Meeting Kilgore

Meeting Kilgore

The opening to the meeting Kilgore scene has Kilgore and Willard slightly left in the frame, this is so we can see the background and destruction happening behind them. The background looks chaotic and this reflects Kilgores attitude and methods. The lighting is warm and has an orange tinge to it, this is because of the destruction of the village as it's been destroyed by American soldiers. When Kilgore walks away from Willard while he is trying to talk to him there is cut which and shows Willard left alone, this also reinforces Kilgores character and how he's chaotic and unorthodox. Kilgore walks along with a pack of cards and throws them on the dead bodies, this is also showing how unorthodox Kilgore is. Throughout the scene we can also hear helicopters in the background, this helps create the atmosphere for the scene and makes it more realistic. While walking through the village Kilgore is followed by a journalist who is taking pictures or him and what he's doing. The Vietnam War came at the height of television and many people were able to see what was going on in the war, this meant it was easier to protest and convince people to protest against the war because people had evidence of how damaging war was, Coppola put journalists throughout the movie to highlight this.It also reflects American culture and how a lot of people were interested in the war through tv. Kilgore has a big physique and is always wearing sunglasses and a hat, this makes him intimidating and shows what American lieutenant colonels were. Kilgore also shows he is somewhat compassionate by helping a Vietnamese man who's guts are falling out by letting him drink from his canteen he says "any man brave enough to hold his guts in can drink from my canteen" this shows the importance bravery is to him and could also reflect the typical American Lieutenant Colonel. After told about one of the soldiers being a surfer he completely ignores the dying man and spills all the water everywhere, this is showing how distracted and crazy Kilgore is. 

The helicopter attack scene starts with a mid shot of the inside of the helicopter, we see Kilgore and Willard as well as some other soldiers in the helicopter. There is a series of shots where the camera zooms in on the weapons and guns attached to the helicopters, at this point the audience can understand what's about to happen. The helicopters are all flying in formation with the song 'ride of the Valkyries' of it, there Is then a close up of one of the soldiers touching the missile launcher. These are all clues to the audience that there is going to be an attack and some action which is probably what most of the audience would want. The attack scene is good as it helps the audience understand how violent and ruthless the war was, we also get to see Kilgore and Willard in combat therefore we can see how they deal with war. The next scenes are all the soldiers getting ready to attack as well as the helicopters in formation, we see soldiers reloading their guns and the music gets louder to increase tension and excitement.It then cuts from the loud music and helicopters to a silent peaceful village, this direct contrast shows how violent and aggressive the American Army was in attacking a peaceful innocent village. The village itself Is very basic with small houses made of wood and the only sound that can be heard is children and a dog barking, the sound of helicopters get louder to show how the Americans are approaching. when they realise its an attack they all scramble to safety. Then there's a long shot of the American helicopters, the helicopters are at the top of the frame showing they are powerful and in control of the battle. Then along with the loud music we hear gun fire and explosions as the Americans attack the village, this creates the action and excitement needed to push the story forward. This also allows the audience to see how the Americans fight in wars and how brutal they were.The only other sounds the audience can hear is the pilots communicating with each-other.  In this scene we also see Kilgore invalid in the attack as his pilots fire missiles at men with a machine gun he says "outstanding team outstanding" this lest the audience see how Kilgore reacts to death and violence and how he is desensitised to it, he also has binoculars and its one of the first scenes he isn't wearing his sunglasses over his eyes.