Apocalypse Now

VOICE

(on tape)

Up 2 – 0 – give it to me quick – Mark flare – affirmative damn – Immediate receive – hearing automatic weapons fire man...

GUNFIRE is HEARD and a lower, slower VOICE in background.

SECOND VOICE

Blue Delta five This Big Rhine – three Need that ordinance immediately Goddamn give it to me immediate Christ – Big Rhino – Blue God – Delta damn – goddamn.

A heavy BURST of AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE – INSANE LAUGHTER – STATIC, and faintly, very faintly we HEAR HARD ROCK MUSIC – more STATIC – suddenly a low, clear VOICE peaceful and serene, almost tasting the words.

THIRD VOICE

This is Big Rhino six – Blue Delta.

MAJOR

That's Colonel Kurtz.

KURTZ (V.O.)

I want that napalm dropped in the trees – spread it among the branches. We'll give you a flare – an orange one – bright orange.

(static)

We'd also like some white phosporous, Blue Delta. White phosporous, give it to me.

STATIC interrupts – the Major turns the machine off.

WILLARD

I only met Kurtz once.

CIVILIAN

Would he remember you?

WILLARD

Maybe.

COLONEL

What was your impression of him?

Willard shrugs.

CIVILIAN

You didn't like him.

WILLARD

Anyone got a cigarette.

The Major offers him one; they wait as he lights up, thinks.

WILLARD

(continuing)

I thought he was a lame.

COLONEL

A lame?

WILLARD

This is years ago, before he joined Special Forces, I guess. We had an argument.

COLONEL

About what?

WILLARD

I don't know. He was a lame, that's all.

COLONEL

But why?

WILLARD

He couldn't get through a sentence without all these big words; about why we kill.

COLONEL

Well, he's killing now.

WILLARD

Maybe.

CIVILIAN

What does that mean?

WILLARD

Maybe it's not Kurtz. I don't believe he's capable of that. I just don't believe it.

COLONEL

It's got to be Kurtz.

CIVILIAN

The point is that Kurtz or somebody attacked a South Vietnamese Ranger Platoon three days ago. Last week a Recon helicopter was lost in the area – another took heavy damage – direct fire from their base camp.

WILLARD

Our Recon flight?

CIVILIAN

Ours.

WILLARD

Touchy.

CIVILIAN

You can see, of course, the implications, if any of this – even rumors leaked out.

WILLARD

You want me to clean it up – simple and quiet.

CIVILIAN

Exactly – you'll go up the Nung River in a Navy P.B.R. – appear at Nu Mung Ba as if by accident, re-establish your acquintance with Colonel Kurtz, find out what's happened – and why. Then terminate his command.

WILLARD

Terminate?

CIVILIAN

Terminate with extreme prejudice.

FULL VIEW – ON THE DELTA

A waterway leading out to the ocean – it is broken and divided into hundreds of channels, islands, water farms.

A Navy patrol boat (P.B.R.) is waiting by a dock area. This is small, light craft, very fast, and heavily armed. Its men stand at attention in a small and simple military ceremony. Willard approaches them in battle-dress: Tiger suit, full field pack, forty-five, helmet, M-16. The boat commander salutes Willard.

MEDIUM VIEW

We hear the introductions faintly, UNDER Willard's VOICE.

WILLARD (V.O.)

I met the P.B.R. crew; they were pretty much all kids, except for Phillips, the Chief – Gunner's Mate Third Class L. Johnson – Lance Johnson; Gunner's Mate Third Class J. Hicks – The Chef – Radio Operator Second Class T. Miller; they called him Mr. Clean.

WILLARD

Chief, try to keep out of where we're going – Why we're goin' and what's gonna be the big surprise.

CHIEF

All right with me, I used to drive a taxi.

WILLARD

Let's go.

The Chief nods.  They all break formation and jump aboard and otherwise go about their work.

The twin diesels kick up – and t he boat moves away from the dock. The Chef jumps aboard; Lance mans the forward twin fifty-caliber machine guns – they wave to the guards on the dock and move away into the complexity that leads to the ocean.

DISSOLVE TO:

FULL VIEW – STORMY SEA

The boat slams through the heavy sea ; hurtling off the top of a wave and crashing full into the trough of another.

