Why Harvey Keitel was Fired from Apocalypse Now | Ep6 | Making Apocalypse Now
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
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In Episode 6, we look at the difficult process of finding an actor to play Captain Willard--beginning with Steve McQueen, Martin Sheen, and finally landing on Harvey Keitel. We also explore the reasons why Francis Ford Coppola decided to replace Harvey Keitel only weeks into the production as well as how the story changed when Martin Sheen ultimately signed on to play the lead role.
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
Affiliate Links:
(Coppola) Notes on the Making of Apocalypse Now by Eleanor Coppola: amzn.to/3K9B9XH
(Cowie) The Apocalypse Now Book by Peter Cowie: amzn.to/3Zh8rZp
(Travers) Coppola's Monster Film: The Making of Apocalypse Now by Steven Travers: amzn.to/3ZybjS1
(Commentary) Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut: amzn.to/3npMry6
(Playboy)The Playboy Interviews: The Directors: amzn.to/40Ez8IO
(Martin) New Waves in Cinema by Sean Martin: amzn.to/3FSCdge
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse: amzn.to/40CnoGB
(Phillips) Godfather: The Intimate Francis Ford Coppola By Gene D. Phillips: amzn.to/3lCPlzj
Sources:
Notes on the Making of Apocalypse Now by Eleanor Coppola
Coppola's Monster Film: The Making of Apocalypse Now by Steven Travers
The Apocalypse Now Book by Peter Cowie
Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut (Commentary, 8mm Footage, Outtakes)
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse
[New Yorker] The Legacy of Robert Evans, a Vexing Hollywood Legend by Naomi Fry - bit.ly/2XLjr4i
[Phillips] Godfather: The Intimate Francis Ford Coppola by Gene D. Phillips
[LookDef] Powaba - bit.ly/2CdBI2C
Neon Magazine - Wham bam thank you ’Nam
(Cinephilia & Beyond) Incredible collection of resources on Apocalypse Now: bit.ly/35Mvv7M
(Great 'Lost Photographs' of Apocalypse) - Dutch Angle: Chas Gerretsen & Apocalypse Now (2019 dir. Baris Azman): bit.ly/2x6WCOf
Music:
Epidemic Sound
I was travelling in the Philippines as a young man when they started making this movie. I managed to get a job as an extra during the battle scenes in the village and spent two months there. It is quite interesting seeing these videos about the making of the movie as I relate to what I actually witnessed. It was quite an experience that I will never forget. There is still three seconds in the movie of me, firing a 50 calibre from the side of the helicopter. Crazy days when I was a young 26-year-old. Now 73.
73 ? woah man you witnessed last 70 years of american history ? what was it like to witness 9/11 ?
I`m from New Zealand so I saw 911 only on the new feeds but having been a freelance photographer during the Vietnam and Cambodian wars before the Apocalypse movie job I knew that what was shown on the TV news broadcasts was a manipulation of the truth. Those wars were more about who controlled the 'Golden Triangle' drug trade than any other thing they tried convince the American public. From there, 911 was to get American support for the next area of war ... the Middle East.
@@emrecanarduc4378 Not him, but let's stay on topic.
God, do I love the Internet. Thank you for sharing!
Where was this at in the PI?
During filming, Sheen was going through a bad time in his personal life. Somehow it made him more authentic, soulful and tormented - which brilliantly mirrored the ugly chaos of Apocalypse Now.
He was actually drunk when he shot the hotel scene and cut his hand. His son actually was the perfect casting for Platoon too.
@Randall Mellott similar to Anthony Quinn, he's Irish and Spanish (Quinn's Mum was Mexican, while his Irish Dad was named Quinn). Sheen has dual citizenships, having homes here and in Ireland. Sheen's Dad was named Estevez. he is Irish on his Mum's side, choosing the Irish surname of Sheen, which came from TV's Bishop Fulton Sheen, an early broadcaster priest, who was Irish Catholic. it simplified things in the job market, as he found it difficult getting work, being Hispanic in the '50's & '60's.
@@tonym994 what? Mexican is not spanish... Martin Sheen's parents come form northwestern Spain (Galicia) which is in Europe... Anthony Quinn WAS Mexican as he was born in Mexico, which is in North America. Big Geographical and cultural difference between Spain and Mexico.
I said they have SIMILAR back grounds. not that Mexican is Spanish.
This is around the time he was diagnosed with inactive tiger blood. Sad.
The difference, to me, is that Martin Sheen had a clear, bright safe-looking face.
Harvey Keitel was always that lived-in look, a slightly dangerous bad boy.
This was Sheens movie, Bad Lieutenant was Keitels... both SPECTACULAR casting.
What a load of horse💩
Find the odd one: McQueen, Sheen, Keitel.
Answer: Keitel. Especially since McQueen was the first choice, you know that Coppola was going for the pretty guy. Imagine the choices for a movie today being DiCaprio, Pitt and Mark Ruffalo. Ruffalo is going to be the one who's fired three weeks in.
@@maxmeier532 McQueen is the odd one out because it's not an action star role, if you ask me.
Bad Luietenant was pretty good!
@@maxmeier532 Ruffalo???
