Apocalypse Now Final Cut - Collector's Edition [Blu-ray] [2019]

Apocalypse Now is certainly one of my favourite films of all time and I have purchased a number of versions of it on different formats over the years – as well as seeing the original film at the cinema when it was first released. I'm sure the film itself doesn't need another review from me so I will just add a few comments on the 4K version of the new “Final Cut” as there seems to be a bit of confusion about what is included in this 40th anniversary edition of the film. There are currently two versions of the Ultra HD 4K package available from Amazon – I have the three disc version which costs around twenty pounds, but there is also a six disc Collector's Edition costing considerably more. The three disc version offers the final cut of the film running to around 183 minutes with disc one being region-free 4K 2160p UHD, disc two offers the standard region B Blu-ray 1080p HD – both discs feature Dolby Atmos audio. Disc three has “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse” plus the other special features in standard Blu-ray and include an introduction to the Final Cut by director Francis Ford Coppola, a Tribeca Film Festival Q&A with Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Soderbergh, some Super 8mm Behind-The-Scenes Footage, Apocalypse Now: Remastering A Legend In Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, Apocalypse Now: A Forty Year Journey, plus Dutch Angle: Chas Gerretsen & Apocalypse Now. At 183 minutes this Final Cut is somewhat shorter than the previous Redux version (I guess by about twenty minutes) but about half an hour longer than the original cinema release. This 4K version certainly looks and sounds good – the best I've experienced since I saw it in the cinema all those years ago – but the actual re-editing will suit some fans of the film more than others. One of cinema's most powerful experiences this is a must-see film that probably won't be tinkered with again for at least another ten years. If you already have a 4K UHD TV system then buy this version – if you only have a standard Blu-ray player at the moment then still buy this version and watch the Blu-ray disc and save the 4K one to watch when you upgrade; if you are a real collector, and a big fan of this film, then maybe go for the six disc package that includes everything you could ever want!

It says in the product description that you get the original cut and the redux cut along with the final cut. I only got the final cut.

Here we go again. Francis Ford, who hasn't made a decent film since this one. Saying that anyone involved in Patton, The Godfather I & 2, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now in a 9 year period is welcome to his vineyard. There wasn't anything wrong with the Original Cut of AN. The film is generally regarded as the definitive account of the Vietnam War as well as one if the finest films, war or otherwise put on screen, but because of its legendary troubled shoot and having it's very own documentary (Hearts of Darkness) and with Francis unable to capture his former magic. This film all but burnt him out (who can blame him). So, some years ago he released AN Redux, which added some scenes which in all fairness bogged down the streamline of the original. So here we are again some years later with what Francis says is his final word on the subject, conveniently called Final Cut, but film fans know Ridley Scott and Oliver Stone saying pretty much the same things and recutting their former works several times over, so who knows.All said and done, Apocalypse Now deserves to be seen in every version, but I doubt any of them will surpass his Original Cut that created a masterpiece in the first place.

Yes, this Final Cut is the definitive version of Apocalypse Now, coming in at just over three hours it is an epic that really does take you on this journey up river to confront Kurtz. Historically, at the time of its release it needed to be of a suitable length for theatrical showing, but now there is no limit to its length with the DVD markets and appreciative audiences.If you’re never seen it before, go for The Final Cut, or if you want to re-experience it in all its glory. It is shorter than the Redux version, with the bunny-girls in the chopper cut, but it does retain the French plantation sequence which does lead onto the greatest scene in the history of cinema, the opium smoking scene.Most viewers may know the history of the film. With five Oscars and two Godfather films under his belt, Francis Coppola was unable to get funding for a Vietnam war film. I guess the money people were expecting another Green Berets with John Wayne. So he had to fund the film himself with his own cash and pledges from distributors, Coppola saw the project as an opportunity to make a film that would do more than stand the test of time, he set out to make a great piece of film-art, whatever the cost. He risked is life and his sanity with238 days of filming in the Philippines creating 1.5 million feel of film (which I guess comes out at about 55 hours) and ending up spending $31.5 million, and he succeeded beautifully, with a film that maybe in a generation will become acknowledged as the greatest piece of film-art ever. So Coppola owns Apocalypse Now rather than some faceless corporation, and good luck to him.He followed Apocalypse Now, with the great One from the Heart, and even more financial problems ensued.

Unless you have a 4K blu ray player this set should be avoided the macroblocking is atrocious on the redux and original versions the Final Cut has some macroblocking but not as bad as the first two which are unwatchable. I saw the 4K final cut at the cinema and it looked magnificent unfortunately he’s kept the French plantation scene in which is like stopping a F1 race half way through to walk a few laps I will put this on the shelf and previous release will be my go to version

The three 4k transfers are quite grainy. This is quite noticeable as soon as the film starts and also in the famous helicopter attack scenes when looking at the sky background Dolby Vision really enhances the colours and blacks but the grain at times can be a little frustrating Grain is non existent on the standard Blu ray versions but I have those already. No need to review the film as that’s been done many times before. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with the 4k versions.