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Apocalypse now

post #1 of 60
6/27/02 at 11:03am
Thread Starter 
I want to buy apocalypse now on dvd there are 2 versions apocalypse now and redux. Which is better and can you tell me which has a better audio and video transfer

thanx
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post #2 of 60
6/27/02 at 11:32am
They both have excellent audio and video transfers. Redux is a substantially longer version of the film; some find the longer version superior to the original, while others think the extra material weakens the film.

The DVD of the theatrical cut has some interesting extras that had to be dropped to make room for the extra length of Redux.

A true fan of the film would probably want both versions. That's what I ended up with.

M.
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post #3 of 60
6/27/02 at 11:35am
Thread Starter 
Thank you I just might buy both.
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post #4 of 60
6/27/02 at 1:10pm
Redux features a transfer from Technicolor process prints, so the color is eye-candy.
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post #5 of 60
6/27/02 at 1:27pm
I agree that a fan of the movie would probably want both.
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post #6 of 60
6/27/02 at 2:37pm
I hated the extra material, but with DVD's its easy to skip, the better transfer may be the way to go.
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post #7 of 60
6/27/02 at 2:48pm
In many instances, there's no way to simply "skip" the offending scene - it's been recut with tiny bits and pieces added here and there.

I'm speaking as one who's long loved this movie, but who despises nearly every new Redux addition, particularly the new "Bunny Scene", the "French Plantation Scene", and all that crap about stealing kilgore's board and Willard's very out-of-character goofing around with the fellas scenes - don't mind the daytime views of/Time magazine reading by Kurtz as much as many, but I definitely understand why people dislike them.

My advice: if you can find the original version on DVD, buy it. Though there's good reason to believe that we might see it again someday, Coppola and Co. have described it as "permanently retired".

(And there's the deleted scene of the destruction of the Kurtz Compound with commentary by Coppola on the original version DVD - not on the Redux DVD).

As for the transfers, they're not the same, but they look practically identical to my eyes. Both are excellent, to be sure.
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post #8 of 60
6/27/02 at 7:09pm
I bought both and put them in a Gladiator-like case. I use the artwork from the original.
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post #9 of 60
6/27/02 at 7:25pm
I agree that the transfer looks better on Redux, but I like the original edit better. I am a big fan of this movie, so I own both. If you don't plan to buy both, I would say get the original.
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post #10 of 60
6/27/02 at 8:36pm
Quote:
A true fan of the film would probably want both versions. That's what I ended up with.

In a thread full of utterly valid comments, I simply picked the one that was easiest to copy and paste. Anyone commonly or uncommonly drawn to this film would want to be able to screen either version. Redux could not be ignored--nor, once screened, cannot it be forgotten. Amazing, this particular example of editorial decision-making. It's successful.
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post #11 of 60
6/27/02 at 8:37pm
I pretty much agree with everyone here. The original is the better version of the film, but Redux has a slightly better transfer. The only bonus feature on the Redux version is the trailer, while the original has footage of Kurtz's compound exploding along with a Coppola commentary (just for that scene).

I heard that one of the R2 DVDs of Redux has behind the scenes footage and a full-length commentary track. I'm not sure if that is accurate or not.

I would get both, but If you only want one get the original. This film definitely deserves special edition treatment.
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post #12 of 60
6/28/02 at 1:04am
The transfer looks better on Redux but that of the original is still very nice indeed.

I'm with Rich on this one. I don't like the new bits at all. Apocalypse Now Resux anyone?
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post #13 of 60
6/28/02 at 6:21am
If one likes the Redux cut, one will want to own it. If one prefers the original, then the Redux cut is, if nothing else, a presentation of several extended deleted scenes in context and a very interesting supplement to the original.

That being said, I would watch the original first, personally. If you like the original version, you will want to see Redux. If you don't like Redux, however, you could still possibly like the original without some of the gratuitous bits.

At some point (prepare for unfounded speculation to follow), I would not be surprised if we see a box set with both films and the "Hearts of Darkness" documentary. If Coppola does a commentary, I would actually rather hear it over the documentary with his wife and George Hickenlooper participating than over either cut of the film.

Regards,
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post #14 of 60
6/28/02 at 7:30am
To mirror comments on the transfer, Redux does look better. I love the original version of AN. The first time I saw it I was just...stunned, but Redux is gargantually sluggish, IMO. The flow was all but killed by the additions. How's aboot a theatrical reissue Apocalyse Now Redux Reversed?
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post #15 of 60
7/1/02 at 5:17am
Quote:
I heard that one of the R2 DVDs of Redux has behind the scenes footage and a full-length commentary track. I'm not sure if that is accurate or not.


The France 2-disc SE has a commentary listed, but it only seems to be six minutes long (perhaps this refers to the commentary to the deleted scene). They do get some press conferences and interview material though.
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post #16 of 60
7/1/02 at 9:51am
Quote:
The France 2-disc SE has a commentary listed, but it only seems to be six minutes long (perhaps this refers to the commentary to the deleted scene). They do get some press conferences and interview material though.
The commentary is only for the 'Destruction Of Kurtz Compound' scene, which was already on the original Apocalypse Now DVD (at least on the R2 version).