MEDIUM SHOT – BOAT COCKPIT – WILLARD AND CHIEF

Willard holds on to whatever he can – he looks very pale. Water crashes over the bow and drenches everyone. The Chief mans the wheel and the ENGINES WHINE. Lance climbs back from his position. He looks at Willard, who just stares ahead into space, swallowing.

DISSOLVE TO:

LONG SHOT – BOAT – DUSK

The dusk is spectacular through the broken storm clouds – the sea is calm again.

DISSOLVE TO:

VIEW ON THE BOAT – PROCEEDING UP THE COAST

The Chief is at the helm – Willard approaches him.

CHIEF

The Delta closes off to us about ten  miles out of Hau Fat. We'll be able to pick up some supplies – bit I think there are only two points we can draw enough water to get into the Nung River. It's all Charlie's turf from there on out.

WILLARD

We're gonna have some help to get in the river. You know these waters, Chief?

CHIEF

'Bout six months ago I took a man up to Lo Mung Bridge. He was regular Army too. Shot himself in the head. I brought his body back down.

WILLARD

Shot himself. What for?

CHIEF

Beats me – the sun was too much for him, or the mud. Who knows?

Pause, looking at Willard.

CLOSE SHOT – ON WILLARD

Suddenly, his attention is diverted – there is a slow buffeting, as if the air around them is being sucked out and replaced quickly. The boat shakes slightly. There is a distant ROLLING NOISE like interrupted thunder. All the men have stopped whatever they're doing – stand up and look out toward the shore and the green jungle hills beyond. The buffeting and NOISE CONTINUES – they all stand silently – suddenly it stops.

WILLARD

Arch light.

CHEF

I hate that – Every time I hear that noise something terrible  happens.

CHIEF

Anybody see some smoke?

CLEAN

Too far inland.

LANCE

There they are.

He points up to the sky.

FULL SHOT – ON THE SKY

Way up – past any clouds and barely discernible, we SEE the black silhouettes of four B-52 bombers, their vapor trails streaming white against the dark blue sky.

CLEAN

Charlie don't ever hear 'em. Not till it's too late – don't have to hit you neither, concussion'll do it for a quarter mile or better. Burst your ears – suck the air outta your lungs.

FULL SHOT – BOAT – CREW

They are looking up. Willard sits down, unconcerned. He takes out the dossier given him by ComSec. He flips through the letters and other documents.

WILLARD (V.O.)

The dossier on A detachment had letters from Kurtz' wife and the wives and families of his men. All asking where to send future mail, understanding the necessary silence due to the nature of their work – None of the men had written home in half a year.

Occasionally, in the b.g., we FEEL the terrifying buffeting of the distant B-52 BOMBING.

CLOSE – ON WILLARD

Studying, examining a report.

MONTAGE – PICTURES OF KURTZ

Kurtz' face evolves through the various stages of his career as represented in the pictures in the dossier, as Willard reads:

WILLARD (V.O.)

Lieutenant Kurtz has shown a dedicated and well-disciplined spirit. He is a fine officer, combining military efficiency – with a broad background in the Humanities, the Arts and Sciences...

Another picture of Kurtz in Germany, standing next to the 161st Petroleum Supply Group sign.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

... He views his military career as the dedication of his talents to bringing our values and way of life to those darker, less fortunate areas in the world.

A SHOT of Kurtz at jump school.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

... I feel Captain Kurtz' request for Special Forces training is highly unusual in regard to his past humanitarian concerns, and his somewhat liberal politics, though I can see no reason to deny it.

A CLOSE SHOT of Kurtz with Green Beret on in the Vietnam jungle. His face is blank and vacant.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing)

... We feel Major Kurtz' need to bring a sense of Western culture to the backward peoples of these areas will be of use in accordance with our 'Vietnamization' programs...

MOVE IN TO Kurtz' empty eyes until the photograph is just a BLURRED MASS OF DOTS.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. HAU FAT – AN ADVANCE STAGING AREA

WILLARD (V.O.)

One day later we came to an advanced staging area along the coast. This was our last chance to pick up supplies before approaching the mouth of the Nung River.

The VIEW OF THE COASTLINE leading up along the long loading docks at Hau Fat, an advance staging area for operations "Brute Force" and "Mailed Fist."

Everywhere are tents – oil drums – sandbagged bunkers – helicopters – tanks – guns – men. Nobody builds advanced staging areas like the Americans.

As the P.B.R. approaches the docking area, Lance notices something.

