Image Credit: Stefania DAlessandro/Getty Images; Inset: EverettWe love the smell of Blu-ray in the morning!
And today, Francis Ford CoppolasApocalypse Nowwill finally be available in the super high-def format.
FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA:Its actually both.
But its a misunderstanding that there are lots of versions.
They were expecting a more conventional war film.
Of course, my feeling was I made a film about a very unconventional war.
But there was a lot of pressure to shorten the film.
To make it something they were more comfortable with.
So with the extended version… ?
I just put back the old version we had originally, before everyone panicked.
What about the 289-minute bootlegged version thats supposedly floating around?
That came from a guy who was involved inHeart of Darkness, the documentary my wife made aboutApocalypse Now.
Or do you just relive the horror?
I think the beginning of the film is really beautiful, and I always get sucked in.
I believe that film is a medium more like poetry than linear narrative.
And the opening ofApocalypseis very poetic.
Youve been interviewed a lot aboutApocalypse Now.
Youve done voice-over commentaries for previous DVD releases.
Is there anything new to talk about on the voice-over for this new Blu-ray edition?
Well, this doesnt feature a brand-new voice commentary.
So we opted to keep the original commentary, because it was good.
But theres a lot of great new stuff.
One thing is that you dont have to change the disc in the middle of the film.
The other difference, of course, is the beautiful Blu-ray technology.
I mean, on the right equipment at home, its as good as film.
Do you see other filmmakers borrowing bits and pieces of your film for their own?
But this is the way its been with art forever.
I did it, too.
I was greatly inspired by Arthur PennsBonnie and Clyde.
Theres no question that withoutBonnie and Clyde,The Godfatherwouldnt have been made the way it was.
In that way, you go on forever.
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