October 19th will see the release of Apocalypse Now for the first time ever in High Definition. Apocalypse Now is widely recognized as one of the cinematic masterpieces of the late 20th century. An Academy Award® nominee for Best Picture in 1979 and ranked 28th on the AFI’s list of 100 Years…100 Movies, the movie features an all-star cast including Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Dennis Hopper and Frederic Forrest in memorable roles.

With new transfers supervised directly by Coppola, Apocalypse Now will premiere on Blu-ray in two deluxe editions: the 2-Film Set and the 3-disc Full Disclosure Edition.

The framing of Apocalypse Now has been the object of a long controversy.  The film was shot on Super Technovision (anamorphic 35mm), which has a projected aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (actually, 2.39:1). However, all of the DVD releases of the movie have been in a modified aspect ratio of 2.00:1. Back in 1999, two of the producers of the movie confirmed that it was cinematographer Vittorio Storaro’s decision that “for home video + broadcast, he would transfer the film with a slightly modified framing: 2.0:1.” Hence, this BD release of Apocalypse Now is the first release (after the LaserDisc) to sport the original theatrical aspect ratio.  It has also been confirmed that the Hearts of Darkness documentary will be in 1080p.

The complete list of special features (subject to change) follows.

Two-Film Set

• Apocalypse Now – The 1979 Cut and Apocalypse Now Redux
• “A Conversation with Martin Sheen” interview by Francis Ford Coppola
• “An Interview with John Milius” interview by Francis Ford Coppola
• Complete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
• Monkey Sampan “lost scene”
• Additional Scenes
• “Destruction of the Kurtz Compound” end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• “The Hollow Men,” video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot’s poem
• “The Birth of 5.1 Sound” featurette
• “Ghost Helicopter Flyover” sound effects demonstration
• “A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Music of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Synthesizer Soundtrack” article by music synthesizer inventor Bob Moog
• “Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Final Mix” featurette
• “Apocalypse Then and Now” featurette
• “The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “PBR Streetgang” featurette
• “The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now” featurette

Three-Disc Full Disclosure Edition

• Apocalypse Now – The 1979 Cut and Apocalypse Now Redux
• “Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse” including optional audio commentary with Eleanor and Francis Ford Coppola
• 48-page collectible printed booklet with special note from Francis Ford Coppola, never-before-seen archives from the set, behind the scenes photos and more
• John Milius Script Excerpt with Francis Ford Coppola Notes
• Storyboard Gallery
• Photo Gallery, including images from photographer Mary Ellen Mark
• Marketing Archive
• “A Conversation with Martin Sheen” interview by Francis Ford Coppola
• “An Interview with John Milius” interview by Francis Ford Coppola
• Complete Francis Ford Coppola interview with Roger Ebert at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival
• Monkey Sampan “lost scene”
• Additional Scenes
• “Destruction of the Kurtz Compound” end credits with audio commentary by Francis Ford Coppola
• “The Hollow Men,” video of Marlon Brando reading T.S. Eliot’s poem
• “The Birth of 5.1 Sound” featurette
• “Ghost Helicopter Flyover” sound effects demonstration
• “A Million Feet of Film: The Editing of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Music of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Synthesizer Soundtrack” article by music synthesizer inventor Bob Moog
• “Heard Any Good Movies Lately? The Sound Design of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “The Final Mix” featurette
• “Apocalypse Then and Now” featurette
• “The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now” featurette
• “PBR Streetgang” featurette
• “The Color Palette of Apocalypse Now” featurette

Box Art

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