LANCE

Hey.

They look as a Chris-craft speeds by pulling a fancy water-skier who waves as he slaloms by. The men just look at one another.

VIEW ON THE DOCK

The P.B.R. pulls in – the men scan the busy surroundings.

CHIEF

Lance – I want you to go with the Captain an' get three extra drums of fuel and maybe scrounge some more 50 caliber.

LANCE

Yeah – look at those uniforms.

FULL SHOT – PARADE GROUNDS – TROOPS

A platoon drills in the hot, lazy sun; they are clean and pale, in contrast to Lance and the others, just off the airplane.

CHIEF

Poor bastards, have a long year to go.

The troops turn and march TOWARD US with six weeks of Advanced Infantry Training to back them up.

FULL SHOT – DOCK – P.B.R. – CREW

They are tying up at the dock – a young SERGEANT is filling cut papers concerning them and talking with Willard.

SERGEANT

I don't know anything about these papers, sir.

WILLARD

They're in order – it's perfectly clean – just check with ComSec-Intel like I said.

SERGEANT

Well, you know I don't have the priority to do that, sir. It says here not to contact Com-Sec-Int. Who's your commanding  officer?

WILLARD

Right now – I am.

SERGEANT

Well who the hell verifies that?

WILLARD

I do.

He signs it quickly, leaving the Sergeant totally confused.

CHIEF

No shit – what's all the activity for around here?

SERGEANT

The show –

WILLARD

What show?

SERGEANT

Big show in the parade grounds this noon – some boss stuff –

WILLARD

This – Bob Hope or the like –

SERGEANT

No sir, I think – this'll be a little bit different –

CHIEF

Where's it gonna be?

He points –
 

FULL SHOT – PARADE GROUNDS – PEDESTAL

A large, well-built pedestal has been erected – this is surrounded by a deep moat filled with punji stakes and garnished with concertina wire. It is empty –

DISSOLVE TO:

FULL SHOT – PARADE GROUNDS – TROOPS

The entire area around the pedestal and right up to the wire is mobbed with seething American fighting men. Some of these boys have just gotten here – others have been in the jungle for months. All have one thing in common, to see and if possible grab an American girl. Their need far surpasses that of the run-of-the-mill rapist, pervert, or child-molester. To counter their need of course are the moat, punji stakes and barbed wire – but implementing this are seven "riot control positions" equipped with the latest in teargas launchers, attack-trained German shepherds and assorted psychological warfare aides. Even so armed, the great mass of wild men are right up to the wire.

FORWARD AREA

Jammed in the crowd
 

CHEF

It's really too much – I mean I've collected every picture of her since she was Miss December.

CLEAN

Yeah – you can really get hung up on them like the cat in the Delta.

CHIEF

What cat?

CLEAN

One that went up for murder – he was an Army Sergeant.

CHIEF

I never heard about that.

CLEAN

Yeah – he really dug his Playboy mag, man – I mean like he was there when it arrived – He just knew.

CHEF

So what happened?

CLEAN

He was working A.R.V.N. patrols and had one a them little cocky gook asshole Lieutenants – anyhow, the Lieutenant took his new Playboy one day, sat on the end of the dock, and wouldn't give it back.

CHEF

Yeah – typical A.R.V.N.

CLEAN

Then went too far – he sat there and starts mutilating the centerfold. Poking pins in her an' all that. Sergeant says, don't do her like that. You leave your shitty little hands off that girl. Gook Lieutenant says Fuck you in Vietnamese – Sergeant says, don't do that again. You'll wish you hadn't. Then he stood up, flicked his iron to rock and roll and gave the little zero a long burst through the Playboy mag. Man, it blew him clean off the dock – Hell, just the magazine was floatin' there all full of holes.

CHIEF

They nail him for it bad?

CLEAN

He's in the L.B.J. – didn't give him no medals or nothing –

In the background, we begin to HEAR a SWELL of TWO THOUSAND MALE VOICES; the ENGINES of four helicopters approaching. All heads turn skywards while one descends onto the pedestal kicking up a lot of dust and general resentment. On the nose and doors of the black Huey are painted large Playboy rabbits. Finally the blades are trimmed and a strange silence descends over the men. The door of the copter slides partially open – two young Green Berets step out with M-16's to varied catcalls. When this abates a young, extremely well-dressed man emerges. He is the epitome of a Hollywood AGENT. Hair is combed impeccably and free of dandruff – clothes are formal but hip – shoes are shined – Quite some dude – his presence causes some stirring but seems to strangely quiet the man.