Sheen had the perfect ‘narrative’ voice for the role..deep in tone and highly expressive..none of the others (except for possibly Nicholson) would have had the same voice effect for the part, which in many ways was all about ‘narration’..telling a story. Martin sheen was perfect for this
Nicholson would have been amazing.
@@roddyboethius1722 Jack's great, but no way could he play the sort of passive observer role Coppola was looking for, he's always playing Jack.
His brother Joe narrated the film, not Martin.
I'm so thankful we got Sheen for the role instead of anyone else, I cannot fathom Willard being played by anyone else, the way he spoke, his expressions, just seeing the sweat bead off his face in those debriefing scenes on the boat where he's illuminated only by a flashlight. It's intense. And he did such a good job, sacrificed his life for the role. Outstanding movie.
I cant imagine Apocalypse Now, without Sheen
I can't either.
I don't think it would've been as good. Sheen's scene drinking, going mad, bleeding from punching mirror.... Can't see any of the others making it so relatable and real.
@@OvelNick Keitel already had that type of moment while filming Bad Lieutenant, I reckon.
I was just thinking this.
Back to the future also recasted the main actor.
Keitel was very gracious about his replacement. Seeing a scene or two of him as Willard would be fascinating.
Former Vietnam Vet (70-71 Navy) that disliked the movie first viewing, but have since gone 180 and agree with so much portrayed... My time in Olongapo during ship refueling had ALL the drug taking and insanity in the script. The Horror, The Horror.
To me, the character of Willard, as portrayed by Sheen, appeared stunned, throughout the film, almost as a man in shock. Not suffering from PTSD, because his abused mind knows he's still in Hell.
Nice. A walking shell who knows the game is lies and without meaning. He can’t fix it; he can’t go home. Profound introspection sleepwalking and killing.
Or it’s just he’s wooden
Ya i agree. Was in awe and disrespected by Duvall (who was great) right from the very beginning. Stealing board more an act of kid (Mr Clean/Fishburne) and way he laughed right after, looked silly. Actually only time he laughed in movie. Ya I agree with never ending dumbfounding look. 👍
Shell shock, not PTSD.
@Tony, he's right though.
I once saw an interview with Robert Conrad. He was saying how he thought he would have been better as Captain Willard, than Martin Sheen.That's one of those things that we'll never really know about. Ultimatelly, I still think Martin Sheen did a really great job! Did anyone recognize one of the helicopter pilots, during the helicopter assault on the beach? One was R Lee Ermey, in a bit role. He wasn't listed in the credits, but if you pay close attetion, you can hear his voice in the radio communications between the pilots! Just thought I'd throw that in there!
interesting!
Robert Conrad wasn't a great actor, but come to think of it he could have been okay.
gunny was the helicopter pilot in the beach attack scene, mic'd out to small chopper
You can see him piloting the chopper during the beach assault...
OH-6 Pilot
Martin Sheen brought a complex character to the role , I’ve always thought that special ops guys must have a slightly unhinged side to them , whilst also being able to be ice cool under extreme pressure , Sheen did a great job . The voice overs of Willard’s thoughts were a compelling insight into the psyche of the war , the conscience of a nation spilled out . Wrestling with the morality and puzzling over his target played by brilliant Brando . A lot of great cameos by the boat crew and not forgetting cavalry hatted commander who strode into the shore like john Wayne ignoring explosions and a hail of ammo . To then exhalt “ I love the smell of napalm in the morning “ im a huge fan of the Huey helicopter and the incredible sound it makes , to see so many in full flight along to that music was a pure delight , the attention to detail and Coppola’s insatiable desire for realism makes me believe this film to be a cinematic triumph a true depiction of the Vietnam war and all that came with it .
I'm only half way through watching this and I have new found respect for Harvey Keitel. Thank you for this video. I was only 15 when AN came out in 1979 and of course, I didn't even know Keitel was initially attached to the project. I've always loved Keitel's acting. I've never seen him do a bad job. His portrayal of The Wolf in Pulp Fiction is stellar. So I've always liked his work. But to see him describe this as a learning experience, while acknowledging the hurt... just such a life lesson for anyone.
Martin Sheen brilliantly under played his role. He should have won an Oscar for his performance.
Yah. He took us along with him because he was the right level of incredulity and or boredom. The narration too.
i agree...having the ability to that in the face of Brando's huge ego proved sheen was film god in his own rite.
Nah. He was miscast. No offense to Sheen - it wasn't his fault, at all. But they went with whomever they could get, obviously.
G A You are entitled to your opinion. No matter how wrong it is.
@@clayz1 Oh, I see. I'm entitled to my opinion. What a novel concept! Thank you for that. BTW, please provide the objective facts that demonstrate I'm wrong and that you are right....
Sheen was perfect in my opinion: we see everything filtered through his character (as intended) & he underplayed it beautifully. That meant we connected with Willard: he's the 'normal' one, like us, seeing this insane world of the Vietnam war. He can't fully process the madness, gets sucked into it & we go with him!
That is an excellent insight. He was caught off guard by the mission itself and the crap that was going on around him. He played it cool but was deeply affected by the chaos and the whole idea of having to kill an American officer of such amazing achievements. Once he arrived I sensed he realized, yeah this was the right call but was still conflicted. Sheen was absolutely the right guy for the part, totally believable.
