Over the past few months, Lionsgate has released a series of fantastic films on Steelbooks, sold exclusively at Best Buy, including 3 From Hell. The latest to be released is the brilliant film Apocalypse Now: Final Cut in 4K Ultra. Directed by legendary Acadamy Award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now features a compelling story, fantastic acting, and an unflinching look at the horrors of the Vietnam war. It stands out as one of the finest films ever made.
The film, originally released in 1979, follows a U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam who is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.
Martin Sheen stars alongside Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall in the film that, unlike many others, in no way glamorizes the war instead it uses its brutality and ugliness to explain how everyday men can turn into monsters.
Apocalypse Now opens with glimpses of choppers and the lush jungle which served as the backdrop of the Vietnam War. We see Martin Sheen drunk, and out of his head. We watch as he puts his hand through a mirror, I bring this up because there is no fake blood in the scene, he actually put his hand through the mirror while being exhausted and under the influence. It was just a stroke of luck that they happen to be filming.
There is no doubt that Captain Benjamin L. Willard is the finest performance of Sheen’s career. The character is hard and knows what must be done, but in some way, he still struggles with the task he’s been given and is driven to try to understand how Colonel Kurtz evolved from a decorated officer to a psychopath with a god complex.
The Steelbook itself is beautiful, featuring pieces of iconic scenes in red, yellow, and black. The inner metal case features Sheen’s character smoking a cigarette along with an image of the boat he takes down the river. Inside you will find two discs, both including an intro by Francis Ford Coppola. The film is crisp and rich, being enhanced with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. Get your copy now at Best Buy.