He walks over to the microphone.

AGENT

I'd like to say hello from all of us up here, to all of you out there. All of you who've worked so hard during Operation Brute Force – Paratroopers – Infantry – Airmen – Medics – Marines – and Sailors. And I want you to know that we feel proud of you and know how hard your job is. To prove it – we've brought some entertainment we think you're gonna like: The Playmate of the Year and her two runners up!

He pulls open the door and three unbelievably beautiful sex playmates in fringed go-go outfits leap out and start dancing to the Creedence Clearwater Revival singing "Suzy Q."

MONTAGE ON THE GIRLS AND MEN

VARIOUS SHOTS as the girls dance in an incredibly erotic manner – smiling.

The faces of the G.I.'s pass – their jaws drop – some look almost horrified. Chef is hypnotized – Mr. Clean cries. Chief mouths unspoken obscenities with sentimental tenderness.

Others grab the air in front of them. With each movement their need increases by the square.

FULL SHOT – PEDESTAL – GIRLS – MEN

They crush forward starting to scream – men fall on the wire – the guards in the "riot control positions" forget – the attack dogs are trampled. The mob as one surges forward onto the wire. Men scream and fall  into the moat, which is filling up fast. The Agent sees this all as he has seen it before. He casually pulls the pin of a smoke grenade; the girls retreat into the copter – he follows, then the two Green Berets. The ROTARS WHINE – the black Playboy Huey lifts off just as the first crazed men reach it. They grab frantically for the wheels, but miss. The Huey wheels up into the blue sky, leaving them all below.

Such are the ways of war.

CUT TO:

EXT. FULL VIEW – DAY

The P.B.R. moving further up the primitive coastline. There are few signs of civilization; no villages, no boats – just the overwhelming presence of the jungle.

WILLARD (V.O.)

Two days out of Hau Fat, there was nothing but us and the coastline. I felt like I had set off for the center of the earth...

Suddenly, Chief looks out, ahead.

CHIEF

Smoke!

WILLARD

Where?

They all turn. Chief points up the coast.

FULL SHOT – THE COASTLINE

A thick train of black smoke rises from the green jungle.

WILLARD

Black smoke... secondary burning.

The Chief grabs field glasses.

CHIEF

Yeah – fishing village – helicopters over there. Hueys, lots of 'em.

WILLARD

First Air Cavalry. They're the ones gonna get us into the River.

FULL SHOT – THE BEACH AND VILLAGE

A vast field of devastation – smashed and smoking palm trees – deep, ragged craters – gutted and burning huts – shattered sampans and bodies washing around in the surf.

MEDIUM SHOT – BEACH – WILLARD AND CREW

They wade through the water to the beach where they are met by a heavily armed group of men.

Overhead jets swoop by FIRING ROCKETS, the NOISE drowning out Willard's attempt at conversation with some of the men.

We can't hear any of the talk, but we notice that the Sergeant turns up to a particular Huey, and points to it.

FULL SHOT – HELICOPTERS

Three Hueys swoop in low – they are heavily laden with machine guns – rockets and loudspeakers. The two outside copters hover, while the center copter lands, raising a lot of dust. It cuts its rotors and the other copters pull up and off to the side. Two armed soldiers jump from the doors and stand with guns ready. Then a tall, strong looking man emerges. He wears a well-cut and neatly-stretched tiger suit. It is COLONEL WILLIAM KILGORE – tough looking, well-tanned, with a black mustache.

He crouches over, holding his hat in the rotor wash. It is no ordinary hat but a L.A. Dodgers baseball hat. He walks out, and then starts to his full immense height and with his hands on his hips he surveys the field of battle. His eyes are obscured by mirror-fronted sunglasses.

KILGORE

(bellowing)

Lieutenant: Bomb that tree line back about a hundred yards – give me some room to breathe.

A Lieutenant and radio man nod and rush off.

CLOSE VIEW ON WILLARD

He was not quite prepared for this.

VIEW ON KILGORE

Turning to his GUARDS

KILGORE

Bring me some cards.

GUARD

Sir?

KILGORE

Body cards, you damn fool – cards!