As always, for a film fan of 50+ years who has delved deeply into the world cinematic canon and off-canonical works for decades -- and having seen so many facile documentaries and amateurish "reviews" by people who have barely seen anything -- it's seriously satisfying to see the art and craft approached with this much depth and breadth. These videos are like memorable, fulfilling meals. Always a fan and always looking forward to new installments of whatever you are covering.
I really appreciate you sourcing the footage. It's not only important to the creators, it honors their contributions to the history of this film (and to your video).
Watched the whole film properly for the first time in 20 years, and had a much deeper appreciation for the mastery of this film. It's a true masterpiece.
I've watched the film many times over the years at different points in my life.
As a kid with other boys on VCR, as a soldier on deployment chosen by our NCO'S to be viewed, then I watched Redux when it came out, and then I read the novel it's based on "the heart of darkness " and watched it again.
Then I watched the movie "The Heart of Darkness " and Apocalypse Now Redux back to back basically.
In so far, it is a masterpiece as it speaks to you differently at different levels of understanding.
But the older I get, the less I like Coppolas hand in the film, if that makes any sense.
The story is extremely powerful, the pictures also, the acting to a degree, but I find some of the directing choices extremely pretentious.
Redux, with the French plantation scene and other extra scenes, is definitely the better movie.
*"Terminate with extreme prejudice"* the most cold blooded line in movie history.
Sheen had a more innocent-looking face than Keitel, so he was far more appropriate. After all, the keynote of this movie is loss of innocence.
I think Coppola's objections were on the spot 100% describing the attitude of a quiet inactive observing character more suitable for Martin.
Years later Sheen publically admitted everyone was doing coke, which led to his heart attack & Coppola's weight loss
Is that true? Source?
At times I feel just like Cpt Williard; stuck on a boat of fools and misfits.
Hopper & Fishburne were too busy doing heroin to bother with coke.
did not know.
I was 16 when the movie was released and yes, that fits! I believe it
I couldn't imagine anyone else other than Martin Sheen now.
True, but McQueen would have been a very interesting choice.
Exactly, it's like trying to picture someone besides DeNiro in Taxi Driver.
I think Jan Michael Vincent at that time could have pulled it off.
Yup. God intervened because he knew it was Martin Sheen. Sheen IS Willard.
@@BeholdPontiusPilate I think McQueen has some similar traits to Sheen. He often plays a cool customer under pressure.
Talking about the making of Apocalypse I often think about Werner Herzog making "Fitzcarraldo" as detailed in "Burden of Dreams". Movie making can be truly crazy stuff.
@Captain Brandon Cinema Lover Kinski..You should read his autobiography. Disturbing.
Both of Herzog and Coppola seemed to have gotten a bit off track after making those two films, as if it had drained something out of them creatively that they never quite got back again.
I don't know why, but the scene in Hot Shots: Part Deux always seemed so clever and such a great nod to their previous separate Vietnam movies and their shared Wall Street movie. Never fails to make me chuckle when I see it. 👍
I remember thinking at the time that it was easily one of the most subtle, clever and funny cameos I’d ever seen, and I probably wouldn’t see another one as good.
All these years later, and that remains the case.
@@thedudeabides3138I must put the Bruce Willis cameo in Loaded Weapon 1, up there with spectacular cameos.
"I loved you in Wall Street!"
absolutely great scene!
Loved you in Wall Street. 😂😂
Keitel took it like a champ.
Whys your cat so fat..?😆
@@keanowhitmore8009 Hearvy Catel
Sheen delivers the " I don't see any method at all, sir." line perfectly. Keitel would have been confrontational.
And the director would have yelled, "CUT!" and they'd keep doing it until he got it right. That's what directors do. I can see a lot of actors playing this role. But since we got Sheen, who is great, we really don't know who would have done better. Fun to ponder "what if" though. Lee Van Cleef, Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, James Coburn, Sam Elliot, Fred Williamson, Harrison Ford(who's already in it), Charles Bronson, Bill Duke, Warren Oates, Christopher Walken, Tom Selleck, Carl Weathers, Nick Nolte, and many more could have played this role easily, in my opinion.
@@mikemorgan5015 O, is that what directors do. I had no idea. Actors do everything the directors wants them to do, do they? Temperamental, egotistical, highly competitive actors do just what the director wants. Just like Dennis Hopper and Brando. Coppola shot tons of footage of those two and salvaged what he could and cobbled their scenes from it. Directors just have to yell 'CUT!' It's all so simple.
@@johndavies5052 Where did I say that's ALL directors do? I didn't. But when the actor doesn't do the scene as the director wishes or is completely off of what the director's vision is, does the director NOT say cut, or something different now in the digital world and do it over with a bit of instruction? Do directors NOT do that? Those directors have egos too.
@@mikemorgan5015 We're talking about Apocalypse Now. I can see I need to choose my words very carefully least you have another psychotic episode. Your off hand remark about the ease of controlling actors is naive. Keitel walked off Eyes Wide Shut exasperated with Kubrick's endless retakes. Val Kilmer and Brando (again) in The Island of Dr Moreau uncontrollable, head strong lunatics, butting heads with one another and the director.. Frankenheimer: "Cut. Do it again." Kilmer: "F**# You!" Kilmer goes to his trailer for the rest of the day. - Yup, so simple.
