Most people, when asked to choose one movie to watch forever, tend to pick comforting, feel-good classics. For this writer, it would be Back to the Future — a fun, adventurous ride with humor and heart. But Gerard Butler, rugged action star, chooses something very different: Francis Ford Coppola’s dark masterpiece Apocalypse Now.
Gerard Butler’s Unexpected Pick
While promoting Angel Has Fallen, Gerard Butler was asked what film he’d watch for the rest of his life. His answer: Apocalypse Now. “I don’t really know why,” Butler admitted. “It’s just one of those movies that I can watch again.” He explained, “I’m weird with movies. Even if I love a movie, years later I generally won’t watch it again because I feel I’ve already seen it. That doesn’t happen with Apocalypse Now. I could put that on at any point and get lost in it.”
Why Apocalypse Now?
For an action star like Butler, a war movie might seem a natural choice — but Apocalypse Now is no typical war film. Released in 1979 and inspired by Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, the film explores the horrors of the Vietnam War through Captain Benjamin L. Willard’s (Martin Sheen) mission to find Colonel Walter Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has gone rogue deep in Cambodia.
This isn’t a simple good-versus-evil story. The film’s nihilistic tone and morally complex characters delve into the darkness of war and the human psyche, making it a haunting, unforgettable experience rather than a straightforward action flick.
A Film Worth Watching Again, Despite Its Darkness
Unlike patriotic war movies like Saving Private Ryan or The Dirty Dozen, Apocalypse Now presents a grim, unsettling look at conflict’s toll. It’s not a feel-good movie, but it’s compelling enough to reward multiple viewings.
Renowned critic Roger Ebert praised the film’s profound themes, noting, “What is found at the end of the journey is not Kurtz so much as what Kurtz found: that all of our days and ways are a fragile structure perched uneasily atop the hungry jaws of nature.”
The film’s cast is a powerhouse: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall (famous for his iconic line, “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”), Dennis Hopper, Laurence Fishburne, and even Harrison Ford in a small but memorable role.
Cinematic Excellence
Apocalypse Now is also acclaimed for its cinematic craft. It won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound, reflecting its technical mastery. Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro’s visuals are both breathtaking and nightmarish, while sound designer Walter Murch’s use of helicopter roars and ambient noise deepens the film’s sense of existential dread.
Why Butler Keeps Coming Back
The film’s intense mood and complex themes might deter many from repeated viewings, but Butler’s choice highlights Apocalypse Now’s lasting impact and ability to engage viewers deeply over time. It’s a film that challenges and captivates, standing apart as a war movie — and a movie — like no other.
