One of the most legendary war movies of all time is finally free to stream ‣ Diverse Daily

Director Francis Ford Coppola has given us some of the greatest movies ever made, including The Godfather and The Conversation. Though the quality of Coppola’s filmography declined later in his life, many of his films continue to deliver amazing and enchanting stories. Today, Apocalypse Now, arguably the director’s magnum opus, is available for free on streaming.

Loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s novella Heart of Darkness, Apocalypse Now follows Captain Willard when he is assigned to assassinate Col. Kurtz, who has gone rogue and formed a savage cult in Cambodia while fighting in the Vietnam War.

What starts out as a traditional war film transforms into a psychedelic journey into Hell itself, as Willard and his crew encounter all sorts of horrors in the depths of the jungle that reveal humanity’s capacity for evil.

The film went through such a long, chaotic production that it became the subject of the documentary Hearts of Darkness. Nevertheless, Apocalypse Now made it through this long struggle as a bona fide masterpiece. With a 91% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Coppola’s film is now widely considered one of the best films of all time. Personally, I prefer this movie over the first two Godfather films.

If you’re a fan of epic blockbusters like Dune or The Odyssey, Apocalypse Now should be at the top of your list.

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Apocalypse Now is one of the most haunting, unforgettable war films ever

Coppola’s film unleashed the true terror of the Vietnam War

Before the age of CGI, Coppola went all out with practical effects in Apocalypse Now, delivering a massive, explosive spectacle that looks incredible nearly 50 years later. Specifically, the “Ride of the Valkyries” sequence remains a thrilling, unforgettable piece of war cinema.

However, Apocalypse Now is more than just a flashy action film. It is an eerie odyssey into the senseless horrors of war. As Willard and his men go further down the river, many of them lose their innocence, their sanity, and ultimately their lives as they encounter so much chaos and bloodshed.

At the same time, Apocalypse Now highlights the evils of American imperialism. Throughout the film, the U.S. military is shown slaughtering civilians in Vietnam, ravaging their land, and locking up children all in the name of preserving “freedom.” Soldiers like Robert Duvall’s Kilgore unleash death with such pep and bravado that they ultimately become a dark satire of the American military. The movie reaches the peak of darkness when Kurtz finally reveals himself, with Marlon Brando delivering a haunting, magnetic performance as the fallen colonel.

Apocalypse Now is now available on Plex

Plex occasionally guides users to streaming services where certain films are available. However, Plex currently has Apocalypse Now in its digital library, and you can watch it for free right now without an account. But like Tubi and Pluto TV, Plex is an ad-supported service, so you’ll have to watch some commercials while streaming the film.

Bear in mind, the cut of Apocalypse Now on Plex is the Redux version, which is about 45 minutes longer than the two-and-a-half-hour theatrical cut. This lets fans of Apocalypse Now see several scenes that were axed from the film without having to pay extra.

More action-packed films are on Plex

You can also experience more Coppola classics for free

If Apocalypse Now Redux isn’t enough for you, Plex has many other classic films that tackle war or feature unforgettable action. Such films include Heat, Ran, Apocalypto, Ben-Hur, North by Northwest, and Seven Samurai.

Francis Ford Coppola fans can also stream some of the director’s other films for free on Plex. Such notable titles include The Conversation, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, and The Cotton Club.

Overall, Plex has multiple action films, war epics, and Coppola classics for users to enjoy. Each of these movies has its own strengths and is worth a watch. But with Apocalypse Now, Coppola sends viewers on a nightmarish journey that blends vibrant imagery with extreme action, scathing satire, and soul-crushing horror, making it a must-see masterpiece for lovers of bold, unbridled cinema.