Apocalypse Now: Final Cut

APOCALYPSE NOW (1979)
45th Anniversary Screening
Sunday, March 3, at 6:00 PM on the dot
Laemmle’s Royal Theatre
Special Q&A + book sale & signing with Sam Wasson, author of the new book The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story and Actress Colleen Camp. Intro by Ms. Camp.

Laemmle Theatres and the Anniversary Classics Series present a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic Vietnam War movie, 'Apocalypse Now,' in the director’s approved version restored in 2019: 'Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut.' When it was originally released in 1979, it scored at the box office and earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. It won two Oscars, for the striking cinematography by Vittorio Storaro and for Best Sound.

Loosely inspired by Joseph Conrad’s enthralling novel 'Heart of Darkness,' the screenplay was by Coppola, John Milius, and Michael Herr (a journalist who wrote the acclaimed book about the war, 'Dispatches'). The main character, Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen), is ordered to travel through Vietnam and track down Colonel Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando), who has gone rogue and established his own savage regime in Cambodia. Willard’s orders are to assassinate Kurtz to save the military from disgrace.

The supporting cast includes Robert Duvall (who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the surf-loving Colonel Kilgore), Laurence Fishburne, Frederic Forrest, Scott Glenn, Sam Bottoms, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, and Colleen Camp. Although the troubled production went way over budget on location in the Philippines, it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1979 and earned strong reviews from many critics. Kathleen Carroll of the New York Daily News wrote, “Certainly no movie in history has ever presented stronger proof that war is living hell.” Amy Taubin of the Village Voice added, “'Apocalypse' has the expressive extravagance of a Wagner opera—and not merely because the swooping helicopter scene is set to the ‘Ride of the Valkyries.’” Roger Ebert considered it one of the greatest films ever made.

Author Sam Wasson did extensive research, with special access to Coppola’s private papers, to write his new book, 'The Path to Paradise: A Francis Ford Coppola Story.' The New York Times praised the book as “a marvel of unshowy reportage,” and Publishers Weekly declared, “Movie buffs won’t want to miss this.” Wasson has also written the acclaimed books, 'The Big Goodbye' (about the making of 'Chinatown'), 'Fifth Avenue 5 AM' (about 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s') and 'Fosse.' He will be selling and signing his book at the screening.

Colleen Camp has an extensive list of credits over the last 50 years, including 'Valley Girl,' 'Clue,' 'Wayne’s World,' 'Die Hard With a Vengeance,' Peter Bogdanovich’s 'They All Laughed,' Alexander Payne’s 'Election,' David O. Russell’s 'American Hustle' and 'Joy,' and many TV series as well.

Awards and Nominations:
Winner - Best Cinematography and Best Sound (Academy Awards, 1980)
Best Picture, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Best FIlm Editing nominations (Academy Awards, 1980)
Winner - FIPRESCI Prize and Palme d'Or (Cannes Film Festival, 1979)
Winner - Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Score (Golden Globe Awards, 1980)
Best Motion Picture - Drama nomination (Golden Globe Awards, 1980)
Winner - Best Direction and Best Supporting Actor (BAFTA Awards, 1980)
Best Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Film, Best Production Design, and Best Soundtrack nominations (BAFTA Awards, 1980)
Named to National Film Registry (2000)