@@johndavies5052 just because YOU couldn't control them doesn't mean I couldn't.
Martin Sheen was definitely the right guy with the right inner demons for that role, and I think anyone can see that Keitel would be too dominating of a force to be an almost passive on-looker. On that note Robert Rodriguez has been quoted saying that the scenes in "From Dusk till Dawn", where the Gecco brothers (played by George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) holds Keitel and his family hostage, were incredibly dificult because Harvey has such a strong energy that it is hard to believe that he would ever be intimidated by Clooney and Tarantino. I do find it hard to believe however, that Keitel would have a harder time than others in the jungle. The guy is a marine. I just think that the jungle sucks no matter who you are and maybe he was more vocal about it than others. Remember that Martin Sheen had a heart attack/ heat stroke. The jungle is a motherfucker.
Harvey due to being a marine may have had more common sense about the dangers of such a place and pointed them out...
He would have known that keeping his feet in a swamp would have caused Trench foot etc...
The only story I remember about the movie is Sheen being a masive druggy who disappeared during filming for ages while high..
I guess you don't worry about ticks and malaria when your high all the time..
Mark Wilko what was he doing military morphine lmao
The jungle IS the antagonist of the movie if you ask me. And yeah, the jungle is trying to kill you as much as the enemy is....
I was also thinking that because Keitel was a Marine, he probably didn’t want to go back to the jungle now that he was making a comfortable living as a Hollywood actor. I remember my first trip into Iraq as a Marine in 2004 and how miserably hot it was.. I never quite forgot it and appreciate the rain and cold of the PNW
I'll take your word for that. 'cause I ain't goin' there.
I saw the documentary Heart of Darkness about making Apocalypse now. It's amazing to see the young Laurence Fishburne begin his career. He has done well with the opportunity. My hat's off to Coppola, he started many young kids and that grew to be major actors.
was it Laurence Fishburne or Samuel L. Jackson? 😁
The role of Capt. Willard is iconic and immortalized Martin Sheen. "Apocalypse Now" is one of the Top 10 pictures ever shot.
Agreed. The film is near supernatural in its accomplishments.. it’s soooo good
Mark Roberts
It isn't even in the top 200 movies.
Mark Roberts TOP 5
@@williamgill_esq.6487 Billy, the list does not include your favorite pornos.
I don’t care for it.
The Department of Defense says they would "never order the death of a member of the military." Of course they'd say that. They wouldn't even admit they were doing it in the movie.
loose ends?
Of course. Those missions don't exist, nor will they ever exist . . .
nope, they announce the target is a turncoat. Those sent to clean up the loose ends are told they are patriots taking out a traitor.
Sheen was spot on in the role. As much as I like Keitel as an actor, and despite his Marine credentials, he isn’t Willard.
Part of the problem is the average person doesn't understand the difference between Army Special Forces and Marines. Willard was a commando and an officer, not a grunt. Playing him as a jarhead would have ruined his characterization completely. Animal Mother wouldn't have survived that boat ride.
Of course he isn't because Keitel is the real deal.
Sheen was right for a "holllywood" version of a soldier and for the film's more unrealistic ideas about the war. Keitel was too real. But once they cast Brando and he turned up too overweight to do much of anything other than sit around, realism was out the window and Sheen was the better choice.
Impossible to imagine anyone else in that role. Martin Sheen never topped that performance.
No way! Haven’t you seen Sheen starring in the new SingleCare commercial??
Seems rather odd to get rid of Keitel as he's 'too intense' an actor, only then to offer the role to Jack Nicolson!
According to the video, nicholson was first considered for the role than keitel.
Five easy pieces is quite an understated Nicholson performance
Nicholson has a 'real motor' as well...
By this point they were grasping at straws. Hey, Martin Sheen worked out BRILLIANTLY!
I agree, it would have been the same problem, if not worse. Thank god he was able to get Sheen, perfect casting at last.
I think no actor has been so grossly underutilised as Keitel
Reservoir Dogs is a definite high point for him. Tarantino wrote perfect characters for him in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction and seems to "get" Keitel as an actor. I wish they'd done more films together.
You're so right. He absolutely kills it in everything he is in.
There's definitely some truth in your contention.
Oh, I don't know... I would say Trevor Spicane is even _more_ underutilized, to name just one.
The Duelists is possibly the most under-rated film ever!
Yea, i can't imagine Willard being played by anyone else. I don't know if Keitel would have been able to pull off the haunted thousand yard stare as well as Martin Sheen did.
Martin Sheen was perfect as Willard - his deep voice was great narration that kept the story going nicely.
Sheen had big innocent eyes.
@@davidthompson2189 imo, not deep, as much as nasally. And gravelly, from all the smokes. Perfect, really.
@Wise and Free Agreed, and that was the beauty of it: Sheen's Willard was an assassin -- or 'errand boy' -- but he still had an almost naive quality to him giving him a great reaction to the madness of war around him. Brilliant performance in a genius movie.
