Tiger Attack: The CRAZY Story Behind Filming This Scene | Ep13 | Making Apocalypse Now

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A scene in which Willard and Chef venture into the jungle and are confronted by a tiger not only kicks off the journey up the river to Kurtz but gives us a glimpse into the danger of leaving the boat and the heart of darkness Willard (and Coppola) must face in order to complete the mission. In this video, we’ll take a look at what makes this scene important to the story, the color-theory and inspirations cinematographer Vittorio Storaro used, and the crazy story about bringing a tiger from Los Angeles to the location.
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This video is by Tyler Knudsen.
Affiliate Links:
(Coppola) Notes on the Making of Apocalypse Now by Eleanor Coppola: amzn.to/3K9B9XH
(Cowie) The Apocalypse Now Book by Peter Cowie: amzn.to/3Zh8rZp
(Travers) Coppola's Monster Film: The Making of Apocalypse Now by Steven Travers: amzn.to/3ZybjS1
(Commentary) Apocalypse Now: The Final Cut: amzn.to/3npMry6
(Playboy)The Playboy Interviews: The Directors: amzn.to/40Ez8IO
(Martin) New Waves in Cinema by Sean Martin: amzn.to/3FSCdge
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse: amzn.to/40CnoGB
(Phillips) Godfather: The Intimate Francis Ford Coppola By Gene D. Phillips: amzn.to/3lCPlzj
Sources:
[Cinephilia & Beyond] Incredible collection of resources on Apocalypse Now: bit.ly/35Mvv7M
Adam Savage’s Kurtz Dossier: • Adam Savage's Apocalyp...
(American Cinematographer)Interview With Vittorio Storaro - American Cinematographer - Feb 2001 - bit.ly/35yw2fy
(Writing with Light)Writing With Light - bit.ly/2ICNTJp
(Salon) The Sound of Vietnam by Michael Sragow - bit.ly/3qy8917
(Milius Screenplay) 1969 Draft of the Screenplay by John Milius
(Nowness)Coppola’s Writing Process: bit.ly/3Vip2KS
Music:
Epidemic Sound

[@CinemaTyler]

Hi everybody. This is a re-upload of this episode because the painting at 7:10 was apparently too risqué and it violated KZbin's community standards and caused them to age-restrict the video (which would heavily suppress the video's reach). It's kinda silly, I know, but it's okay. I understand that it is difficult to be nuanced when they are working with such a high number of videos. I just wish they had flagged it between me uploading it and publishing it.

[@WojciechDobosz]

Here I was having a deja vu

[@acetate909]

Wow, considering the content YT allows on a regular basis makes their arbitrary censorship of your thoughtfull and articulate video even more egregious. It's ok to sexuaIize very young chiIdren but don't you dare show clips critiqueing a cinematic masterpiece. Unbelievable.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

This censorship is getting out of hand.

[@reddykilowatt]

lol are they going to require pants on Michelangelo’s David?

[@selphhelpvideo]

I just posted a behind the scenes video of a painting I painted filled with nude faeries. I guess I’m next 🤮 how utterly stupid. Great work as always!

[@JH-lo9ut]

Chef is such an important character. You can't not like him. He's a Saucier! Chefs freak-out after the tiger incident is one of the most humane reactions in the movie. This film takes you on a psychedelic trip of sorts. Reality is diluted, distorted you are there, but you are not really there. Chef pulls you right back to reality for a moment. It's a big "F**k this shit i wanna go home!" It is so relatable, it is so direct to the point, so human. Perfectly acted. This is also very reminicent of a breakthrough during a psycheddelic trip. When you feel it is all to much to take in. You realize there is no escape from the suffering, you are powerless to fight it. You break down and cry like a child. You display the folly in fighting with your own mind, you act it out and make an ass of yourself. Is this the ego fighting for control? I dont know but not until that point, you can accept what is happening and move on.

