Comparing Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness and Francis Ford Coppolas

Parallels Between Conrads subject matter of Darkness and Coppolas Apocalypse Now Apocalypse Now is a very undimmed and sometimes disturbing film centered on the Vietnam War. Because it was based on Joseph Conrads novella Heart of Darkness, it is possible to draw some parallels between the two. Both after part be interpreted as metaphors for a journey through the inner self, and each has its own singular message to convey. Apocalypse Now very perspicuously depicts the fact that men have hearts of darkness, and it explores the evils of war. At the same time, however, it seemingly glorifies some aspects. The anti-war sequences were often brutal and portrayed destruction as a conclusion of the human condition. The film Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, can be interpreted both as pro-war and anti-war in its intent, although the latter is a to a greater extent valid interpretation. Apocalypse Now, graphic and disturbing, vividly depicts the true image of war. Co ppola and his cinematographer, Vittorio Storaro, presented a series of visually stunning images throughout the film that made it impossible for the watcher not to contemplate the Vietnam War, its purposes, and its shortcomings. These images also lead the audience to an anti-war sentiment. One of the first images that depicts the anti-war disposition was the series of visuals presented during the films opening sequence, as Captain Willard, the protagonist, is shown in his hotel room in Saigon. A song titled The End, by The Who, is played as images of helicopters flying overhead and exploding bombs flash across the screen. Willard is first shown lying on the bed and gross(a) at the ceiling fan, which frequently merges with the helicopter blades. Later he is shown, wea... ...ess, 1981. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness & The Secret Sharer. New York Penguin Books, 1978. Fortmeyer, Russell. Apocalypse cast filled with rage http//collegian.ksu.edu/issues/v099B/fa/n022/a-e-apocalypse- fortmeyer.html created 1994 (accessed 23 Jan. 2000). Heart of Darkness. Dir. Nicolas Roeg. Turner Network Television (TNT) Pictures, 1994. Heart of Darkness Theme/Symbol/Allusion/Foreshadow http//164.116.90.3/public/jarvinen/hod.html (accessed 21 Jan. 2000). Nash, Jay Robert, and Stanley Ralph Ross. Apocalypse Now The Motion Picture Guide. wampum Cinebooks, 1985. Urch, Martin. Apocalypse Now A film review by Martin Urch http//us.imdb.com/Reviews/30/3030 created 1994 (accessed 29 Jan. 2000). Virtanen, Panu S. Plot summary of Apocalypse Now http//www.geocities.com/Hollywood/9067/plot.html (accessed 16 Jan. 2000).