@Wise and Free Hmm, yes that's why I said Willard had "an almost naive quality" in that Willard WAS a covert assassin who'd committed assassinations during the war...that's why the military/CIA sent him to kill Kurtz in the first place.
But as you say Willard's eyes show his observer status in the movie as well as his reaction of shock and amazement at the war's circus-like insanity and of course hypocrisy...killing a rogue general for murder during an active guerilla war which killed hundreds of thousands if not millions of people...especially Vietnamese.
And yes, the errand boy line I put in quotes too as it was a line from Kurtz. I think more as an insult to those "clerks" -- mainly, those in the US military and Pentagon -- who sent Willard (and others before him) to "collect a bill" and stop him despite all the destruction wrought by the Americans and North Vietnamese during that conflict.
On a whim I decided to watch your Apocalypse Now series and I am very pleased that I did. I really enjoyed how thoroughly you went behind the scenes. It makes me appreciate the film so much more!
"Heart of Darkness" might be the most interesting documentary ever. I still have my VHS tape of it.
Don't usually comment on videos, but this video is brilliant. The guy clearly has researched this whole film and subject. The guy gives a great explanation without being loud or OTT like other youtubers do. Plus the title and thumbnail aren't low quality clickbait but actually deliver exactly what is in the video. I'm definitely going to be watching more of this guy. Because of this video I'm going to go back and rewatch apocalypse now. Keep up the good work!
I can see this. Keitel is the kind of actor that you can't look away from. He's the center of the scene every time. If Coppola wanted someone more subdued, yet with passion, Sheen fit into that nicely. Still, I wish we could have seen Harvey Keitel somewhere in this film. He's such a dominating force.
You could almost imagine him as Kurtz..
@@casinodelonge YES! That's right.
Funny, since I think Harvey Keitel nearly completely wrecks every movie he's in, making the movie unwatchable.
In all due fairness, it could be my tastes in movies are different than the majority's.
@@casinodelonge I think you're on to something there.
@@casinodelonge When I saw the UA-cam thumbnail, my first reaction was indeed: "Oh? Was Keitel the initial choice for Kurtz, then?" I didn't and don't see him as Willard at all.
the flow and editing on this is superb
Martin Sheen was the perfect casting choice to play 'Willard'
Because that's your reference. If one of the other considerations had played the role you'd be saying the same thing about them, despite the film feeling different.
@@RexOrwell You can only speak for yourself, not me..
Absolutely David, I watched the movie many time and again the other day! I think this was some of sheens best work!
Steve McQueen was the original choice before he was turned down by Coppola as he couldn’t afford have McQueen with his high salary demand. Jack Nicholson and Al Pacino were offered the role but each it turned down and Nick Nolte wanted the role and thought he had it when Harvey was fired before Coppola went with Sheen as Willard. Clint Eastwood was even offered the role early on but turned it down.
@@RexOrwell But look at how Coppola recasting after starting production allowed him to reframe his take on the character, and the whole production. It would have been a totally different movie
Well done. I grew up in the 1960s during the Vietnam War with the draft still looming over the heads of our generation. In high school I had a teacher who had just returned from the war, who taught our American history class and offered us extra credit for seeing Apocalypse Now in the theatre which I did and was blown away by what I saw. My Mom made me come inside to watch Richard Nixon sign the end of the draft in the USA. I didn’t realize until years later when I saw the film again what I had actually been spared...
It's a long time since the film was made, this amount of time has proven how right it was to cast Sheen. He played & got the feeling of the whole project. The film has to be one of the best films ever created that stands up to the test of time perfectly. I must of watched the film 5 times over the years, my opinion of it only gets better with each viewing.
Sheen later warned Rob Lowe never to work with Coppola, and when he did … he warned him not to give him his soul.
One of the greatest decisions in Cinema History. Martin Sheen "IS" Captain Benjamin Willard . Born to play that role.
Nothing at all against Harvey. Love Mr Wolf
Женя Марик
What?
Brian Jones lmfao, agreed fully!
I second that👍
Absolutely!
Martin Sheen is a top notch actor ... he is great in everything he does. McQueen was a prima donna awhole
"....I would have had them shoot so much they couldn't fire me."
Tell that to Eric Stoltz.
I never realized my deep emotional connection to captain Willard till now. He was my vehicle to experience the Copella Odyssey!
Watching Milius you realize how spot-on John Goodman was. The voice, the cadence, the hand gestures!
Were they separated at birth?
@@marknewton6984 no, it’s called an impression.
As a theater major at Hofstra University in the late 80's we were still chanting "Puwaba" three times before a show.
I recently rewatched the last 10 minutes of “Sling Blade” written, directed, starring Billy Bob Thornton.
I was struck by how similar this was to the climatic moments of Col. Kurtz’s death. Willard’s quiet determination, the captivating music that crescendos, the slaughtered bull. &etc.
Carl’s quiet, thoughtful determining expression, the captivating music, the lawn mower blade being sharpened, the sound of Doyle’s head being split.
I wondered if Thornton intentioned those similarities.
This exonerates Keitel. For decades it was rumored he was hard to work with. Untrue. Tyler uncovered the untold story. Riveting.
