Apocalypse now

[Pastor Chris]

I just finished watching Apocalypse Now-Redux which aired for Memorial Day here in the US. Dennis Hopper's photojournalist character had an arsenal of no fewer than five cameras around his neck in his scenes. Most were SLRs and at least one with a motor winder. Can anyone comment on what cameras he was using? Just useless curiosity on my part really.

[Greyscale]

I think that they are Nikkormats. Perhaps with a Nikon F or two mixed in.

[intheviewfinder]

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

[Phil_F_NM]

It's an interesting character, as Dennis Hopper himself is quite an accomplished photographer. Taschen printed up a limited number of books featuring his photography. I wish i could get my hands on one.

Phil Forrest

[dave lackey]

Ditto on the above Nikons...

Thanks for this thread, Chris as I am now a proud owner of a Nikon F2 (Thanks, Gil!). The mention of a waist-level finder has me intrigued....:)

[pggunn]

It's an interesting character, as Dennis Hopper himself is quite an accomplished photographer. Taschen printed up a limited number of books featuring his photography. I wish i could get my hands on one.

Phil Forrest

I wish I could my hands on one of those books too. I do have a copy of Black & White magazine, issue 51, June 2007, with Hopper on the cover. There's a a good article about him with an interview and over a dozen of his photographs.

[intheviewfinder]

Actually you can get a copy of Dennis Hopper: Photographs 1961-1967 for under $50 if you look around a bit.

--Rich

[Nokton48]

I believe they were all Nikon F's, one with an F36 Motor Drive. I'm recalling from memory, not from watching recently. The F2 came along much later, I'm sure Hopper and Copolla wanted realism. I know I remember seeing a 200mm F4 Nikkor (had one when I was in High School).

EDIT: Definately all Nikon F's. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=1kqFwVuQ-Hg&NR=1

[pggunn]

Actually you can get a copy of Dennis Hopper: Photographs 1961-1967 for under $50 if you look around a bit.

--Rich

Thanks! Just found it on Amazon for $44.09, brand new.

[rbelyell]

interesting thread. btw, and somewhat OT, i just have to say this is my all time favorite movie. the filming/cinematography is just superb, especially in the Redux version. combining certain scenes with iconic music was i think something of a first as well.

the first time i saw this film i was in college. when it ended my friend and i were both so totally speechless amd thoroughly engrossed, we sat silently until the film started again, and sat through it a second time!
tony

[kbg32]

Yes, all Nikon Fs. The F2 was not introduced until 1971. The movie takes place in the '60s.

[Pastor Chris]

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?

[michaelbialecki]

I just watched that movie yesterday here in Bangkok......the redux version.....classic movie......I used to live in Vietnam and I've traveled a lot in Cambodia.....the quote above by Pastor Chris is classic......

cheers, michael

[intheviewfinder]

Nokton48 (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/member.php?u=9040)'s link to the film clip surely shows nothing but the infamous 'hockey pucks'. And yes the F2 was introduced in 1971. I seem to recall Dennis talking about using them during the filming. I'm pretty sure I've seen them in relation to this movie - maybe stills or out-takes since Hopper was a Hollywood 'bad boy'.

--Rich

[naruto]

I just re-watched the movie recently, and I am still awe of the movie, and characters. I love the scene when Dennis Hopper comes in resembling a photo mannequin. :)

[Deep Fried]

The Colonel would have chopped off Gilden's hands and feed him a finger each day.

[rbelyell]

The Colonel would have chopped off Gilden's hands and feed him a finger each day.

'clarity'.
tony

[Pastor Chris]

The Colonel would have chopped off Gilden's hands and feed him a finger each day.

That is thoroughly disgusting, yet probably true to form for the character.:eek:

[tom.w.bn]

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.

[Pastor Chris]

The version that I most recently watched was the redux version, which I had not seen previously. I had not watched this movie since I was in my teens, more than 20 years ago. It was interesting to return, and of course wait for some of my favorite lines, "Charlie don't surf!" and see more, and different issues in the movie. I found the scenes where Capt. Willard was dining with the French plantation owners far up the river. The tension in that scene was incredible; all of the political opinions coupled with near insanity, and Willard just as a quietly listening bystander almost. It was a long, and enjoyable time sitting on my couch on a hot Memorial Day after services in our little town.

[Pastor Chris]

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.

I think I agree with most of what you had said, nothing relevant, but some additional background and color to the broad picture. I now know a little more about why Lance all of sudden showed up in a scene with camo face paint. Too long for the cinema, perhaps, but not bad for Tivo!:rolleyes:

[tom.w.bn]

I think I agree with most of what you had said, nothing relevant, but some additional background and color to the broad picture. I now know a little more about why Lance all of sudden showed up in a scene with camo face paint. Too long for the cinema, perhaps, but not bad for Tivo!:rolleyes:

In the next director cut they should explain how dennis hopper get's his film down there in the jungle :rolleyes:

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

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

[Steve Bellayr]

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.

[maddoc]

I would recommend reading "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. :)

[Pastor Chris]

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.

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.

[Peter Wijninga]

One of my favourite movies...the original version though. Dennis Hopper, photographs 1961-1967 (Hardcover), goes for US$ 44 new on amazon.com

[Deep Fried]

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.

