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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

 

(mouse over title image after page fully loads to see Redux Title)

directed by Francis Ford Coppola
USA 1979

Apocalypse Now is one of the great films. Photography, score, acting and direction are without flaw. Coppola never scaled such heights subsequently. It seems the sheer effort to produce such a work extinguished much of his creative spark. Stravinsky frightened himself with the awesome force of his  Sacre Du Printemps, and changed directions after, never to match this achievement; Richard Strauss fled into Neo-romanticism after writing the disturbing Elektra and Salome, unable to equal their innovation and power. But these seminal works (Le Sacre, Salome, Elektra, Apocalypse Now) remain as peaks of Art. Like the great classics of literature, each viewing of this film reveals deeper levels of meaning. It's stupid to even apply an arbitrary rating to this work. It would be like writing, "Brothers Karamazov gets out of ." It cannot be rated.

Excerpt from Ramcharan's Review Found HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: August 15, 1979 & August 3, 2001

Reviews                                                                             More Reviews                                                                          DVD Reviews

Comparison:

Paramount (The Complete Dossier - Disc 1) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (The Complete Dossier - Disc 2) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. FPE (Fox Pathe Europa) - Region 2- PAL (redux) vs. Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC vs. LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray

Big thanks to Gregory Meshman, Enrique B Chamorro and Vincent BOUCHษ for the the DVD Screen Caps!

1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC LEFT

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - RIGHT

 

Box Covers

 

Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

FPE (Fox Path้ Europa)

Region 2 - PAL

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount
Region 1 - NTSC
LionsGate
Region FREE -
Blu-ray
Distribution Paramount
Region 1 - NTSC

FPE (Fox Path้ Europa)

Region 2 - PAL

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount
Region 1 - NTSC
LionsGate
Region FREE -
Blu-ray
Runtime 2:27:00 + 3:22:18 3:13:59 (4% PAL speedup) 2:27:00 3:22:18 2:27:17.703 + 3:16:09.924
Video

2.00:1 Original Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s
 

2.00:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.30 mb/s
PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

2.00:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 6.27 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.00:1 Aspect Ratio

16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.80 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

Disc Size: 40,870,665,246 bytes

79' Feature Size: 32,362,635,264 bytes

Redux Feature Size: 43,346,982,912 bytes

Average Bitrate: 17.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC 1080P

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes

Bitrate:

FPE

Bitrate:

Paramount (Original).

Bitrate:

Paramount (Redux)

 

Bitrate:

Paramount (79' Blu-ray)

 

Bitrate:

Paramount (Redux Blu-ray)

 

Audio   English and French DD5.1 English DD 5.1, DUB: French D 2.0

English DD 5.1

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4404 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4404 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 4404 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4404 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround

***

DTS-HD Master Audio English 4482 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4482 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
* DTS-HD Master Audio English 4482 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 4482 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround
* Dolby Digital Audio English 224 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 224 kbps / DN -4dB / Dolby Surround

Subtitles French, None English, none English, none English, English (SDH), French, Spanish, none
Features Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.00:1

Edition Details:
• Apocalypse Now - 1:20:36 (Disc 1). 11 chapters
• Apocalypse Now Redux - 1:39:15 (Disc 1) 21 chapters
• Extras on Disc 1:
• Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• Introduction to AN by Francis Ford Coppola (2:33)
• Introduction to ANR by Francis Ford Coppola (4:04)
• The Hollow Man (Marlon Brando reading the complete poem by T.S. Eliot) (16:55)
• Monkey Sampan (unusual
• 12 deleted scenes (26 minutes)
• The Birth of 5.1 Sound (5:47)
• Ghost Helicopter Flyover (3:50)
• Technical FAQ (6 questions and answers on text screens)
• 2 easter eggs

 

redux:

Edition Details:
• Apocalypse Now - 1:12:39 (Disc 2). 9 chapters
• Apocalypse Now Redux - 1:42:52 (Disc 2). 15 chapters
• Extras on Disc 2:
• Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of AN (17:54)
• The Music of AN (14:43)
• Heard Any Good Movies Lately?: The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now (15:19)
• The Final Mix (3:07)
• PBR Streetgang (4:10)
• Apocalypse Then and Now (3:40)
• The Color Palette of AN (4:05)
• 4 easter eggs


DVD Release Date: August 15, 2006
Digipack  

Release Information:
Studio: Studio: FPE (Fox Path้ Europa)

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.00:1

Edition Details:
• Bonus Material on Disc 2
• Theatrical Trailer (English) 2:25
• 1979 Cannes Press Conference (English) 3:23
• Claude Berri interview (French) 3:39
• 2001 Cannes Press Conference (mostly English) 45 min.
• Kurtz Compound (alt. ending) with or without commentary by Coppola (English) 5:48


DVD Release Date: 6 March 2002
Digipack

Chapters 36

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.00:1

Edition Details:
• Animated Menus
• 1979 Theatrical Trailer 3:50
• End credits play seperately 6:13
• Kurtz Compound (alt. ending) with or without commentary by Coppola 6:02
• Single Page Chapter Insert
• Excerpts from the original theatrical program - 13 stills
• VOB File Dates 09/25/99