[@darndude5088]

Always felt this movie was psychedelic but then again most good movies are

[@tomservo5347]

I always liked how Chef was oblivious to the tiger-but Willard's instincts were razor sharp as he 'felt' something lurking in the darkness. It showcased how Willard is just where he wants to be, can never go back to civilian life and is dangerously close to going full Kurtz mode. (Willard relates how he's began to admire Kurtz while going through his dossier in an earlier scene.) Willard is the epitome of the type of warriors Kurtz felt were needed to actually win.

[@blastermaster5039]

Chef is obviously a civilian given training and a gun to fight in a war that, yes he might or does understand, but he has none of his heart invested in. Willard on the other had, similar to Kurtz are true warriors and soldiers through and through.

[@starwarsroo2448]

All the noise in the jungle just stops he didn't feel anything

[@DrMarianus]

I served in Danang, Vietnam as a US Navy Diver. I agree, warriors like this are needed. But it was the policies of the US that lost a war, not its military. The ROE (Rules of Engagement) and no stomach for ending a war quickly is what ended the war. These prolonged wars are worse.

[@insanejughead]

Just like on the first upload, I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your dedication to this exquisite film and the massive backstory it was built from (all 80 years of it!)

[@marcmeinzer8859]

I knew somebody that happened to for real in Vietnam. He was a janitor at the university I attended from 1973 to 1977. We used to party with him and he would chew the filters of his cigarettes until they were destroyed. He was an army infantryman and not a navy riverine guy or black beret. He rented somebody’s garage in Oxford, Ohio and converted it into an efficiency apartment. He was using his free tuition to get multiple bachelor’s degrees. Everybody called him Weird Phil. He was one of the most fascinating characters on campus.

[@jsXanatos]

chef actually survived and became the pawn store owner in falling down, this is canon

[@C.Fecteau-AU-MJ13]

"Of course when you're done, you gotta clean the waffle out with a stick, but ya can't have everything... Am I right, or am I wrong?" My favourite film.

[@randall9000]

Think about it!

[@sartainja]

Priceless.

[@SantaBumm]

We're the same, you and me. We're the same.

[@doubledrats235]

Interesting that the tiger scene was filmed around the same time that I was reading “The Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad in high school. I first saw this film shortly after it came out in the theatre with a friend I graduated high school with. At some point we looked at each other and realized this was the same story we read in English class.

[@Ruylopez778]

I do have to wonder when it comes to 'age-restriction', who are the people we are 'protecting' from clicking on a documentary video about Apocalypse Now with 'tiger attack scene' in the title, that can't handle a painting you can see at the MoMA? There's even a video *on KZbin* from the MoMA channel, of this very painting, and it even zooms in to show the curator dusting the figure, that is not age restricted. It's from 2019 and has 116k views.

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

Still pretty happy you're still doing videos about this immersive movie. 🦇

[@jamesdrynan]

The wild tiger is my favorite animal. Not as a pet or movie extra, though. In its natural environment, it is a supremely powerful creature, beautifully marked. I would disagree with Forrest's description of the tiger's eye looking mad. Look closely. In that black-rimmed yellow lies bravery, strength and intelligence. No two tigers have the same stripe pattern. The marking on the forehead closely resembles the Chinese symbol for KING.

[@davidlean1060]

In fairness, you'd probably think a tiger has mad eyes if it was running straight at you.

[@dannycrockett9878]

How amazing is it with all the peripheral and way off screen preparation that takes place for a classic film like this, that it's all invested so that some dude, or several million dudes, will watch this from a cinema seat and at film's conclusion say, AWESOME! I mean the Kurtz dossier and the unwritten or even un-mentioned backstory from characters like Chef, just beautiful. Coppola is a stone cold genius. He obviously adopts this all in approach where the film becomes the real world and nothing else matters. I mean, it's the stuff that you would have never even known or recognized without these documentary type pieces. The colors, sounds, and wildlife being used as metaphors about the war or life or whatever, just absolute fucking genius. By the way, I am hereby a subscriber. This site is really well done.

[@nicedog1]

I always thought that the tiger was superimposed with Willard. I also thought that the jungle was a funny colour but didn’t realise it was deliberate.

