Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure

"Saigon... Shit. I'm still only in Saigon."

On October 19, 2010, Paramount Pictures and Lionsgate Entertainment released the three disc blu-ray collection of Apocalypse Now.  We know how stunning the blu-ray image is and we are all excited that this is the first time the movie has been released in the original aspect ratio of 2.35:1. But what about the special features?  I don't know how many times I've "upgraded" my copy of a movie only to find that some of the extras are missing on the new release and am forced to keep my old copy laying around.  How does Apocalypse Now: Full Disclosure compare with the previous DVD releases?  Well, let's find out.

The first DVD release of the Theatrical Cut of Apocalypse Now was released by Paramount back in 1999.  It contained an anamorphic widescreen transfer of the film in 1.85:1.

Special Features

Theatrical Trailer

Excerpts from the Theatrical Program

Destruction of the Kurtz Compound
with commentary by Francis Ford Coppola

A few years later in 2001, Francis Ford Coppola released Apocalypse Now: Redux adding an additional 48 minutes of footage cut from the theatrical release.  This release contained an anamorphic widescreen print in 1.85:1.

Special Features

Apocalypse Now: Redux Trailer

 

The third release came in 2006 with Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier.  This two disc set contained both versions of the movie in an 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen print.

Special Features - Disc One
Audio Commentary with Francis Ford Coppola
The Hollow Men (16:55)
Monkey Sampan Scene (3:00)
Additional Scenes
     1. Saigon Streetlife
     2. Military Intelligence Escorts 
     3. Intelligence Briefing Extension 1
     4. Intelligence Briefing Extension 2
     5. Willard Meets the PBR Crew
     6.  Letter from Mrs. Kurtz
     7.  Booby Trap
     8.  Do Lung Bridge "... That Road is Open"
     9.  The Photojournalist
     10. Colby
     11. The Tiger Cages
     12.  Special Forces Knife
A/V Club
     Birth of 5.1 Sound (5:47)
     Ghost Helicopter Flyover (3:50)
     The Synthesizer Soundtrack by Bob Moog
     Technical FAQ

Special Features - Disc Two
The Post Production of Apocalypse Now
     A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now (17:54)
     The Music of Apocalypse Now (14:43)
     Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design (15:19)
     The Final Mix (3:07)
PBR Streetgang (4:10)
Apocalypse Then and Now (3:40)
The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now (4:05)

2007 saw the long awaited release of Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse on DVD.

Special Features
Audio Commentary with Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola

Which brings us to the latest release.  This three disc blu-ray collection features both the Theatrical and Redux cuts of the film and is presented in the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio.  How do the special features compare?  Is it missing anything?

The Full Disclosure contains all of the above special features (including Hearts of Darkness in HD) except for the Apocalypse Now: Redux Trailer and the Technical FAQ.  A 48 page booklet and a few new special features are also included.  Here is a complete listing of all the special features.

Special Features - Disc One

Audio Commentary with Francis Ford Coppola
(This is the same commentary from the Complete Dossier)

Special Features - Disc Two

Interview with John Milius (new)

A Conversation with Martin Sheen and Francis Ford Coppola (new)

Fred Roos: Casting Apocalypse Now (new)

Heart of Darkness Radio Show with Orson Welles (new)

The Hollow Men

Monkey Sampan Scene

Additional Scenes (all from the Complete Dossier are included)

Destruction of the Kurtz Compound
     with Commentary by Francis Ford Coppola

Birth of 5.1 Sound

Ghost Helicopter Flyover

The Synthesizer Soundtrack by Bob Moog

A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now
The Music of Apocalypse Now

Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design
The Final Mix
Apocalypse Then and Now
2001 Cannes Film Festival: Francis Ford Coppola (new)
PBR Streetgang
The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now

Special Features - Disc Three
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (HD)
    Audio Commentary with Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola
John Milius Script Excerpt with Notes by Francis Ford Coppola
Storyboard Collection
Photo Archive
     Unit Photography
     Mary Ellen Mark Photography
Marketing Archive
     1979 Theatrical Trailer
     1979 Radio Spots
     1979 Theatrical Program
     Lobby Cards & Press Kit Photos
     Poster Gallery

You're still here?  Apocalypse Now is a great movie.  That's all I have to say about that.