[THEATRICAL CUT]

First off, this is easily the best 4K restoration I've ever seen and the team behind it did an incredible job. Would never have guessed that this was filmed over 40 years ago if I didn't know it already as the amount of detail is staggering. I assume the prints of it were preserved with extreme care and it shows in every frame. So much of the credit goes to Vittoro Storaro who pulls off utterly inhumane wonders with his use of lighting in this. Some of, if not the best cinematography I've ever laid my eyes on. 

As for the film itself, I found myself borderline hypnotized throughout. There is a real sense of dread and horror at all times, even during the more extravagant moments. As the film progresses, this feeling slowly takes center stage with scenes that will stay in my head for a long time. This sense of dread is directly connected to the supposed antagonist, Colonel Kurtz, who is set up in a way that gives him a godly presence long before he even appears on screen. And when he does, Marlon Brando’s performance absolutely owes up to that set up. This is only scratching the surface as this film has so much to say on war and people in general which I can’t wait to unwrap on repeat viewings. 

Apocalypse Now is easily one of the most staggering pieces of filmmaking I've ever seen and it s Schindler's List, Grave of the Fireflies and Come and See as my favorite war movies.