Share

Francis Ford Coppola releases new edit of 'Apocalypse Now' that reflects the film he really wanted to make

Cape Town - Forty years after its original release, South African audiences will get the chance to experience Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, a never-before-seen and newly restored cut of Francis Ford Coppola’s spectacular cinematic masterpiece in a way which the director believes "looks better than it has ever looked and sounds better than it has ever sounded."

Coppola  said that he is "thrilled beyond measure to present the best version of the film to the world." It will release in all seven IMAX theatres in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, from 23 - 29 August 2019.

Restored from the original negative for the first time ever, Apocalypse Now: Final Cut is Coppola’s most complete version of his multi-awarded classic, a haunting journey into madness that fascinated generations of movie lovers and now feels even more monumentally alive than ever before. Ranked as one of the best films of all times, the film stars Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, Albert Hall, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, G.D. Spradlin, Dennis Hopper, Sam Bottoms and Frederic Forrest.

The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and won 2 Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, 2 BAFTAs for Best Direction and Best Best Supporting Actor and the Palme d’Or in Cannes.

Starring Academy Award winner Marlon Brando (1972, Best Actor, The Godfather), Academy Award winner Robert Duvall (1983, Best Actor, Tender Mercies), Golden Globe-winner Martin Sheen (2001, Best Actor – TV Series, The West Wing), Academy Award nominee Dennis Hopper (1986, Best Supporting Actor, Hoosiers), Academy Award nominee Laurence Fishburne (1993, Best Actor, What’s Love Got to Do with it), and Academy Award nominee Harrison Ford (1985, Best Actor, Witness).

It film follows Army Captain Willard (Sheen), a troubled man sent on a dangerous and mesmeriSing odyssey into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade American colonel named Kurtz (Brando), who has succumbed to the horrors of war and barricaded himself in a remote outpost.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

The best visual and sound technologies have been used to present Coppola’s true vision of the film: one that delivers deep, visceral visual and auditory impact. "The audience will be able to see, hear and feel this film how I always hoped it could be—from the first ‘bang’ to the final whimper," said Coppola.

This is the first time the original negative has ever been scanned and over 11 months and 2 700 hours were spent on cleaning and restoring the film’s 300 173 frames. The Apocalypse Now: Final Cut restoration has been brought to life through ultra-vivid picture quality with Dolby Vision, delivering spectacular colours never before seen on a screen, with highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are ten times darker.

WHERE TO WATCH IT IN SA: 

The film will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the following IMAX theatres, in South Africa on 23 August: Bay West, Cape Gate, Cradlestone Mall, Eastgate, Gateway, the Grove and Mall of Africa. 


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE