Puppy Boat Massacre: The Making of This Scene | Ep16 | Making Apocalypse Now

Summary

This video delves into the chilling 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene from 'Apocalypse Now', exploring its last-minute addition, the real event that inspired it, and the actors' involvement. It discusses the scene's significance to the story, its connection to the My Lai Massacre, and the improvisational nature of its filming. The video also touches on the characters' development through this sequence and the contrasting portrayal of war's impact on soldiers.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The script discusses the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene in 'Apocalypse Now', highlighting its significance and the real-life event that inspired it.
• 🐕 The scene was a last-minute addition to the film, suggested by editor Walter Murch, and was referred to as a 'My Lai Massacre' in the script.
• 🎭 The actors in the scene, including Sam Bottoms who played Lance, contributed ideas for their characters, possibly influencing the scene's development.
• 🇻🇳 The My Lai Massacre, a war crime where US soldiers killed around 500 unarmed South Vietnamese citizens, is directly related to the scene's narrative.
• 👥 The scene was improvised by the cast, with director Francis Ford Coppola setting up the scenario and allowing the actors to bring the scene to life.
• 🎥 The filming of the scene was the second-to-last sequence shot for the movie, and it was highly praised by the cinematographer Vittorio Storaro.
• 🐾 The puppy in the scene symbolizes innocence and is used to progress the character arcs of the patrol boat crew, especially Lance.
• 🔫 The character Clean, a 17-year-old, is depicted as the one who ultimately kills the civilians, showing the transformation of a young man into a killer due to war.
• 🌉 The Do Lung Bridge sequence that follows the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' marks a shift in tone and visuals for the movie and is the last army outpost before reaching Kurtz.
• 📡 The script also mentions a cut scene involving a floating bed for a dead baby, which was part of a local ritual and was destroyed by Chief in the movie.
• 🌐 The video script includes a promotional segment for Atlas VPN, offering a deal for streaming services and online privacy.

Q & A

What is the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene in 'Apocalypse Now'?

The 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene in 'Apocalypse Now' is a horrifying sequence where the crew of a patrol boat encounters a small sampan boat, leading to a tragic and unnecessary massacre of civilians, including a woman concerned for her puppy.

How was the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene added to the movie?

The scene was a last-minute addition suggested by editor Walter Murch to director Francis Ford Coppola, who was not present on set at the time. It was inspired by the My Lai Massacre and was intended to portray the fear and brutality of war.

What is the significance of the puppy in the scene?

The puppy symbolizes innocence amidst the horrors of war. When the woman runs towards the basket containing the puppy, it triggers a tragic series of events, leading to the massacre and highlighting the fear and misunderstanding that can lead to such atrocities.

How did the actors contribute to the development of the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene?

Sam Bottoms, who played Lance, suggests that the cast had a hand in the scene's creation, as they all wanted to experience something akin to the My Lai Massacre. Their input and improvisation during filming contributed to the scene's final form.

What was the real-life event that inspired the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene?

The scene was inspired by the My Lai Massacre, a war crime where US soldiers killed around five-hundred unarmed South Vietnamese citizens. The event was a result of the soldiers' increasing brutality towards civilians after suffering heavy losses to Viet Cong snipers and land mines.

How did the actors who played the sampan inhabitants contribute to the scene's authenticity?

The actors who played the sampan inhabitants were actual Vietnamese refugees who had fled their country just two days prior to filming. Their desperation and real-life experiences added a layer of authenticity to the scene.

What was the filming process like for the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene?

The scene was largely improvised, with director Francis Ford Coppola setting up the scenario and letting the actors' creativity flow. The first take was reportedly so powerful that it left the crew, including cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, stunned.

How does the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene differ from other war movie depictions of similar events?

Unlike other movies that might focus on the actions of sociopaths or the anger driving soldiers, 'Apocalypse Now' frames the scene to show how normal people can be turned into killers in the context of a needless war, emphasizing the tragic transformation of a young boy into a violent participant.

What is the role of the puppy in Lance's character development throughout the movie?

The puppy serves as a symbol of Lance's innocence. As he carries the puppy through the Do Lung bridge sequence, it signifies his naivety and the preservation of his youthful spirit amidst the chaos of war.

How does the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' scene reflect on the characters' arcs in the movie?

The scene significantly progresses the arcs of the patrol boat crew members. It shows the clash of objectives between Willard and Chief, the fear and desperation of Chef, the naivety and shock of Clean, and the carefree, almost tourist-like participation of Lance.

What was the significance of the scene being shot as the second-to-last scene of the movie?

Shooting the 'Puppy Boat Massacre' as the second-to-last scene likely added to the intensity and realism of the performance, as the actors had already developed a deep understanding of their characters and the overall narrative of the movie.