It doesn't necessarily exonerate him. It just explains that it wasn't a factor in this particular picture.
@@apseudonym Yes, exonerated from the rumors why he was fired.
This video doesn't touch on the big prevailing 'rumor' amongst Hollywood insiders that's persisted since the late-seventies the real reason why Mr. Keitel was let go immediately from production and, subsequently, why he had problems being hired for years. The same problem that would crop up again on Eyes Wide Shut and again why he was removed. It's the worst kept secret in Tinseltown. That being his situation shares a huge similarity in the public abonishment of Louis CK and if this happened today, Harvey would be cancelled. Behind the scenes, he was for awhile. In Hollywood jail anyway.
@@pablosonic892 He's weak. So fucking weak.
@@pablosonic892 If you are talking about that ridiculous internet nonsense that was going around in the early days of the net, that Eyes Wide Shut rumor, that has already been completely denied as false by everyone involved, and even the guy who started that rubbish on the internet even later admitted he'd been trolling. No such nonsense ever happened.
Great ask for support at the end of your video! Felt very nice and friendly of you. Hope you continue making content!
Sheen and Keitel have always reminded me a bit of each other. They have that zero to 100 ability in common which is great on screen. I really think the main thing Sheen had over Keitel was boyish looks and charm. Both could play the tortured soul who does his duty because that's what he signed up for, but Sheen would be much more likable simply because half the audience will want to be him, and the other half will want to sleep with him. Regardless of the reasons, Sheen was perfect
and he looks younger than 36, which he was at the time. there are continuity issues in the film. his hair is bangs one scene, and sort of brushed back in others. he and Keitel are both great. just saw Reservoir Dogs again, where he is told by 'the rat' Tim Roth ,"I'm a cop" I'm still not 100% sure he had the strength to take out the rat. some say Buscemi made off w/ the jewels, judging by voices and gunfire from outside. but I don't get tired of it, even though I don't understand the ending. anyone?...
and he looks younger than 36, which he was at the time. there are continuity issues in the film. his hair is bangs one scene, and sort of brushed back in others. he and Keitel are both great. just saw Reservoir Dogs again, where he is told by 'the rat' Tim Roth ,"I'm a cop" I'm still not 100% sure he had the strength to take out the rat. some say Buscemi made off w/ the jewels, judging by voices and gunfire from outside. but I don't get tired of it, even though I don't understand the ending. anyone?...
i can't hahahha... i can't believe coppola had the balls to recast willard like that... and he was SO RIGHT to make that switch. sheen has that thousand-yard stare deal going on and i can't see keitel achieving that same haunting look... although he was haunting as fuck in bad lieutenant, he just doesn't have the same creep factor of sheen's hollow green eyes
Oh yes!!! I am so happy you continue with this series (especially after the "Music-Incident") Thanks Tyler- you just made my evening! :-D
This was awesome!! For Apocalypse Now junkies like myself this went far deeper then anything released by Zoetrope! As for Sheen vs Keitel you need to do a split screen of the same scene to make the final evaluation. As stated by others I can’t see anyone else but sheen playing that role. As for Brando I wondered if that part could have seen filled by another actor. But Coppola gave all his power to Brando so he was stuck with him.
I like Brando but he was anticlimactic in AN.
It was a great call by Coppola but he was also fortunate in having some others turn him down. I was never a big Martin Sheen fan but nobody could have played Willard better. I have watched _Apocalypse Now_ many times, and probably will again.
I agreed w/ Siskel & Ebert, when they did a segment about how easy it seemed to come to Sheen, playing stone killers, like this, and 'Badlands'. and it does. he'd take a life, then have lunch. playing Starkweather as he was in life. he always had a rifle w/ him, but shot more people than game.
Mr.Keitel is one of the best exponents of the Method Acting School. Thanks for “The Painted Bird”!One sliver of
the pain and history of the many!Mac.
Perfect use of those Pulp Fiction and Hot Shots: Part Deux clips!
I'm glad Coppola made the decision to go with Martin Sheen. I was stationed in Hanza, Okinawa during that time and often watched the B52's take of with full loads of bombs. Viet Nam was a very different situation. there seemed to be a disconnect between the upper level military directing the war and the soldiers fighting the war. Whether true or not it makes me think of arm chair generals and Monday morning quarterbacks. The soldiers were different. I thought Sheen fit quite well.
i’ve been waiting for someone to make a program on this subject for so long
Martin Sheen, 'Marty', really brings the inner life of Captain Willard to the screen in his portrayal and narration, the wearisome inner voice and thoughts in his narration, the pain and anguish of a man tormented and "torn apart", and many of the elements of the novel Heart of Darkness come to life as told in this movie about the Vietnam war, and a man's personal war against himself.
The inner struggles that Willard is feeling mirrored what Sheen was going through personally in his life, so although it nearly cost him his life in the form of a stroke, at the young age of 36, he pulled through, and gave the performance of a lifetime. I'm glad he made it through, and went on to continue to give many more great performances.
When the film was initially released it came with a program. I have one those autographed by Martin Sheen. Definitely one of the coolest things I own.
