Apocalypse Now Redux Page #21

EXT. RIVER - THE PBR - DAY

The PBR moves down the river. Willard is studying the

dossier, holding a LETTER from Kurtz to his son.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(reading letter)

"Dear Son. I'm afraid that both

you and your mother will have

worried at not hearing from me

during the past weeks, but my

situation here has become a

difficult one. I have been

officially accused of murder by

the army. The alleged victims

were four Vietnamese double agents.

We spent months uncovering then

and accumulating evidence. When

absolute proof was completed, we

acted. We acted like soldiers.

The charges are unjustified. They

are, in fact, and under the

circumstances of this conflict,

quite completely insane."

The boat moves past some DEAD AMERICAN PILOTS. Their bodies

are lying in the water, on the bank, and in the trees, all

torn apart and bloody. There is smoke and debris all

around.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing reading

letter)

"In a war, there are many moments

for compassion and tender action.

There are many moments for ruthless

action. What is often called

ruthless, but may, in many

circumstances, be only clarity.

Seeing clearly what there is to be

done, and doing it directly,

quickly, awake.

They come upon a burning helicopter, which has crashed in

one of the trees on the shore. This explains the dead

American bodies. The Chief picks up the radio phone,

calling to headquarters.

CHIEF (OVER TAPE)

Request-dust off. Three, maybe

four KIAs.

WILLARD (V.O.)

(continuing reading

letter)

"I will trust you tell your mother

what you choose about this letter.

As for the charges against me, I

am unconcerned. I am beyond their

timid, lying morality, and so I am

beyond caring. You have all my

faith. Your loving father.

CLOSE ON A SHADOWY PHOTO OF KURTZ

The caption "Photo believed to be Col. W. E. Kurtz."

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. RIVER OUTPOST - DAY

It is a tremendous, tropical rainfall. The PBR pulls in

toward an American outpost that is being used as a forward

medical evacuation center. Various helicopter pads are

seen but only one helicopter-the one painted with the

Playboy bunny logo that brought the girls to Hau Phat.

The whole area is a mess with mud and debris and looks

deserted.

WILLARD:

(reacting)

Jesus.

CHIEF:

No wonder I couldn't get them on

the radio.

WILLARD:

What a dump.

Several soldiers in raincoats come out from a tent as the

PBR pulls up.

SOLDIER:

Hi there!

WILLARD:

How you doing?

SOLDIER:

That's a nice little boat you got

there. Never seen one up here

before.

CHIEF:

We called in a request for a

medevac. You guys didn't receive

it?

SOLDIER:

Medevac? No.

CHIEF:

We passed a downed Huey with some

KIAs.

SOLDIER:

On your way here?

CHIEF:

Yeah.

SOLDIER:

(incredulous)

You going up this river?

CHIEF:

Way up.

SOLDIER:

Way up river? Forget it.

CHIEF:

Why?

SOLDIER:

We wanna send some people down

river. Just forget it.

They turn around and start to go back to their tents.

CHEF:

(to Willard)

What the f*** was that?

CHIEF:

(calling out)

We'll be back in a couple of days.

The soldier looks at him as though he must be crazy.

SOLDIER:

Yeah, right, you'll be back.

They return to the tent. Willard steps off the PBR.

WILLARD:

Chief?

CHIEF:

Yeah, Captain.

WILLARD:

See what you can do with that

engine. I'm gonna have a look

around. And don't leave without

me.

He walks up the muddy bank and through the deserted camp.

Half of it is blown down. The whole installation has the

look of a ghost town. TWO SOLDIERS approach, huddled in

their ponchos.

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