What are the various changes in cast and staff that produced "Apocalypse Now"?

Coppola family ties changed film music

``Apocalypse Now'' was filmed in the Philippines with the cooperation of President Marcos, who was under dictatorship. A battle with guerrillas is actually taking place 16 kilometers away from the filming location. Although he received cooperation from the Philippine military, the scene in which a helicopter appears (one of the most impressive in the film) was influenced by the local combat situation.

In addition, Francis' entire family has moved to the Philippines to live together. Among them was Sofia Coppola, who was 4 years old at the time. Martin Sheen also brought his children (Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen) to the set. Just like the "family" depicted in " The Godfather ," this episode shows that family ties were valued on set as well.

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Speaking of the music for ``Apocalypse Now,'' Wagner 's `` Ride of the Valkyries '' and The Doors' `` The End '' are memorable. However, this movie also has a score. The person in charge was Carmine Coppola, Frances' father. He won the Academy Award for Best Original Score for `` The Godfather Part II '' (1974), and has continued to compose music for works directed by Francis, including `` The Outsider '' (1983) and ``A Friend in the Wind '' (1987). . Family ties are also an important factor here. At the same time, this film features a symphonic score composed by Carmine arranged for a synthesizer.

The visual of the patrol boat carrying Willard and his friends sailing along the river seems to have been influenced by Werner Herzoch's ` `Aguirre '' (1972). Popol Vu, who was in charge of the music for this film, was one of the musicians who developed electronic music at the time in Germany. The reason why the score for Apocalypse Now was arranged in an electronic style was not only influenced by the Popol Vu approach, but also because Francis had asked Isao Tomita to compose the music. do. In other words, Francis had envisioned an electronic score from the beginning.

Unfortunately, due to contractual issues, Isao Tomita was unable to participate, and Francis then asked David Shire to compose the score. The two, who worked together in `` Conversation... Eavesdropping... '' (1974), were related at the time. David Shire married actress Talia Shire in 1970. Talia, also known for her role as Adrian in Rocky (1976), is Frances' younger sister. However, the two divorced during the production of Apocalypse Now. Francis, the older brother who cares for his younger sister, fires David. The circumstances in which his father, Carmine, came to be in charge of the music were influenced by actual family drama.

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The "unused soundtrack" album composed by David Shire was released in the US in 2017 (now out of print). When listening to this soundtrack album, you can hear the score's electronic approach, which confirms that Francis had asked Isao Tomita to compose the music. Apocalypse Now Now, which was completed through numerous substitutions, has been released in various edited versions since then, but the basic story and direction have not changed. However, the "what if" of "what if" - "what if a certain substitution had never happened?" - makes us dream of "another Apocalypse Now Now" that is different from the current situation.

【source】

"Notes Coppola and My Apocalypse” by Eleanor Coppola (Herald Publishing)

『Heart of Darkness Coppola's Apocalypse”Blu-ray

Theater pamphlet:"Apocalypse Now", "Apocalypse Now Special Complete Edition", "Heart of Darkness - Coppola's Apocalypse"

Text: Takeo Matsuzaki

Film critic Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Film and New Media, majoring in film. After working on TV and movie sets, he turned to writing specialized in movies. Currently appearing on TV, radio, and online distribution programs such as ``Plus'' and ``Japan Group.'' He has contributed numerous articles to ``Kinema Junpo'', ``ELLE'', movie theater pamphlets, etc. Currently, he is a member of the Kinema Junpo Best Ten selection committee, a judge for the ELLE Cinema Awards, the Tanabe Benkei Film Festival, and the Creators Factory section of the Kyoto International Film Festival. Co-authored “Modern Movie Terminology Dictionary” (Kinema Junposha) and others.

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(c)2019 ZOETROPE CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.