Apocalypse Now Redux, released in 2001 and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is a movie set in the midst of the Vietnam War. The movie clearly obtained its inspiration from the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. Various scenes and themes throughout the movie mirror those from the book. Of course, there are also many differences in the two works of art. These parallels and distinctions simultaneously enrich the film. One scene in particular is a prime example of how the movie, even though it was influenced by Heart of Darkness, is distinct.
In Heart of Darkness as well as Apocalypse Now Redux, there is an exciting, emotional, and chaotic scene. In the novella, the steamboat is sailing down the river when it is attacked by the natives on the shore. The natives are shooting small arrows at the people on the boat, and those on the boat begin to shoot wildly into the bushes with guns in an attempt to stop the assault. At first it seems like there are no casualties, but then Marlow looks down to see the helmsman is bleeding to death. A spear had been thrust into him by one of the natives.
The scene in Apocalypse Now Redux plays out nearly the same way. Floating down the river, all seems peaceful until little, wooden arrows begin to fly from all sides. The men on the boat scramble to their weapons and begin to fire at the Vietnamese. In comparison to the guns, the arrows seem pitiful and harmless. In fact, they are, and Willard realizes this. He tries to tell the other men that the arrows will not harm them and that the Vietnamese are just trying to frighten them. However, a spear then flies through the air, stabbing the man who had been steering the boat.
Now, these examples from the novella and the film seem nearly identical with just a few minute differences that pertain to setting; however, a large distinction makes itself known towards the end of the scene in the movie. After the man in the film is speared, Willard kneels down next to him. Surprisingly, the man takes Willard by the throat in an apparent attempt to murder him. This is the opposite of what happens in the novella. The helmsman in the novella looks at Marlow, his expression revealing a sense of kinship. He never tries to harm Marlow in any way.
The similarities as well as the differences in the novella and the film make both that much more interesting and unique. Francis Ford Coppola certainly knew what he was doing when he did this particular scene. The parallel to the novella shows the absurdity of the Vietnam War, while the harsh difference makes the film seem even more dark and gritty. Apocalypse Now Redux is Heart of Darkness, but to a more horrifying degree.
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