Smell The Napalm: The Story Behind This Incredible Scene | Ep11 | Making Apocalypse Now

Summary

This script delves into the making of 'Apocalypse Now,' highlighting the iconic Valkyries Sequence. It details the intense helicopter stunts, dangerous explosions, and the famous 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning' line. The narrative explores the challenges faced by director Francis Ford Coppola, the significance of the surfing scene in the Vietnam War context, and the creative process behind the film's memorable moments, showcasing the blend of reality and surrealism in this cinematic classic.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The script discusses the making of the 'Valkyries Sequence' from 'Apocalypse Now', highlighting the film's iconic lines and complex production.
• 🌅 The famous line 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning' is attributed to the character Kilgore, played by Robert Duvall, and symbolizes a surreal appreciation for the chaos of war.
• 🎥 Director Francis Ford Coppola's commitment to authenticity led to actual helicopters being used for interior shots, despite the risks involved.
• 🚁 The production faced challenges such as coordinating live helicopter stunts and managing the safety of extras during the filming of dangerous scenes.
• 🌊 The script reveals the symbolic significance of surfing in the film, representing a clash of cultures between American surf culture and the Vietnam War context.
• 👶 A poignant moment where Kilgore helps a wounded child was initially cut from the film but later restored, adding depth to his character.
• 🔥 The creation of the napalm explosion scene involved a massive amount of gasoline and was a significant logistical and safety challenge.
• 🎞️ The use of colored smoke in the film was intentional, serving as a visual motif to signify surreal and psychedelic moments.
• 🎵 The Doors' song 'The End' bookends the film, reflecting the Californian culture that is juxtaposed with the Vietnam War setting.
• 📜 The script also delves into the backstory and inspirations, including John Milius' vision of the war as a clash of Californian culture with Asian communism.
• 🤝 The sponsorship by Mubi is acknowledged, promoting a curated streaming service for film enthusiasts, which ties into the cinematic theme of the script.

Q & A

What is the significance of the line 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning' in the context of the movie 'Apocalypse Now'?

This line, spoken by Colonel Kilgore, reflects his perverse fascination with the destructive power of napalm, symbolizing a certain type of military mindset that can be detached from the human cost of warfare. It has become one of the most quoted lines in cinema history, encapsulating the movie's commentary on the Vietnam War.

Why was the filming of the Valkyries Sequence particularly challenging according to the transcript?

The Valkyries Sequence was challenging due to the complexity of the helicopter stunts, the large and dangerous explosion sequences, and the need for precise timing and coordination between multiple elements such as helicopters, extras, and special effects.

What role did Francis Ford Coppola play during the filming of the interior air shots in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Coppola was in the helicopters directing all of the interior air shots himself, alongside cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, even during some of the most dangerous stunts and maneuvers.

How did the production deal with the difficulty of finding light-skinned extras to play American soldiers in the Philippines?

The production utilized local resources, including children from an American school in Manila, aspiring doctors who couldn't get into medical schools in the U.S., and even Coppola's own sons and other young actors like Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez.

What was the significance of the use of colored smoke in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Colored smoke was used as a leitmotif in the movie to signify when things become more surreal and psychedelic. It was an intentional visual strategy by cinematographer Vittorio Storaro to create a conflict between artificial and natural light, enhancing the film's visual style.

Why was the napalm drop scene so memorable in the movie?

The napalm drop scene was memorable due to its massive scale, the real explosion set off with thousands of gallons of fuel, and the iconic line 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning.' It also showcased the surreal nature of war depicted in the film.

What was the original motivation behind Kilgore's character ordering the napalm drop in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Kilgore's main motivation for ordering the napalm drop was to create conditions suitable for surfing, highlighting the absurdity and disconnection of certain military actions from the realities of war.

How did the production handle the challenge of getting a shot of a helicopter lifting and dropping a patrol boat into the water?

Since they couldn't obtain a large Chinook helicopter or a flying crane, the production made a lighter version of the boat specifically for the shot and used a Huey helicopter to lift it for the scene.

What was the impact of the napalm explosion on the surfing conditions in the movie?

The napalm explosion caused the wind to change direction, ruining the waves for surfing. This led to Kilgore's disappointment and the iconic scene of him throwing his megaphone in frustration.

Why was Robert Duvall's character, Kilgore, interested in the surfing scene in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Kilgore's interest in surfing was tied to the screenwriter John Milius' vision of the Vietnam War as a clash between Californian surf culture and Asian communist culture. Duvall himself went to Malibu to observe surfers to better understand the culture.

What was the significance of the scene where Kilgore helps a wounded child and his mother, and why was it cut from the original release?

The scene added depth to Kilgore's character, showing a compassionate side amidst the violence. It was cut from the original release possibly to maintain the focus on the spectacle of the napalm drop and to avoid making the movie too long or strange for audiences. It was later included in the Redux version.