In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Apocalypse Now, we answer questions you have about the movie. If you’re curious about plot explanations, meanings, themes, lessons, motifs, symbols, or just confused by something, ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
Cast
- Martin Sheen – U.S. Army Captain Benjamin Willard
- Marlon Brando – Colonel Walter Kurtz
- Robert Duvall – Lieutenant Colonel William “Bill” Kilgore
- Frederic Forrest – Engineman 3rd Class Jay “Chef” Hicks
- Albert Hall – Chief Petty Officer George Phillips
- Sam Bottoms – Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Lance B. Johnson
- Laurence Fishburne – Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller
- Dennis Hopper – an American photojournalist
- G. D. Spradlin – Lieutenant General R. Corman
- Jerry Ziesmer – Jerry Moore
- Harrison Ford – Colonel G. Lucas
- Scott Glenn – Captain Richard M. Colby
Apocalypse Now | Questions and Answers
What happens to Lance’s mind?
Lance, one of the soldiers aboard the PBR who embarks on the mission with Willard, undergoes a striking transformation throughout Apocalypse Now. His transformation into what could be perceived as “crazy” is a significant aspect of the film’s exploration of the war’s impact on the human psyche and the theme of the duality of man.
In the beginning, Lance is depicted as a naive, innocent young man, completely out of place in the setting of war. He is initially introduced as a surfer from California, underscoring his disconnection from the grim realities of the Vietnam War. His innocence and initial obliviousness to the darker aspects of their mission highlight the theme of duality—the capacity for both innocence and brutality within man.
As the film progresses and the crew moves deeper into the jungle, Lance’s behavior starts to change dramatically. He begins to display erratic behavior, becomes detached from reality, and is seemingly drawn to the primal, chaotic elements of their surroundings. This shift can be understood as a psychological reaction to the brutal realities of war and the intense, often absurd situations he finds himself in.
His donning of face paint and adopting tribal accessories signify his gradual descent into a kind of madness. It’s as if he’s immersing himself in the primal, chaotic world around him as a means to cope with the horrors of war. This transformation also visually underscores the theme of duality, as Lance shifts from the role of an innocent surfer to a figure that seems to embrace savagery.
Why do the Montagnards let Willard leave?
At the end of Apocalypse Now, Willard kills Kurtz, takes Lance, and leaves the compound, while the Montagnards— the indigenous tribe loyal to Kurtz— watch without interference. The reason behind their non-intervention can be attributed to several factors tied to the film’s overarching themes.
The most significant reason relates to the symbolic power dynamic that Kurtz held over the Montagnards. Kurtz was perceived by them as a god-like figure, commanding absolute authority and reverence. His brutal and fearless persona had earned their respect, and they accepted him as their leader. Therefore, when Willard kills Kurtz, he symbolically takes on the power and authority of Kurtz.
Willard standing above the crowd, drenched in water and blood, creates an image of a warrior, a god-like figure, much like Kurtz was to them. In their eyes, Willard might be seen as a worthy successor to Kurtz, or at least a force powerful enough to have defeated him. As a result, they permit him to leave.
This is a crucial moment in Apocalypse Now, for it signifies a final shift in Willard’s journey. Throughout the film, Willard grapples with the violent and chaotic elements of war, constantly encountering the question of what it means to retain one’s humanity amidst such brutality. By the end, he’s faced with the choice to become a new Kurtz or to reject this path of darkness.
His decision to take Lance and leave indicates his refusal to succumb to the savagery that consumed Kurtz. It represents his ultimate choice not to become another Kurtz, even though he’s seen as such by the Montagnards. The tribe’s decision to let him go reinforces this narrative, culminating Willard’s exploration of the self.
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