``The Cross of Iron'' A mysterious work born between madness and chaos. This epic war story from a master of violence is filled with the harsh and vivid reality of the shooting scene! ?

"Apocalypse Now" depicts the madness of war amid chaos

Incidentally, another film that depicts the same madness on the battlefield as "Guilts of the Apocalypse Now " (1979) directed by Francis Ford Coppola. In 2001, the 3 hour 20 minute epic " Apocalypse Now Now: The Complete Special Edition ," re-edited by Coppola, was released and became a hot topic, but the filming of this film was also riddled with troubles worthy of the name "Inferno."

The set built in the Philippines was blown away by a typhoon, the director and the actors constantly clashed, and the star Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack and was on the verge of death. A photo of Coppola holding a gun to his own head is often cited in relation to this film, but it seems that he was pushed to the limit to the point where he was able to fully express that mentality.

Because this work was born out of such extraordinary circumstances, the chaos of the film set is sealed within the film as an incredibly eerie atmosphere, and every time we open the seal of this masterpiece, we are captivated by the scent, and we find ourselves unconsciously swimming obediently upstream in the great river of the jungle. Is it life or death that awaits us at the end of the road? Or is it a world of madness that goes beyond either of these categories?

Peckinpah's "The Cross of Iron" and Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" were both produced at roughly the same time in the late 1970s. Given the current trends, it may never again be possible to tolerate such chaotic and incredibly risky filmmaking. Both films are harsh. They are mentally exhausting to the viewer. But they are visual experiences that are worth the physical and mental strain. If you haven't seen them yet, please take this opportunity to immerse yourself in them, and above all, think carefully about what you feel when watching these films.

reference)

"Sam Peckinpah" (Garna Simmons, translated by Endo Sumiko and Suzuki Reiko, Kawade Shobo Shinsha, 1998)

" Apocalypse Now: A Complete Record of Filming" (Eleanor Coppola, translated by Toru Okayama, Shogakukan Bunko, 2002 )

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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*Information as of September 2017 article publication.