Apocalypse Now- Brenna Munoz
Margot Norris wrote, “Apocalypse Now's many surrealistic scenes and moments
forcefully convey the war's incomprehensibility. But by themselves they do not produce
an insight or recognition of Vietnam's significance for the American public, or a calculus
for its damage to America's moral life”, in her review of Francis Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. I disagree with her statement. The scenes are able to stand on their own and do not require the entire film to become surrealistic. For example, the scene at the beginning of the movie where the man drafted for war is expressing his inner turmoil by the viscous body movements and disturbing images also contributes to the significance of the American public. This scene represents a common reaction of anxiety and fear that was experienced by numerous men as a result of having to fight in the war. More importantly, this scene suggests the war is at fault for the crumbling moral of many men that make up American society.
In addition to this, the death and destruction of human life that is observed throughout numerous scenes can be linked to the negative effect on families and friends back home, which is also connected to the destruction of many American morals and values. The destruction of loved ones and of innocent life in general is burdening on not only those doing the fighting, but also on the entire American society. The movie’s anti war theme is prominent throughout and is indirectly connected to both the effect of the war on the American Public and also the damages done to the overall moral of American society.