Social Psychology Phenomenon in Apocalypse Now
Social Psychology Phenomenon in Apocalypse Now
“Apocalypse Now" directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, takes the themes and basic story line of Joseph Conrad’s 1898 novel "Heart of Darkness" but changes the setting of the text, providing a Vietnam War interpretation of the classic story. Coppola's film portrays the confusion and insanity of the war through the eyes of Captain Benjamin Willard. Captain Willard is sent on a mission up the fictional Nung River into the remote Cambodian jungle to assassinate and “solve the issue” of a renegade and presumed insane Special Forces Colonel Walter Kurtz, who has organized his own private army from a local Montagnard tribe. The river in the film serves as an allegory for Willard and the boat crew moving steadily beyond civilization to the heart of darkness within them.
While watching this movie with an observant eye, there are numerous examples of social psychology phenomenon that can be noted in the film. It’s interesting to note that while some might consider this an action movie, the war is simply the impetus for a keenly constructed movie that delves deeply into the psyche of the movie’s characters.
The entire military institution requires an ability to obtain obedience from its service members. This is present in acceptance of the military doctrine, where there is strong pressure to do what you’re told, and to fit in and conform by military leadership and peers. This is apparent in the film when two military officers come to Willard’s hotel to pick him up for a meeting with high-ranking military intelligence. Although Willard had been on a bender for days in the hotel and was filthy and covered in his own blood, the officers recognized that this behavior was not in keeping with military decorum; therefore they dragged him to the shower and cleaned him up for his meeting. Once Willard arrived, he was the picture of the perfect military officer: clean and composed and showing respect to his superiors by
“Apocalypse Now" directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola, takes the themes and basic story line of Joseph Conrad’s 1898 novel "Heart of Darkness" but changes the setting of the text, providing a Vietnam War interpretation of the classic story. Coppola's film portrays the confusion and insanity of the war through the eyes of Captain Benjamin Willard. Captain Willard is sent on a mission up the fictional Nung River into the remote Cambodian jungle to assassinate and “solve the issue” of a renegade and presumed insane Special Forces Colonel Walter Kurtz, who has organized his own private army from a local Montagnard tribe. The river in the film serves as an allegory for Willard and the boat crew moving steadily beyond civilization to the heart of darkness within them.
While watching this movie with an observant eye, there are numerous examples of social psychology phenomenon that can be noted in the film. It’s interesting to note that while some might consider this an action movie, the war is simply the impetus for a keenly constructed movie that delves deeply into the psyche of the movie’s characters.
The entire military institution requires an ability to obtain obedience from its service members. This is present in acceptance of the military doctrine, where there is strong pressure to do what you’re told, and to fit in and conform by military leadership and peers. This is apparent in the film when two military officers come to Willard’s hotel to pick him up for a meeting with high-ranking military intelligence. Although Willard had been on a bender for days in the hotel and was filthy and covered in his own blood, the officers recognized that this behavior was not in keeping with military decorum; therefore they dragged him to the shower and cleaned him up for his meeting. Once Willard arrived, he was the picture of the perfect military officer: clean and composed and showing respect to his superiors by