Editing Film Theory Analysis of Apocalypse Now (section)

=== Visual and Artistic Analysis ===

Coppola’s use of surreal visuals, including disorienting hallucinations, haunting sound design, and immersive cinematography, amplifies the film's thematic complexity. The smoky, chaos-filled river sequences evoke a dreamlike landscape that blurs the line between reality and hallucination, mirroring the mental states of the characters.

The iconic images—such as the helicopter attack set to Wagner’s "Ride of the Valkyries"—serve as visceral representations of the film’s critique of the spectacle of violence and the dehumanization of war.