The soldier rushes over and hands him two brand new packages of playing cards wrapped in plastic. Two other soldiers get out of the copter and walk over. They are well-tanned and carry no weapons. They seem more casual about the Colonel than anyone else. The Sergeant walks up, leading Willard, the Chief and Lance.

WILLARD

(formally)

Captain B.L. Willard, sir – 4th Recon Group – I carry priority papers from Com-Sec Intelligence 11 Corp – I believe you understand the nature of my mission.

KILGORE

(not looking up)

Yeah – Na Trang told me to expect you – we'll see what we can do. Just stay out of my way till this is done, Captain.

He cracks the plastic wrapping sharply – takes out the deck of new cards and fans them. The Colonel strides right past Willard with no further acknowledgement. The others follow,

TRACKING VIEW

The Colonel walks through the shell-pocked field of devastation. Soldiers gather around smiling; as Kilgore comes to each V.C. corpse he drops a playing card on it – carefully picking out which card he uses.

KILGORE

(to himself)

Six a spades – eight a hearts – Isn't one worth a Jack in this whole place.

The Colonel goes on about this business.

TRACKING ON KILGORE

Moving through the corpses, dropping the cards.

On of the two tanned soldiers rushes up and whispers something to him. He stops.

KILGORE
What? Here. You sure?

The soldier points to Lance, who immediately puts down the card he was holding. Kilgore strides over to the young man, who almost instinctively moves closer to Willard.

KILGORE

(continuing)

What's your name, sailor?

LANCE

Gunner's Mate, Third Class – L. Johnson, sir.

KILGORE

Lance Johnson? The surfer?

LANCE

That's right, sir.

Kilgore smiles – sticks out his hand.

KILGORE

It's an honor to meet you Lance. I've admired your nose-riding for years – I like your cutback, too. I think you have the best cutback there is.

LANCE

Thank you, sir.

KILGORE

You can cut out the sir, Lance – I'm Bill Kilgore – I'm a goofy foot.

VIEW ON WILLARD

His entire, top priority  mission has been put in the background.

KILGORE (O.S.)

This is Mike from San Diego and Johnny from Malibu – they're good solid surfers – none of us are anywhere near your class, though.

Lance blushes, sort of mumbling thanks.

WILLARD

My orders are from Com-Sec Intel – B.L. Willard, 4th Recon –

KILGORE

Just hold up a second, Captain – I'll get to you soon enough – We've got things to do here.

Willard eats it, for now. Kilgore puts his hand on Lance's shoulder, and continues flipping the cards indiscriminately on the bodies as they talk.

KILGORE

(continuing)

... we do a lot of surfing around here. Like to finish up operations early and fly down to Vung Tau for the evening glass. Have you ever surfed the point at Vung Tau? I liked the beach breaks around Na Trang a lot – good lefts.

He passes a twisted gun emplacement with about five bodies – sprinkles cards all over them.

KILGORE

(continuing)

... we keep three boards in my Command Huey at all times. You never can tell when you're gonna run into something good. I got a guy in Cam Rau Bay that can predict a swell two days in advance. We try to work it in.

He stops at a particularly wild-looking Viet Cong who has died with his mouth agape – staring wild-eyed in horror at the sky. Kilgore pauses.

KILGORE

(continuing; to himself)

Hell, that's an Ace if I ever saw one.

He puts the card in the gaping mouth.

CLOSE VIEW OVER THE VIET CONG

We SEE the Colonel and the others walk off – the dead Viet Cong and card are in the immediate foreground. The card has the shield of the CAV printed beautifully, and above it the motto: "DEATH FROM ABOVE"

KILGORE

Where've you been riding, Lance?

LANCE

I haven't surfed since I got here.

KILGORE

That's terrible – we'll change that – I'd like to see you work – I've always liked your cutback; got a hell of a left turn, too.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. THE HELICOPTER – MEDIUM SHOT

Willard is sitting with Kilgore on a couple of chairs by a table set up in front of the command copter.

Everywhere we SEE armed men, sandbags, barbed wire, oil drums etc. Hueys are constantly ROARING over. ARTILLERY BOOMS in the far distance. Kilgore looks at the map.

KILGORE

Why the hell you wanna go up to Nu Mung Ba for?

WILLARD

I got bored in Saigon.

KILGORE

What's the furthest you been in?

WILLARD

Haiphong.

KILGORE

Haiphong? Shit, you jump in?