User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 201 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 7 out of 201

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  1. Sep 10, 2011
    9
    Francis Coppola's haunting war movie "Apocalypse Now" presents (obviously) powerful performance from Marlon Brando and a lasting appeal. Easily one of the greatest, and possibly the darkest, war movie I have ever encountered. -REDUX VERSION-
    The movie once again throws us off the hook with chilling cinematography and realism. However, most of the added parts are trivial and have no depth i
    n scene compared to the original scenes of "Apocalypse Now". Expand
  2. IainF
    Feb 26, 2009
    10
    Best film ever made. Simple as that. The effect it has on your emotions, one minute you're smiling and laughing along, then it will suddenly skip to silence, and death, and horror... The horror. You can't miss this one.
  3. JoeK.
    Feb 28, 2006
    0
    The original was a classic. Flawed, but still a classic. This new version adds 49 minutes that's virtually worthless, not to mention tedious - a French plantation sequence seems to go on forever while adding little to the picture. Rent it and watch it ONCE, but don't count on loving this version more than the original.
  4. JimM.
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    The BEST movie ever.
  5. EdouardV.
    Aug 27, 2001
    10
    The added footage makes the film slower so that you can grow into the madness of war.
  6. Nov 7, 2012
    10
    Apocalypse Now is one of the most awe-inspiring films of all time. It truly is, in every sense of the word, a masterpiece.
  7. BenjaminA.
    Aug 7, 2004
    4
    I guess I'm just not a fan of this movie, simply put.
  8. GilbertM.
    Nov 11, 2002
    10
    Possibly a little swollen now, but you can't argue with one of the greatest movies of all time. Oh, you can (Edelstein) but you're wrong. And a moron. And wrong.
  9. GoodyL.
    Jun 26, 2002
    10
    A remake of a movie that dosen't f... it up.
  10. PIRANHAG.
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    What was good is now outstanding.
  11. Jeremy
    Sep 29, 2003
    10
    The original is ultimately the better version, as a clumsy french plantation scene threatens to break the rhythm. But ANR gave people a chance to see one of the American masterpeices the way it was meant to see, on the big screen.
  12. MickeyH.
    Jan 8, 2004
    10
    It's the best fim ever even people who haven't seen it know about the excellent helicopter flight seen with the flight of the valkyre bluring out. true classic.
  13. AkhilK.
    Jul 10, 2004
    10
    Simply too good for words and even better for pictures. You HAVE to see this movie in its entirety to realize the crazed dream and hallucinagenic direction has gave forth to. Magnificent. All two hours and 15 minutes of it.
  14. IbanL
    Apr 9, 2008
    5
    There are really good things in this film. It is really original, and I love the way it reaches such an spiritual atmosphere without ever losing the sense of reality. Nevertheless, this long version of the film is terribly slow and boring. I kind of lose interest very early.
  15. FelixK.
    Oct 31, 2007
    10
    What is left to say ? Nothing, I think. It's the best war movie ever, so that it belongs to the 10 best pictures of all time. Everybody who has never seen this one has missed a piece of culture !!!
  16. Jan 12, 2011
    10
    My personal favorite film of all time. It changed the way I view film, art, and even life. The acting is flawless, it has the most beautiful cinematography in the history of film, the messages are powerful and haunting. It stays with you the rest of your life. Which is something not many films can claim.
  17. Jun 4, 2011
    8
    Well, my favorite movie of all time is Apocalypse Now. But I mean the original theatrical cut, this Redux version is okay, but all the added scenes is really pointless and they can really do without.
  18. osh
    Dec 22, 2012
    3
    Apocalypse Now was bizarre, and I didn't understand it or enjoy it. I got the feeling that it was supposed to be the skewed memories of a mentally ill soldier's experiences in the Vietnam War, and it was somewhat interesting in that light, but that aspect didn't keep me interested for the entire two-and-a-half-hour running time. It was slow, weird, and boring at parts, and at others it was too fast and saturated with ridiculous action shots. The entire thing, though, was confusing to me. Every character seemed to act so strangely with no given explanation as to why, and while this would make sense if the movie was indeed shown through the eyes of a madman (or if everyone was a madman), it was still be frustrating to watch. There were also lots of fireworks posing as rockets and gunfire, and there was a good deal of cheesy synthesizer music that didn't help the movie. I couldn't find much to actually enjoy or appreciate in Apocalypse Now. I seem to be a small minority in my opinion of this film, I do realize, but I just want to make my voice heard so new viewers don't think that this movie's supposed "universal acclaim" is actually universal. Collapse
  19. Oct 19, 2011
    10
    Best film ever... Wonderful depiction of human psyche transmitted by making you feel the message.
  20. Oct 31, 2011
    this movie is released in August 3, 2001. Are they REALIZE that's the second year of 21st century? why would they still used 1979 Vietnam war epic as the film theme and without alternating 'em.
  21. SeanC.
    Aug 9, 2001
    7
    The "new" cut of Apocalypse Now enlarges the original's quotient of brilliance and b.s. It's a vision, nothing more than that maybe, but compared to what's showing on today's screens, that's an accomplishment.