Was there an intermission in the original theatrical release? I know they used to do that back in the day.
@@bluecollar825 probably but from what I understand this program was handed out before the show began.
@@hotstepper1649 oh my bad, I thought you were saying you seen the original theatrical release and got it then. Sorry friend.✌
Martin Sheen was exactly what this movie needed. I watch it often. Perfectly cast.
It's pretty hard to even imagine anyone other than Sheen in that part.
He made the tough but right choice going with Martin Sheen, the man's eyes in this film (the thousand yard stare) do tell the story & make you a passenger. His son Charlie was also perfect in Platoon. Spielberg had to make a hard choice just like this in Back to the future, and fire Eric Stolz as Marty Mcfly & went with Michael J. Fox,cost the film alot of money, but the result was epic.
@@dudejrryan yes he was perfect for the role he had the 1000 yard stare
casey sheehan says 'aye,aye,capn."
Well its hard to imagine anyone else in the role because you didn't see anyone else in that role. The other actors might've given a different type of performance but that doesn't mean they would've given bad performances.
@@dudejrryan McQueen wouldve been pretty amazing. Pacino wouldve been good, also
Well done on the Hot Shot Part Deux insertion, man!
Thank you Tyler that you continue making this series.
I really wish Steve McQueen would have done this movie. He never made a movie that a kid growing up in the 80's would have seen but this movie is timeless and will be as great in 20 years as it was the day it came out. I feel like I missed out on seeing Steve McQueen I know my father loved him. I owe it to myself to pull up and watch a few of his movies.
As much as I like Harvey, he's just TOO intense. Electricity constantly shoots off him. Whereas Sheen has this duplicity about him. He could be the nicest shoe salesman, and secretly hide an insane foot fetish. To the customer, they wouldn't suspect a thing - but to the audience, they'd sense his timing and focus while in action. Perfect for Willard - who had to play 'different roles' in his duty, but keep them all closely guarded and secret still. And as quiet as he was on the boat with all - he really wasn't. The audience knew HE knew his shit, and was like a powder keg just waiting to be ignited.
Yeh but Harvey can do both. He can be intense and observant.l ❤️ Marty in the role though. I think Harvey would've Equally great imo. Coppola is just a ruthless genius.
The very first time I saw this movie (Director's cut, 2019, 40th Anniversary, IMAX) I had the EXACT same thoughts.
Willard needed to be JUST passive enough, as he is; and there are moments where his frustrations get the better of him, but for the most part, his performance mirrors the mentality of the character from Heart Of Darkness. Keitel would not have brought the 'same' quality to the screen.
In the same vein, Shawshank Redemption. Tim Robbins was considered too boring by the studio, but the movie was made and is now a classic beyond comparison.
sometime when you don't want to be in shitty work.. getting fire is only way out...
@@campkira being the lead in AN is Shitty work?
James Caan was really the only other suggested actor that I thought would be good in the role.
I saw “My Movie”, Apocalypse Now for the first time in 1979. Since then.... 40 times! Again and again. I saw “The Heart of Darkness”, I read Joseph Conrad, and Michael Herr. ... and other stuff. Your channel is so welcome! Thank You. Currently I have no money, I’m sorry. I will keep in mind for better times.
That Hot Shots clip made me cry laughing lol "I loved you in Wall Street!" xD
Harvey's the best. A light of inspiration for me for years. Love to meet and greet this dude. Way to go Harv.
This is very well done. Interesting, at minute 8 there is mention of Martin's character doing almost nothing throughout the film, which happens to be exactly how Steve McQueen wanted to play the character. Sheen was the right man for the part....but there's no question that McQueen would have done a good job.
i think mcqeen may have overshadowed the part . sheen was much less of a star . with mcqeen it would have been another mcqueen movie. and he likes to steal scenes which is mentioned in this. yul brinner hated how he would upstage him in the magnificent 7 .
Very nice piece. I once had the chance to have dinner with George Hickenlooper around 1995, director of Hearts of Darkness, and I asked why they didn’t use any of the Keitel footage that was shot in HoD. He told an incredible story about why, including why Keitel was fired, that makes me laugh to this day...
I am very much enjoying your work CinemaTyler. 👍🏿
Terrific episode, Cinema Tyler. This (Keitel's departure) has for a long time been an inscrutable footnote in Apocalypse Now lore: Here, you've given us all the full SP. TY! (starting price, thank you)
Love Keitel but Sheen was Willard: the observer and narrator who carries the audience along with him and boat crew down the river til the horrific end.
Absolutely. Exactly how it would have been played out in real life. Martin Sheen plays it perfectly.
@jryker I believe that was sort of the point of Sheen being cast as Willard: A man on the verge of his own insanity who found insanity all around him. I love Keitel but I don't think he could have portrayed that in his face...too hardcore for that type of character. That's just my humble opinion though.
You do an amazing job researching and presenting these segments. Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing it with us. Looking forward to checking out more of your content.
Sheen said recently (2020) that Willard was his favorite role ever. Even though it almost cost him his life -
I read it's badlands.
@@kman1289 IDK the answer, I read the favorite role on some other site i can't remember. Yours could be so.
