these men could have told. Finally, The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now goes into great detail about choices made in the coloring of these incredible motion pictures. Though a bit dry, this short featurette was informative. While browsing around on the menus, I did manage to find an Easter Egg. I bet this is not the only Egg on the disc. So, it seems like the lengthy list of supplements are not the only goodies to be found. Of course, even with the great number of quality supplements, it is hard to not long for what is missing. Paramount, please deliver the companion making-of film, "Hearts of Darkness."
Closing Thoughts.
3451. That number is the word count that Microsoft Word is telling me this review sat at after I completed the Extras section. Without setting out to do so, I have written an epic review of an epic film. The writing of this review was not all that was epic. It took me three days of digging around to complete my experience with the DVD before I typed a word. That is about fifteen hours of time. I watched both films on the first night. I watched "Apocalypse Now Redux" with the commentary track on the second night and took in some of the supplements. I watched the rest of the supplements and enjoyed my favorite scene again on the third night. Then I sat down to write this monster. Seems like a lot of work where my compensation is the DVD sent to review. So why put myself through this grueling task? Well, this was nothing compared to the effort to bring the film to life. And, I really do love this film. It is one of my favorite films of all time and I still feel I have not done the picture justice with my six pages of rambling. I consider "Apocalypse Now Redux" one of the twenty-five finest films every produced. It is an incredible and epic experience that is nicely delivered and chronicled in "The Complete Dossier" release.
This is not a perfect release, however. The sound is still pretty damn incredible. For being billed as "The Complete Dossier," the set is missing the valuable Kurtz Compound Footage and also the best documentary every made when it comes to theatrical making-of documentaries. "Hearts of Darkness" is still missing. Regardless, cent for cent, dollar for dollar, this is the finest DVD release of Francis Ford Coppola´s timeless picture. It has never looked or sounded better and the commentary track is certainly a high value supplement. When you take into account the worth of the film and the large number of supplements, for $19, how can you not consider this one of the best values on DVD?
![Partridge Family, The [TV Show]](/images/displaymedia.php?id=24903&sizew=70&cat=3)
Average user rating (1-5):
[release]19023[/release]