The opening sequence of Francis Ford Copplas film Apocalypse Now reveals the destructive

and dehumanising nature of war as well as the trauma afforded by personal experienced. The
non-diegetic music of The Doors The End foreshadows the films preoccupation with the
tragedies of the Vietnam War as well as the psychological distraught impinged upon ones
memories. The mis-en-scene is composed of 3 superimposed frames to heighten a sense of
chaos and overwhelming confusion. Captain Willard is presented in a medium close up shot
in a skewed upside down manner to reinforce the distortion of reality experienced by him.
Moreover, in being the least mobile subject in the frame, the movement of his eye according
to the movement of the flame and helicopter indicates his constant awareness of the situation
he is in and the inevitable succumbing to the consequences of war. His inverted placement
accentuates the differences between the power possessed by him and the power of destruction
war is capable of, thus highlighting his powerless position. Moreover, Captain Willards
association of the ceiling fan with the sounds of helicopters indicate the debilitating impacts
of conflict on an individuals ability to comprehend reality as basic senses such as hearing is
intruded by traumatic experiences of war. Significant event such as the Vietnam War has
denigrating effects upon society

Nicole Lin