Surprised that Sheen didn't say Jed Bartlet was his favorite character of all time, unless he's only talking about film roles.
One of my top 10 favorite films still, to this day. I saw the premiere in SF, one of the neighbors in our apartment building worked on the sound, I was about 13 years old.
Absolutely love this series. Always rewatch every episode before I watch the new one.
Hey....Colts fan here from Houston Tx......yes...Houston....we had a great season....we beat ourselves against the Bills....i think.
@@digidrum2003 100% agree. Not taking the field goal at the end of the second quarter is when we lost the game
When I first saw Apocalypse now I was 23. My dad woke me up sleeping late and I was like "Sure let's go". The second the screen lit up and the music started playing, it was like that time I got a shot of morphine in the hospital. At the time, I thought Martin Sheen was too wimpy for the part, but I suspended my disbelief and loved the film. The end I saw had Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock rendition of The Star Spangled Banner as the encampent was destroyed by napalm. I'm so glad I didn't see the one that just ended with Brando saying "The horror".
Anyway, now I'm 64, and Martin Sheen's performance seems perfect for the role. That gravely voice over, the slack-faced delivery throughout, like "I'd rather be back at my hotel room drinking or whatever, but sure I'll 'terminate the colonel's command' because what else am I going to do?" He was 36, but he still has a boyish, unlined look to his face. I still don't believe the line from the Chief though: "But one look at you, and I know it's gonna be hot!" I mean really? Boyish 5'7" guy looks like that much trouble?
Even so, Keitel would have been too intense, it would have been a completely different movie. He wouldn't have been convincing as someone just doing a job, and he would have been mugging for the camera the whole time, trying to look serious.
Hands down one of the greatest high quality channels on UA-cam. Great job as usual Tyler.
Thanks!
Sheen had a heart attack during that hotel room scene where he's making all these martial arts moves etc.
No
@@marknewbold2583 yeah you're right it didn't happen while filming that's just what the publicity people said to pump the movie at that time.
Can't imagine the movie without Sheen. It's like it's solid in my head. Gregory Peck IS Capt. Ahab.
OH YE DAMN-ED WHALE!
@@slappy8941
Yeah man! He was pissed at Moby Dick.
..and Willem Defoe IS Jesus!
🙄
@Randall Mellott shows how far-off _your_ thinking is... Willard was a Green Beret... you ever see John Candy?
next...
@Randall Mellott i hear you... that's just hollywood, i guess... i was military dependent 18 years... never met a military many _anything_ like brando... (or nicholson in _a few good men)_ and i'm sure doctors n pilots etc etc say it's all wrong... ☮️💟🌍
Martin Sheen should have been nominated for the Best Actor Academy Award. But, Roy Scheider deserved to win for that year.
for all the trials in production - it's a masterpiece
Amazing how casting works out. Is it because we are biased while looking back at what could have been? I dunno, it's a mind**** for sure.
I like both actors, but I cant imagine Willard played by anyone except Martin Sheen.
I would've preferred Belusi
Back at in the days of Usenet I bought a 5 hour screener of Apocalypse Now. I was fascinated by the scenes shot without the background sound effects. Fantastic movie!
For me, Bad Lieutenant is one of the finest edgy performances ever.
As good as any Oscar winning performance
I think very few people would disagree that Keitel is a FANTASTIC actor, but it doesn’t seem odd at all to say that he is a very active presence in his roles, especially in comparison to Sheen’s mesmerizing performance of the character... of course, you can’t definitively call what could have been, but it makes total sense how it’s explained
Granted, the same could be said for Jack Nicholson, but he has enough on his reel being passive in scenes that it’s believable he could do it... but Sheen was remarkable in his stillness. Think of the scene when he finally snaps and grabs the guy by the throat at the military base. I can’t imagine any other actor being so still and still so powerful, borderline scary, in that silence and stillness.
@@dillonwalshpvd He DID play an Angelopoulos lead
because it it more real than most people want to believe. cops are a very strange breed. nothing against the police ,which i support, but they are not that much different than serial killers. they disguise their work as normal when it is anything but normal.
That scene from Hot Shots Part Deux has got to be one of the best scenes in cinema history.
Oh wow, my best buddy and I were just discussing Keitel's miscasting for Apocalypse Now 3 days ago. I'm so glad Marty Sheen got the role. I briefly met Sheen on The Departed film set here in Boston back then and gave him praise by stating that the AMPAS had snubbed his fantastic portrayal of Capt. Willard in Apocalypse Now.
So cool! Thanks for sharing!
was you part of the prod crew?
The "I loved you in Wall Street" scene is the cleverest, funniest cameo in a movie I've ever seen.
Great work Tyler. Look forward to part 2.
I’ve seen Apocalypse now more than a dozen times and before the pandemic I saw it at a movie theater on 100 foot screen and the best audio and it was like watching it for the first time! If you ever have a chance to see it on the big screen do it! 🤯
Richitg , da ist der nun wirklich am Besten!!
Francis made the right choice, Martin Sheen nailed the Willard role, he was perfect..
This series is incredible. Thanks for all your hard work and scholarship ❤
Great job Tyler keep doing the good work!
This is the most info I have ever seen on the Keitel recasting. Great video.