DVD Release Date: 11/23/99
Plastic Keepcase

Chapters 20

Release Information:
Studio: Paramount

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.00:1

Edition Details:
• Animated Menus
• 2001 Thratrical Trailer 2:31
• End credits are part of the film
• Additional scenes, edits, cuts expands the film over 49 min.
• Single Page Chapter Insert - new scenes/chapters in yellow
• The alt. ending is NOT incorporated into Redux
• VOB File Dates 09/21/01

 

DVD Release Date: 11/20/01
Plastic Keepcase

Chapters 36

Release Information:
Studio: LionsGate

 

Disc Size: 40,870,665,246 bytes

79' Feature Size: 32,362,635,264 bytes

Redux Feature Size: 43,346,982,912 bytes

Average Bitrate: 17.99 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC 1080P

 

Edition Details:
• Apocalypse Now - The 1979 Cut and Apocalypse Now Redux are presented for the first time in Hi-Def!
• New 1080p transfers supervised by Francis Ford Coppola - first time ever in original theatrical aspect ratio (2.35:1) in home entertainment release!
• Exclusive to Full Disclosure edition: Hearts of Darkness, the feature-length making-of documentary with optional audio commentary from Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola
• Exclusive to Full Disclosure edition: 48-page printed collectible booklet with letter from Francis Ford Coppola, never-before-seen archives from the set, behind-the-scenes photos and more!
• Exclusive to Full Disclosure edition: 52-page John Milius script excerpt (onscreen) with handwritten notes from Francis Ford Coppola
• Exclusive to Full Disclosure edition: Storyboard Gallery
• Exclusive to Full Disclosure edition: Marketing Archives
• New "A Conversation with Martin Sheen" interview by Francis Ford Coppola
• New "An Interview with John Milius" by Francis Ford Coppola
• Never-before-included Complete 2001 Cannes Film Festival: Francis Ford Coppola interview by Roger Ebert
• Audio Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• Monkey Sampan "lost scene"
• Additional Scenes
• "Destruction of the Kurtz Compound" - with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• "Heart of Darkness" - 1938 Mercury Theatre audio recording with Orson Welles
• "The Hollow Men" - video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot's poem
• "The Birth of 5.1 Sound" featurette
• "Ghost Helicopter Flyover" sound effects demonstration
• "A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now" featurette
• "The Music of Apocalypse Now" featurette
• "The Synthesizer Soundtrack" article by Bob Moog
• "Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now" featurette
• "The Final Mix" featurette
• "Apocalypse Then and Now" featurette
• "PBR Streetgang" interviews with the boat crew actors
• "The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now" featurette

Blu-ray Release Date: October 18th, 2010
Custom case  

 

 

Comments

The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

NOTE: 4K UHD The Final Cut of Apocalypse Now - reviewed HERE

ADDITION: LionsGate Region FREE - Blu-ray - October 2010: This is for the 'Full Disclosure Edition'. Firstly - we are talking 3 Blu-ray discs but the two films (79' cut and Redux) share the first disc and are seamlessly branched (quality being exactly the same). Both are in 2.35:1 aspect ratio - for the first time for home theater. It looks to be a significant upgrade over the previous DVDs in just about every area. Colors and detail shine like never before for your home theater and it's a real pleasure to see the film in the theatrical 2.35 ratio. It may exhibit a shade of glossiness (DNR?) and there are still softer parts - but overall I am extremely impressed with this transfer - supervised by Coppola. The captures will bear out how much more information e can now see in the sides of the frame. It was a long time ago but I don't even think it looked this vibrant theatrically.

Just to get my initial concerns out of the way: Okay, there are no credits for either version because, as Peter tells us "70mm release prints had no head or tail credits. Only a Zoetrope copyright at the end. Programs were handed out..." - thanks Peter! - and this is probably the explanation for why is the Redux is about 6-minutes shorter than the DVD Redux? (must be the lack of credits).

The audio is up to part with the video - both versions offer a DTS-HD Master 5.1 at a massive 4000+ kbps. The music and effects REALLY benefit from the lossless upgrade. Separations are definitely crisper and there is more bass and depth. This audio is certainly a consideration fro 'demo' material. There are subtitle options and my Momitsu has verified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras are endless with the most notable inclusion being the Hearts of Darkness feature-length making-of documentary with optional audio commentary from Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola. Supplements are extensive with the Coppola interview by Ebert and so much more with the 48-page printed collectible booklet with letter from Francis Ford Coppola, never-before-seen archives from the set, behind-the-scenes photos... it just goes on and on. No fan could want more.

Despite my initial questions of the LionsGate Apocalypse Now Blu-ray package - I am now a convert and this seems the only way to see the film in your home theater. It looks and sounds incredible and the extras are unbelievably complete. We must surely give this a strong endorsement. I can find no discernable flaws - aside from the prevalence of some DNR - in the 'Full Disclosure Edition'. It's still an absolute must-own!