It doesn't have any other deleted scenes.
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post #17 of 60
7/1/02 at 9:56am
It's also on the original-version R1 disc.
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post #18 of 60
7/1/02 at 4:43pm
Buy the original cut before it gets too hard to find. Rent the Redux cut.

I'm with most people on this one: Redux was a nice "alternative" take on the original, but Coppola was right in cutting most (if not all) of those added scenes way back when. Also, IMHO, he was a much better director then too.

Dan
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post #19 of 60
7/2/02 at 5:15am
*sigh* - if only we could get a 2.35:1 version. I'm not buying it 'til then...
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post #20 of 60
7/2/02 at 6:12am
I would also like to have the Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse documentary to complete the Apocalypse and Redux experience. If you haven't seen it and you are a fan, track it down immediately!!
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post #21 of 60
7/2/02 at 3:09pm
Quote:
*sigh* - if only we could get a 2.35:1 version. I'm not buying it 'til then...

No, no, no, Theo, you want it in 2.1:1, its 70mm aspect ratio -- the film was planned from the outset to include 6-channel sound, and in 1979 that was only available with 70mm. Consider the 2.35:1 version an "open matte" version.

I'd like to have it in 2.1:1. Looked great in that AR when I saw it in 70mm at Cinesphere.
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post #22 of 60
7/3/02 at 12:33am
Okay then, I want the AR I saw it at in the cinema...which is 2.35:1.
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post #23 of 60
8/28/02 at 6:15pm
I saw a bunch of the original at Best Buy today. I was under the impression the original had been discontinued or was on the way out. Has the original already been discontinued, or is it expected to be soon? Just trying to gauge how quickly I need to jump on one of those copies...
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post #24 of 60
8/28/02 at 6:24pm
Redux has a significantly better transfer. It's very noticable on my set-up (61" ISF'd 4X3 TV). It has much better color and fewer artifacts. I've done comparisons with several scenes. My brother was watching me do it and agreed that Redux looked noticably better, as well.

If you don't like Redux, you might be able to program your DVD player or just hit the chapter skips on your remote (skipping the new scenes as identified in the sleeve of the DVD case inside) to watch the original version. With Redux, you really have BOTH versions with a superior transfer.
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post #25 of 60
8/28/02 at 6:27pm
I got Redux about 3 months ago and still haven't got around to watching it. I need to find about 3 and half hours sometime.
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post #26 of 60
8/28/02 at 7:45pm
I should point out that even if you just skip the scenes added to Redux you're not getting the original since there are plenty of other changes made -- alternate takes used, the length of certain shots shortened or lengthened, etc.

The original version has not been discontinued, Coppola said when the Redux version came out that it would be going OOP but it's been well over a year now and it's still in production. It's pretty cheap some places (only $15 from Coppola's online store) so you may just want to play it safe and get it anyway.
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post #27 of 60
8/28/02 at 10:56pm
Quote:
Just trying to gauge how quickly I need to jump on one of those copies...


Even though the original cut of the film is apparently not out of print and is fairly easy to find, I strongly recommend picking it up.

In my opinion, Redux is a completely different film, so you can't simply skip certain scenes and have the original. Coppola claims Redux is his "definitive" version of the film and wants the original to go into "permanent retirement."

I have a feeling that if Paramount would finally give us a special edition, Redux would be the only cut of the film available. I hope that the original version of the film will be available on future formats, but I highly doubt it.
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post #28 of 60
8/29/02 at 8:51pm
By some odd quirk of fate, I never saw the original cut (I know, I know). The first time I ever saw this film was the Redux cut at the Seattle Cinerama. I was floored. As I do not have the original to compare it with, I absolutely loved it. To this day it remains my best cinema-going experience.

However, I could IMMEDIATELY tell the playboy helicopter and dinner scene were 'inserted;' they interrupted the flow of the river journey/film. Still, Redux is better than almost anything in theatres for the past two years (several huge exceptions, of course).

I think we can expect a three disc collector's set, containing (hopefully 2.35:1) 'Now,' 'Redux,' and Hearts of Darkness.

Nathan
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post #29 of 60
8/29/02 at 9:11pm
I still see the original version for sale at Best Buy.

I waited to buy the Redux version and have never seen the original DVD so I can't comment on the transfer comparison but I wish I would of bought the original. I liked the added scenes the first time I watched them but on more viewings I like them less and less. Now I don't get very excited when I want to watch it b/c I know the scenes take away from the movie and it makes the film drag quite a bit IMO.
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post #30 of 60
8/29/02 at 9:34pm
I didn't mind the added scenes as such, but what I didn't like it how Capt. Willard comes off as having a different personality in the two versions. In the original, he is dark and brooding, in Redux, he is friendly and even jovial at times. But it was interesting in Redux to see how the surfboard ended up on the PBR, what happened with Clean, etc.

Either way, it's a cinematic masterpiece, and can't go wrong with either version.
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