Apocalypse now

Mary Ellen Mark did some still photography for the movie. Her well-known image of Brando with the bug on his head was taken during the making of it. She took a great close up shot of Dennis Hopper too.
Regards,
Brett
 
An interesting aside to your question concerning the cameras in the film Apocalypse Now is the watch that Martin Sheen wore throughout the film. Watch collectors have identified the watch as a Seiko Automatic 6105. It was not military issued but sold at PXs in Vietnam.
 
Steve Bellayr said:
An interesting aside to your question concerning the cameras in the film Apocalypse Now is the watch that Martin Sheen wore throughout the film. Watch collectors have identified the watch as a Seiko Automatic 6105. It was not military issued but sold at PXs in Vietnam.
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I was wondering the same thing myself actually, but forgot to search for that. I have a Seiko 6309 form the 1970s that I wear frequently, the "black monster". An Army special forces Colonel, who was an old customer of mine, grabbed my wrist firmly and asked, "Where did you get that son?" He told me that they were originally only available at PX/BXs and wearing meant that you had been to, "some god-awful parts of the world"

Nice watch.
 
One of my favourite movies...the original version though. Dennis Hopper, photographs 1961-1967 (Hardcover), goes for US$ 44 new on amazon.com
 
Pastor Chris said:
I was wondering the same thing myself actually, but forgot to search for that. I have a Seiko 6309 form the 1970s that I wear frequently, the "black monster". An Army special forces Colonel, who was an old customer of mine, grabbed my wrist firmly and asked, "Where did you get that son?" He told me that they were originally only available at PX/BXs and wearing meant that you had been to, "some god-awful parts of the world"

Nice watch.
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Seiko Divers were available globally. The 6309 is one of my favourite and it was affordable for a working man or soldier. The newest model in the lineage that is still available today is the SKX007. The term 'black monster' amongst Seiko collectors actually refers to model SKX779
 
tom.w.bn said:
I've seen the original film quite a few times and the directors cut once. The 50 minutes more add nothing relevant to the movie I think. Sometimes it's not too bad to take the final editing away from the director.
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I agree completely. My favorite movie, by the way. Conrad was an amazing storyteller, especially considering he was not writing in his native language!
 
Pastor Chris said:
Capt. Willard: "Why did he want to kill you?"

Photojournalist: "Because I took his picture. He said if I take his picture again, he would kill me, and he meant it!"

How would Col. Kurtz have handled Bruce Gilden on the street?
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How about the poor guy in the processing lab. What would he have done to him? :eek:
 
Deep Fried said:
Seiko Divers were available globally. The 6309 is one of my favourite and it was affordable for a working man or soldier. The newest model in the lineage that is still available today is the SKX007. The term 'black monster' amongst Seiko collectors actually refers to model SKX779
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You have burst my bubble sir! My story is far better and I'm sticking with it. I wonder if the SF Colonel was actually the manager of a McDonalds or something! Still a great watch, upon that we will agree.
 
intheviewfinder said:
Nikon 'hockey pucks' - most of them were Nikon F's. If I remember correctly I thought I spotted an F2 with a Photomatic Finder and another with a waist level viewfinder.

--Rich
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Their nickname intrigued me so I checked it's origins. This might be starting a new thread, but do they live up to their reputation for durability? Dennis Hopper was really swinging them around in his scenes.

I wonder to what degree Hopper was given the latitude to create this character himself. It kind of reminds me of how Johnny Depp created the Captain Jack Sparrow character himself, makeup, costume, accent, mannerisms.

Was he allowed to choose his own kit? Five cameras like that seems a bit over the top to me, almost farcical. Is this unnamed character Dennis Hopper's own critical commentary on photojournalists, or a homage to the profession? Don't you know that "if" is the middle word in "life"? (man)
 
Hopper was an amazing character ... I read somewhere that he and Peter Fonda came to blows over the attentions of Karen Black during the shooting of Easy Rider!
 
Keith said:
Hopper was an amazing character ... I read somewhere that he and Peter Fonda came to blows over the attentions of Karen Black during the shooting of Easy Rider!
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Uh oh Keith, I feel another thread-shift coming on. . . Everybody hold on tight!
 
Pastor Chris said:
Uh oh Keith, I feel another thread-shift coming on. . . Everybody hold on tight!
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And Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider have so much in common ... right? :D


Speaking of Easy rider I remember when they decided to re-show it at a few cinemas around Brisbane some years ago I took my sons so they see what all the fuss was about. I sat there entranced and enjoyed every second ... they were far less impressed and told me so! :p
 
Pastor Chris said:
You have burst my bubble sir! My story is far better and I'm sticking with it. I wonder if the SF Colonel was actually the manager of a McDonalds or something! Still a great watch, upon that we will agree.
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Haha! Well, they were sold in PX stores, and were very popular with service members. If he had only shopped for watches at the PX, and hung out with soldiers I can see how he developed the idea. That series of Seiko divers have been very popular the world over. They have always been affordable, durable and great looking dive watches.

As to Hopper, I view the character as a slight to photojournalists in a way. In his fervent enthusiasm for the story he gets sucked into Kurtz's personality cult. The five Nikons are like a symbol of the excess. He becomes a caricature of a photographer as he becomes part of the story instead of recording the story. Willard is able to do what Hopper can't; he earns the Col's trust but doesn't get sucked into the cult and is able to kill him.
 
"As to Hopper, I view the character as a slight to photojournalists in a way. In his fervent enthusiasm for the story he gets sucked into Kurtz's personality cult. The five Nikons are like a symbol of the excess."

And what is his RFF username?
 
Keith said:
And Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider have so much in common ... right? :D


Speaking of Easy rider I remember when they decided to re-show it at a few cinemas around Brisbane some years ago I took my sons so they see what all the fuss was about. I sat there entranced and enjoyed every second ... they were far less impressed and told me so! :p
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Keith, I think Easy Rider is lame. Only saw it once but as I recall it didn't do it for me.

Can we talk about Full Metal Jacket or Platoon instead
"I want to see bush, and early morning dew"
 
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