You absolutely made a mistake.

When I first watched Apocalypse Now, I watched the Redux. I didn’t really enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong, I love long, epic movies and I don’t mind long scenes that add little to the story. For instance, I’m someone who honestly loves the wedding segment in The Deer Hunter.

But Apocalypse Now: Redux felt like a slog. The additional scenes fucked up the pacing for sure, as I was getting really into it up until the plantation scene. It was almost like they stopped the flow of the movie to focus on it. I never watched the Final Cut, but I’ve heard it described as “a mix between the theatrical and the Redux” and really, you just don’t need any of the plantation scenes.

I think the original Apocalypse Now is perfect. It’s already a long movie to begin with, there doesn’t need to be anything added. It’s also a truly incredible masterpiece in it’s original form and the pacing is fine as it is. If you watch the OG cut, I honestly believe you’ll develop that train of thought immediately.

Finally, I’ve come around on the Redux. The theatrical helps you appreciate it more. I get it and enjoy it now. That being said, if I watch Apocalypse Now, 9 times out of 10, it’s going to be the original theatrical version.