The back of the DVD cover of Apocalypse Now, states that the movie is a stunning reveal of the heart of darkness in all of us, alluding to the Joseph Conrad novel, Heart of Darkness. The movie takes place during the Vietnam War, while the book takes place in the late 1800's during the era of the Belgian Congo. Both Marlow and Martin Sheen's character face the heavy and dreadful tasks of being on an oppressive mission. Both these characters find themselves estranged from their loved ones and find themselves getting weaker and weaker as time drags on.
Martin Sheen's character is shown in the beginning of the film as a soldier, quickly losing his mind in Saigon from the incredibly taxing nature of war, before being put up to the mission of finding Marlon Brando's character (whose name is Kurtz in the movie!). This is comparable to Marlow's internal quest to find the elusive Kurtz. Both Marlow and Lieutenant Willard hold a great amount of responsibility whether it be leading a steamship down a river or for the latter finding Kurtz who went rogue (accused of murder).
Apocalypse Now Kurtz was described as one of the most brilliant officers that the Special Forces had ever seen. He was glorified by many and this is extremely similar to the legend of Heart of Darkness Kurtz, being one of the most renowned chiefs of the various Stations in Africa. Both Kurtz's have been described as elevating themselves to the standard of a god and having amazing careers. Kurtz had many talents and "gifts" that he could list as Apocalypse Now was known as a brilliant warrior. In the movie, there are talks over how Kurtz has most likely gone insane. The conditions and incredible illnesses they were exposed to in Vietnam are comparable to the dreadful diseases many men succumbed to in Africa. There is a crucial difference however, in how Lieutenant Willard was ordered to kill Kurtz, and Marlow made it his mission to try to save Kurtz.
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