In terms of the DVD quality, the overall picture quality is outstanding. However, neither version of the film is presented in its original aspect ratio. For some reason, the film has never been released on home video or DVD as it was shown in theaters. The aspect ratio is 2.0 with slight cropping. The sound is crystal clear in 5.1 digital.
Despite the fact that Hearts of Darkness isn’t included, The Complete Dossier is full of extras. Best of all are Francis Ford Coppola’s commentaries on both films, which are entertaining, informative, and detailed. Several deleted scenes are included, along with Brando’s 17-minute reading of T.S Eliot’s poem, “Hollow Men,” multi-chapter post-production information, and features on the film's excellent sound design (for which the movie won an Oscar). "The Apocalypse Now A/V Club" is a multi-part feature that covers some technical aspects of the film, “Apocalypse Then and Now” is a short feature that covers the release of the original cut. “PBR Street gang” features some cast members during the 2001 release of Redux, who discuss the film's production. “The Color Palette” features Coppola and cinematographer Vittorio Storaro discussing their efforts to restore the original film and extra footage to Redux.
While some may consider bypassing Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier because of the exclusion of Hearts of Darkness and the 2.0 aspect ratio, this is still the best version of Apocalypse Now available. For cinemaphiles, the extras make this a worthwhile purchase. For those of you who don’t have Apocalypse Now in your DVD collections, what are you waiting for?
Article comments
1 - 2012 Apocalypse
I have a better spin on that