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

[Vics]

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.
I agree completely. My favorite movie, by the way. Conrad was an amazing storyteller, especially considering he was not writing in his native language!

[ChipMcD]

I would recommend reading "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad. :)


That's where it all started for this movie. I like the original better. The horror; the horror.

[Aristophanes]

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?

How about the poor guy in the processing lab. What would he have done to him? :eek:

[Pastor Chris]

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

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.

[Pastor Chris]

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

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)

[Keith]

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!

[Pastor Chris]

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!

Uh oh Keith, I feel another thread-shift coming on. . . Everybody hold on tight!

[Keith]

Uh oh Keith, I feel another thread-shift coming on. . . Everybody hold on tight!


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

[Deep Fried]

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.

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.

[Pastor Chris]

"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?

[Pastor Chris]

[QUOTE=Keith;1892243]And Apocalypse Now and Easy Rider have so much in common ... right? :D

You couldn't see Kurtz sitting on the back of a bike in a gold football helmet?

[Deep Fried]

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

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"

[Deep Fried]

what is the camera that gets stolen from the cafe table?

[Pastor Chris]

Keith, I think Easy Rider is lame. Only saw it once but as I recall it didn't do it for me. "

Could this be an age thing? I'm 44 and I get it to a degree, but not as much as someone who is 10-15 years older than me.

[intheviewfinder]

The Nikon F was virtually indestructible (I did fry three of them on White Sands Proving Ground but that's a whole other story). It was New York camera repairman Marty Forcher (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/nyregion/11forscher.html) who first called it, “a hockey puck.”

--Rich

[Keith]

I agree that Easy Rider wasn't a great movie per se but I think it was more about that time period in the US that struck a chord with many people. Woodstock, the hippie movement, drugs and all that other stuff that the older generation hated!

I was seventeen and rode motorcycles and listened a lot to the music/artists that were in the film soundtrack ... so I guess it all meant something to me! :D

[bhop73]

I dressed as that character for halloween last year.. most of my coworkers didn't get it, but a couple did.. heh. My neck hurt after a while..

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6216/6299521950_23b0e99dcd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhop73/6299521950/)
Zap em' with your sirens, man! Zap em' with your sirens! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bhop73/6299521950/) by bhop (http://www.flickr.com/people/bhop73/), on Flickr

[Pastor Chris]

The only reason some didn't recognize you is that you are only carrying three cameras, the photojournalist had five, which is one, you only had 3/5! That's a fraction! Can you head out into space and land on a fraction? No way man!

[Nokton48]

Here's a still from the movie set. I still think those are all Nikon F's.
I've owned at least a dozen of them myself, starting in the mid 70's.
From a distance, the all-silver selftimer is a giveaway.

http://camaracoleccion.es/imagenes/Apocalypse_Now_c.jpg

[Steve Bellayr]

For Pastor Chris & Deep Fried: The Seiko 6309 is a later model. It was worn by Charlie Sheen in "Platoon". Both look alike from a distance but side by side close up they are quite different. Besides the markings for the minutes & the hands which are different as well as the bezel, the 6309 is larger. The 6105 is Vietnam Era while the 6309 is after.

[Pastor Chris]

Steve, thanks for sharing your knowledge of Seiko! I might have to keep and eye out for a 6105.

[Deep Fried]

For Pastor Chris & Deep Fried: The Seiko 6309 is a later model. It was worn by Charlie Sheen in "Platoon". Both look alike from a distance but side by side close up they are quite different. Besides the markings for the minutes & the hands which are different as well as the bezel, the 6309 is larger. The 6105 is Vietnam Era while the 6309 is after.

Oh I'm well aware:) (but I'm rehabilitated now....mostly)

The 6309 is THE single most beautiful cushion case diver ever made. The dial is so perfect... makes my heart flutter. I tend to focus on that model whenever the subject comes up. I need to stop thinking about them or the camera budget will be toast

[RichW]

Did someone mention Seiko diver's watches? Please don't get me started, here is my fav, -

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3446/seikomm.jpg

I was watch mad before becoming camera mad

Sorry for going OT :) , Anyway - haven't seen that film in a while - now I have an urge!

Richard

[Deep Fried]

Mmmmmm cigarette hands.

I'm recovered from watches. I'm recovered from watches. I'm recov.....

It ain't working. feeling urges. crap.

[easyrider]

This thread would be incomplete without a mention of Horst Faas, who died earlier this month. Photos show him with multi-cameras, Nikon Fs and Leicas.
Here is a link:
http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2012/05/11/horst-faass-vietnam-war-photos/

You can see more shots of him if you Google him.

[ChrisN]

I have a Seiko 6309-7040 sitting on the desk beside me as I read this thread. I bought it new in 1975 (from memory) when I got my first full-time job. And here's a pic of me wearing it in 1981, at the top of Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. True vintage stuff.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=91064&d=1338525769


And you lot now have me looking for a copy of AN on DVD. :)

[Nokton48]

OK More on Dennis.

He couldn't remember his lines in "Apocalypse Now".

Loved his perfomance in "Blue Velvet". He told David Lynch he wanted to play Frank Poole, because he -was- Frank Poole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGXd9iYli8

[RichW]

ES 335 dot neck burst?

good guess JSU - but it's actually an Epiphone copy, can't afford the real thing :)

Richard