'Apocalyse Now' is a 1979 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, which was inspired by Joseph Conrad's novel; 'Heart of Darkness'. However, the setting of the story is changed where it is set in Vietnam during the 'Vietnam War' in the year 1968 onwards. The major character is an army, Captain Benjamin L. Willard. He is a hired assassin and sent up to Nung River to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz who is about to be arrested for murder and he is believed to be insane.
Adventure is one of the themes of the story. Willard's journey to Kurtz's place is considered as an adventurous journey. He faces troubles and challenges on his way in searching for Kurtz. One by one the crews that accompanied him died and towards the end only one stays alive. Moreover, he has to face the cruelty of Kurtz whereby he is tortured physically and mentally.
As in the novel, colonialism is also one of the themes of this story. However, colonialism in this motion picture is a bit different since the setting and the background of the story is changed. Colonialism is seen through war. The U.S. army use their power to conquer the weaker. It could be seen that war for them is not to fight the terrorists but they are killing the innocent villagers and school children such as what they have done in napalm attack.
The movie exposes to us about the challenges that Willard faces in order to terminate Kurtz. At the same time it reveals the cruelty of war. In the name of peace the big power takes an opportunity to oppress the weaker and innocent people.
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