History Fridge / ApocalypseNow

!!FridgeLogic:
* Would one Colonel, no matter how charismatic and skilled, really be enough to disrupt the effort of a war machine as powerful as the American military? The Generals seem to think that Colonel Kurtz is a threat to their operations, but the only thing Kurtz' overt actions are going to reveal is that America has a presence in Laos and Cambodia when they are only supposed to be operating in Vietnam. At worst the Communists will just get a little angrier than they already are, but who gives a shit? They hate you and want you out of their territory already so it isn't like one Colonel is really going to make a difference. Besides what makes the whole affair even more pointless is that the Vietnam War didn't even end in our favor, the death of Colonel Kurtz was entirely irrelevant in the long run!
** The movie takes place in 1970, they really didn't know they would draw from the war five year later. They obviously didn't act on facts only viewers know. And saying that the only consequence would be communists getting a bit angrier is really shortsighted. Firstly, it would fuel propaganda in Communist countries (look at what the bad bad America is doing in a neutral country), which would be a blow to the US Cold War efforts. Secondly, it's not just their enemies who would get angry but their allies too (I know the US pretty much wipe their butt with the UN but still). And probably most importantly, the war was already losing support of the US public, this would really not help the army agenda.
* Whilst it's possible their job is only to drop off Willard. Surely special forces would have a better boat crew to escort the captain to his destination?

* The rogue officer describing how the Viet Cong were not evil despite committing [[MoralEventHorizon grossly evil acts]] can come across as odd. But then again, he was not exactly sane [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter or a good judge of character]], and we are not supposed to believe the Viet Cong are good.

* Near the end of the film, while Willard are looking on Kurtz's possessions, he notices the "Golden Bough" book. That one, which says, that you should kill the old priestly king, if you want to succeed him. Supposedly insane Kurtz was perfectly aware of what's happening, his place in this, and that he's gonna die. However, Willard refused to accept reign...

* The U.S Command sending Willard, a recently divorced and clearly traumatized veteran of the currently ongoing Vietnam War on a top-secret mission to kill a rogue U.S Special Forces Colonel. You would think they would choose another Special Forces guy who didn't have all these psychological issues to take the mission. However, the concept and true impact of post-traumatic stress disorder was only recently coming into the limelight at that point, and before that, most military forces around the world didn't care if you were traumatized by what you experienced; if your body was intact and you could fire a gun, you were good to go. The U.S. military would be no different towards Captain Willard. Even in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, PTSD was not recognized and most commanders refused to accept it as it would tamper with their worldview.

* While the plot of ''Apocalypse Now'' is essentially Conrad's ''Heart of Darkness'', most of the scenes are taken nearly verbatim from a real-life, first person account of the war, ''Dispatches'' by Michael Herr. The scene at the bridge is exactly as described, right down to the stoned-out M79 gunner killing the screaming VC with a single, instinctive shot in the dark. The movie was surreal because the war was surreal.

** The movie takes place in 1969, they really didn't know they would draw from the war six year later. They obviously didn't act on facts only viewers know. And saying that the only consequence would be communists getting a bit angrier is really shortsighted. Firstly, it would fuel propaganda in Communist countries (look at what the bad bad America is doing in a neutral country), which would be a blow to the US Cold War efforts. Secondly, it's not just their enemies who would get angry but their allies too (I know the US pretty much wipe their butt with the UN but still). And probably most importantly, the war was already losing support of the US public, this would really not help the army agenda.

** Also, in Redux, it's noted that a Capt. Colby is sent to make the initial attempt to stop Kurtz. Colby's background is the complete opposite of Willard's but on arrival Willard meets Colby and finds that the fine upstanding officer and his team have fallen in with Kurtz. It's possible that [[InsanityImmunity Willard's already unstable psychology made him safe from corruption]].

** Also, in Redux, it's noted that a Capt. Colby is sent to make the initial attempt to stop Kurtz. Colby's background is the complete opposite of Willard's but on arrival Willard meets Colby and finds that the fine upstanding officer and his team have fallen in with Kurtz. It's possible that Willard's already unstable psychology made him safe from corruption.

* Near the end of the film, while Willard are looking on Kurtz's posessions, he notices the "Golden Bough" book. That one, which says, that you should kill the old priestly king, if you want to succeed him. Supposedly insane Kurtz was perfectly aware of what's happaening, his place in this, and that he's gonna die. However, Willard refuse to accept reign...

* The U.S Command sending Willard, a recently divorced and clearly traumatized veteran of the currently ongoing Vietnam War on a top-secret mission to kill a rogue U.S Special Forces Colonel. You would think they would choose another Special Forces guy who didn't have all these psychological issues to take the mission. However, the concept anf true impact of post-traumatic stress disorder was only recently coming into the limelight at that point, and before that, most military forces around the world didn't care if you were traumatized by what you experienced--if your body was intact and you could fire a gun, you were good to go. The U.S. military would be no different towards Captain Willard. Even in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, PTSD was not recognized and most commanders refused to accept it as it would tamper with their worldview.