Gary Tooze

***

ADDITION: Complete Dossier - Oct 06': Both versions are divided into 2 parts over 2 discs. The versions are branched, so there's really no need to compare prints. For the same reason, the bitrate graphs are incorrect, so I'm not uploading them.

First 4 captures are from disc 1 and last 4 are from disc 2. 2 versions have different end credits, so I included captures for both (1st is Redux, 2nd is 1979 version).

There're a lot of extras on The Complete Dossier, but without Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse documentary, can it be actually be called complete? Paramount also decided to release third disc of extras to be sold exclusively at Circuit City with trailers to both versions, a very short featurette about expanded scenes from Redux and a bonus scene of destruction of Kurtz compound with optional commentary by the director. Not much, but that still makes The Complete Dossier only partially complete.

Gregory Meshman

***

ADDITION- FPE Region 2 (July-04) - colors seem very true in the Fox Pathe Europa and sharpness is on a par with the Region 1 counterpart, but contrast is superior in the US edition (see large capture #2). Menu options and extras are the same. It does offer a 5.1 French DUB. French extras are best -  It has the alt. ending from the US and extras not on the US edition.

Gary Tooze

 

The theatrical presentation was 2.35:1 and many have complained about Coppola using 2.00:1.
Now it becomes apparent that by using 2.00:1, he was able to re-center the scenes in the new edition at will. Notice in capture 1 both versions have the same framing, but 2 & 5 of the original version has more info on the left while 3 & 4 has more info on the right. The revised version seems to have the key element of the scene shifted to dead center of the framing.

Capture 6a demonstrates the quality of the alternate ending on the original DVD, while 6b displays the quality of the newly inserted scenes. Capture 7a & 7b demonstrates how the credits are displayed. The handling of the credits stem from trying to recreate the feel of watching the film in a theater, the 1979 movie played without a title and end credits, just as the 2001 begins without any title.

The new version has just as many supporters as opponents, perhaps it just reflects Francis at different points in his own life. If Apocalypse Now is a journey into a personal hell, we face different demons along the way as we grow older.

 - Enrique B Chamorro

Colors are a little richer on the Redux, but I think sharpness is a draw. I see a little more grain in the original and I have trouble determining where my  preference lies. I can't definitively say either are superior quality. Contrast looks very good on both. I think the Redux is slightly brighter (and the colors tend to enhance the image further). So lets go with the Redux in image. The Extras are too similar to give a strong opinion. The original has a French audio DUB where the Redux has 5.1 in the new scenes (that aren't in the original). I prefer the white subtitles in the original.

Gary Tooze

Though it may not seem too different initially between the older theatrical version and expanded REDUX, the color on REDUX is much better, with more ivory whites, very jet blacks and warmer greens among its many strengths.  The reason is simple.  The older prints have regular tri-pack color (Eastman, Deluxe, etc.), while Redux was one of a small handful of films issued theatrically from 1997 through 2001 that were released in Technicolor’s revival of three-strip dye-transfer printing.  The result is a full, more naturalistic experience that makes watching the film even more watchable over and over again.  All REDUX theatrical prints had this treatment, which is why there is less grain and more smoothness throughout the image.  They are a marvel to sit through.  Such Imbibition (IB) printing makes for the best prints and cheers to master cinematographer Vittorio Storaro for suggesting it as the film needed some restoration upgrading.  The DVD follows these color schemes extremely well.    This is one of the great cinematic achievements and the extra footage is welcome, adding nuances that many who criticized this cut missed.  Furthermore, the Dolby Digital 5.1 AC-3 mix on REDUX is one of the few ever issued that can compete with DTS, though the DVD should have absolutely had DTS tracks.  It is certainly superior to the older DVD and is a must-have for all home theater systems for its brilliant sound design and fidelity rarely found in Dolby Digital anywhere.

Nicholas Sheffo from FulvueDrive-In.com

 



DVD Menus

 

(Paramount (The Complete Dossier (Disc 1)) - Region 1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Paramount (The Complete Dossier (Disc 2)) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)


 



(FPE - Region 2- PAL LEFT vs. Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - MIDDLE vs. Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - RIGHT)
 

 

 

 

 

LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray

 


 

NOTE: 4K UHD The Final Cut of Apocalypse Now - reviewed HERE

 

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Screen Captures

 

1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Capture 1
 

 


1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

Capture 2

 


 

1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Capture 3

 

 


1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

Capture 4

 


 

1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

 

Capture 5

 

 


1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM

Captures 6A and 6B

 

1) Paramount The Complete Dossier Region 1- NTSC TOP

2) FPE - Region 2- PAL SECOND

3) Paramount (Original) - Region 1 - NTSC - THIRD

4) Paramount (Redux) - Region 1 - NTSC - FOURTH

5) LionsGate - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM


Credits


More Blu-ray Captures

 


 

Report Card:

 

Image:

Blu-ray

Sound:

Blu-ray

Extras:

Blu-ray

 

Box Covers

 

Distribution

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

FPE (Fox Path้ Europa)

Region 2 - PAL

Paramount

Region 1 - NTSC

Paramount
Region 1 - NTSC
LionsGate
Region FREE -
Blu-ray

 

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