  22. BrendanM.
    May 16, 2006
    8
    I'd love to say this movie is great. I really would. The message that is trying to be delivered is valient, and I applaude Coppola for his efforts. And the explosions. Oh the explosions. The action is AMAZING. I loved it. But there is a reason this movie doesnt get a 9, or even a 10. The sheer weird factor. I know thats part of the whole Apocalypse Now vibe, but this movie is surreal to the point of annoyence. A rent. Just watch it, and be disturbed. Expand
  23. VanA.
    Aug 5, 2001
    9
    Surely, the best movie-going experience of the summer. Especially if one compares it to such drivel as "A.I.," "Tomb Raider," "Swordfish," and even "Planet of the Apes." I have seen the four hour rough cut of Apocalpyse, and always thought we needed to get deeper into Kurtz's head. The Redux version is definitely the best movie-going experience this summer.
  24. IdwalR.
    Sep 28, 2002
    9
    Much more coherent than the original cut version...the weird, haunting story line is allowed to unfold with fewer intuitive leaps required of the viewer. The French Plantation Scene is reason enough to see this augmented redux. The questionable premise of all U.S. military as being either incompetent, homicidal or insane is reinforced in the longer cut; this is the reason I rate this masterpiece of cinematography (and propaganda) only a 9 instead of a 10. Expand
  25. YoonC.
    Sep 13, 2003
    9
    Though longer than the original theatrical release this film moves at a more brisk pace and is more engaging. The original version had three movements. The opening and Kilgore which were both masterful. Then it slumbered into one long dull river journey. In Redux the meandering river journey is enlivened by a more multifaceted Willard(he's not only an outsider but at times one of the boys, a soldier's soldier), with interludes that offer some light contrasts--both in spirit and color--to the heavily dark tone of the movie. The scene with Brando in daylight reading articles from Time magazine is the best Kurtz scene by far, suggestive of not only of his madness and egomania but his charm and humor. The ending is still confused, not all new additions are firstrate but the overall scope of the film has been immeasurable enriched and enlarged. Expand
  26. JordanD.
    Jan 12, 2004
    9
    I loved this movie and recommend it to many from young-adult to adult. I enjoy Apocalypse now and it is one of my all time favorite movies
  27. Mr.Hankey
    Apr 30, 2006
    10
    Apocalypse Now rushes at you like a bolt of lightning. By the beginning your confused and by the end let's just say your even more distraught. This classic by Francis Ford Coppola is genuine and brilliant in many ways. The movie obviously based on the novel Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad is very violent in a disturbing way but shows the reality and pain war causes. The movie has an all star cast including Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall and Dennis Hopper who all do fabulous but don't forget about Little Laurence Fishburne who does a great job himself. The movie is a portrayal of mental objectives in a way. The themes that leave you awestruck in the movie are the themes that at times are the most brutal. One is war is total .... . [***SPOILERS***] By all the deaths that took place in this movie and the controversy of Marlon Brando's character Colonel Kurtz. The other theme that left me stunned that was really brought out through the whole movie but you only understood near the end when Kurtz is talking to Willard ( Sheen ). Death can only be your friends by the way you take actions towards people but if not the correct way death is your enemy. Which is definitely a very thought provoking and extremely disturbing idea. Still the movie suceeds in every aspect. Expand
  28. RickJ.G.
    May 18, 2003
    10
    What a wonderful job the makers of this restoration did. It looks fabulous. The additional footage with the Playboy Bunnies is so surreal it leaves the viewer wondering if it isn't a drug-induced dream. Maybe the scene is a dream since we know Willard is guzzling down a lot of liquor during his journey to Kurt's village. It makes no sense. Why would Willard give up a couple of drums of fuel, in exchange for Chef and Lance getting a few minutes with a couple of the bunnies, when he still has a considerable journey up the river ahead of him? Willard gradually becomes consumed with confronting Kurt, so it makes no sense for him to jeopardize his ability to meet Kurtz. It has to be a dream. I really liked the scene on the French plantation, especially the widows longing to spend the night in Willard's arms. It's amusing watching her wait for her loud mouthed relatives to leave the dinner table so she can be alone with Willard. This scene also leaves the viewer wondering if Willard's dreaming again. Get rid of the Playboy Bunny scenes, keep the French plantation scene and you've got a movie that is better than the original. Still one of the greatest of all time. It blows away most of the cookie-cutter dreck put out by Hollywood these days. Expand
  29. GregE.
    May 7, 2003
    9
    The colour, the sound, the smell... All new directors and producers of movies should study this film, and learn how to make a damn good piece of cinema. I have not seen a movie this good in over 10 years.
  30. JordanD.
    Jan 12, 2004
    9
    I loved this movie and recommend it to many from young-adult to adult. I enjoy Apocalypse now and it is one of my all time favorite movies
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Negative: 1 out of 29
  1. 100
    Such gorgeous explosions, such a terrible vision, such an amazing work of art. Go. Now.
  2. 100
    One of the great films of all time. It shames modern Hollywood's timidity. To watch it is to feel yourself lifted up to the heights where the cinema can take you, but so rarely does.
  3. Better in certain ways than the original "Apocalypse Now," though the flaws are also magnified.