,VIDEO ESSAY
Unorthodox war movie - not absolutely about vietnam war
Story of captain willard travelling up river to terminate captain Kurtz
River is reflection of characters inner journey, indoctrination ofevil
3 main stops along river , represent steps of planting new evil
Love of war dehumanisation of enemy
Loss of morality dehumanise the innocent
Madness dehumanisation of the mind
Enemy, innocent, themselves
, Characters
Willard (Martin Sheen) - war addiction, lack of morals, degree of insanity
Kurtz (Marlon Brando) - also experiences all the planes of evil,
dehumanised all facets of humanity
Dehumanisation and Evil
Phase one - the love of war, longest segment of the film
Couldn't help themselves have to wreak havoc on a new area, meant to
met their escorts 30 miles up the stream
Kilgore (Robert Duvall) - kill and gore. Flamboyant commander,
consumed by the love of war, fondness of the fight, war i just a game to
him, follows no rules. Ignores crucial mission details from Willard,
, reluctant salute to Willard. Attentive salute to Lance shows where his
priorities lie, a new player on his team. Vigilant when it comes to Lances as
he can help give him leisure. Told many times about dangers of a location
but told its a good surf point. Throwing death cards on kills, perception of
war is nothing but a game, players against house like a casino. Kilgore and
his mean convince themselves they are protectors when in fact they are
predators. Instead of fearing battle they embrace it. Boys emulating a
fatherly figure, wearing the same colour scarf around their neck as him.
"Someday this wars gonna end" he doesnt want to imagine a world
without war. We leave knowing soldiers love war and hate the enemy.
Phase two loss of morality dehumanise the innocent
They know where they are when they see a depot filled with materialistic
goods. Soldiers admiring motorcylces.
"How fat" - self centered nature of the troups. Row of vietnemese
prisoners included children as the soldiers watch the show. Lateral
panning shot with chemical barells infront of children. Symbol of long
lasting affect american imperialism will have on the children of Vietnam.
Man hosting show - representation of general public, spokesman for the
us, addressing every section of the army. Seen as representative for
president as way he leaves show is similar to image.
Bunnies - icons. Soldiers obsess with them. Sign of someone saying hi
sandra. Group of people that soldiers aim to protect, inspiration figures
and role models. However...soldiers put them at risk, including other
soldiers. Show their lack of car for humans as they will do anything for
their own pleasure. They are now the only things that they care about.
Gradual dehumanization process.
Phase three madness dehumanisation of the mind
WIllard has experienced so much evil that he looses his sanity. SOldiers
pretend as though nothing is different however everything at river doesn't
make sense, soldiers pacnicking in river, jumpiing into try get on board,
madness is a key theme. Backdrop looks like a circus tent, multicoloured
fairy lights. Juxtaposition between whats going around them and what
Unorthodox war movie - not absolutely about vietnam war
Story of captain willard travelling up river to terminate captain Kurtz
River is reflection of characters inner journey, indoctrination ofevil
3 main stops along river , represent steps of planting new evil
Love of war dehumanisation of enemy
Loss of morality dehumanise the innocent
Madness dehumanisation of the mind
Enemy, innocent, themselves
, Characters
Willard (Martin Sheen) - war addiction, lack of morals, degree of insanity
Kurtz (Marlon Brando) - also experiences all the planes of evil,
dehumanised all facets of humanity
Dehumanisation and Evil
Phase one - the love of war, longest segment of the film
Couldn't help themselves have to wreak havoc on a new area, meant to
met their escorts 30 miles up the stream
Kilgore (Robert Duvall) - kill and gore. Flamboyant commander,
consumed by the love of war, fondness of the fight, war i just a game to
him, follows no rules. Ignores crucial mission details from Willard,
, reluctant salute to Willard. Attentive salute to Lance shows where his
priorities lie, a new player on his team. Vigilant when it comes to Lances as
he can help give him leisure. Told many times about dangers of a location
but told its a good surf point. Throwing death cards on kills, perception of
war is nothing but a game, players against house like a casino. Kilgore and
his mean convince themselves they are protectors when in fact they are
predators. Instead of fearing battle they embrace it. Boys emulating a
fatherly figure, wearing the same colour scarf around their neck as him.
"Someday this wars gonna end" he doesnt want to imagine a world
without war. We leave knowing soldiers love war and hate the enemy.
Phase two loss of morality dehumanise the innocent
They know where they are when they see a depot filled with materialistic
goods. Soldiers admiring motorcylces.
"How fat" - self centered nature of the troups. Row of vietnemese
prisoners included children as the soldiers watch the show. Lateral
panning shot with chemical barells infront of children. Symbol of long
lasting affect american imperialism will have on the children of Vietnam.
Man hosting show - representation of general public, spokesman for the
us, addressing every section of the army. Seen as representative for
president as way he leaves show is similar to image.
Bunnies - icons. Soldiers obsess with them. Sign of someone saying hi
sandra. Group of people that soldiers aim to protect, inspiration figures
and role models. However...soldiers put them at risk, including other
soldiers. Show their lack of car for humans as they will do anything for
their own pleasure. They are now the only things that they care about.
Gradual dehumanization process.
Phase three madness dehumanisation of the mind
WIllard has experienced so much evil that he looses his sanity. SOldiers
pretend as though nothing is different however everything at river doesn't
make sense, soldiers pacnicking in river, jumpiing into try get on board,
madness is a key theme. Backdrop looks like a circus tent, multicoloured
fairy lights. Juxtaposition between whats going around them and what