[@aliensoup2420]

I really loved the jungle sequence for the color and composition of the trees in comparison to the men. I also had an experience working with a tiger on set. It was for a commercial which was being shot on a sound stage. It was a pretty tense environment even though the trainer was playing with the tiger like a dog or kitten. They told us not to make any loud noises or sudden movements. While everybody sat still and quiet, the trainer walked the tiger around the inside periphery of the stage to get it acquainted and comfortable with the environment. As the camera assistant, I had to go outside to load film. I decided to reenter using a back door to the stage that was basically hidden from the rest of the stage and away from the people and activity. Just as I swung open the stage door, the trainer and tiger were right there walking toward me. It mildly startled the tiger, and I froze for a second, then shut the door between us. I kind of felt like Willard at that moment. I was almost afraid to show myself on stage again, as the tiger might recognize me and be afraid or angry at me for scaring him. It was pretty well behaved though and did what it was supposed to.

[@aliensoup2420]

@@harryom3497 It was not on Apocalypse Now, I said it was a tv commercial, in the U.S.

[@davidunger222]

Apocalypse Now is my favorite movie. I look forward to each new episode you put out. Keep up the great work!

[@MyDogTank]

Just want to say I appreciate your stuff a lot. Keep it up. Just great.

[@lxndr3299]

Thank you for doing a re-edit to keep this up. You do excellent work.

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

This is one of the best scenes in all movie history 👏 🙌 👌 ❤️ ' never get out of the boat man, never get out of 4 boat!!!!'😝

[@GhostRanger5060]

Agreed!!!!

[@pootmcphoot]

When KZbin screws up your favourite channel and they gotta re-upload, you gotta rewatch.

[@mantia39]

I just felt the lighting was to show the darkness and shadow of the triple canopy jungle. All this color symbolism is lost on me,and I've watched this movie maybe 200 times. ...if not more.

[@loganholmberg2295]

Jesus you know more about this movie then Coppola by now. 😅😅 You should go to university and submit this video series as your doctorate on film studies too. I know now more about this movie then I ever cared too and I eagerly await your next video. 👍👍

[@Snowcat-rg7bz]

"Hi tiger, hi tiger!" I will never forget Forrest yelling that as they are headed up river.

[@michaelsamuel9841]

Bye tiger

[@jhare4099]

One of my favorite characters in the movie. I also like the idea that Chefs NOLA accent is pretty accurate

[@sannyassi73]

If this was made Today the Directors wouldn't talk about, be interviewed for, or be proud of how they made such great Cinema. Today Directors will be talking about how it is made for a 'Modern Audience', Identity Politics and they'd call their potential fans racist or insult/shame them if they don't support the Movie by going to see it. Forgot to add- Great video!

[@kenthetalkingpen2518]

One of the best films ever made ❤️ 👌

[@mr.phillips]

Your videos are always the highlight of my subscription box.

[@daveconlin8342]

Martin Sheens band aid is one of the connections between him and Charlie Sheens in 'Platoon' when I knew both movies better I noticed some interesting connections which I believe the movie 'Hot Shots Part Deux' took a shot at.

[@bbt305]

This channel is art about art! Its incredible! My all time favorite movie gets this sort of breakdown, its poetry in motion. To have KZbin not only age restrict art but mess with someone’s very hard work is frankly disturbing! The algorithm becomes ones god. BS

[@jbsmith966]

i about jumped out of my hide the 1st time i ever saw this scene lol

[@PlateletRichGel]

whenever I make a mistake at work, I start crying and saying "Never get off the fucking boh-owt."

[@Bias1978]

Absolutely God damn right !

[@johnpick8336]

Your Videos are incredibly entertaining! Thanks.

[@Captain_Willard]

The redux version makes this movie so different

[@Dreijer94]

I love your channel! Thank you so much for doing this.

[@OddHominum]

Loving every episode wow

[@kremesauce]

Deja-vu, keep up the great work Tyler!

[@354Entertainment]

Awesome Video, thanks for it!

[@touristtam]

I don't think that Willard is trying to know them by empathy but for practical reasons; get them talking and to know what drives then.

[@UDONTCME111]

Who else cracked up when he added that cut from Rambo? LOL

[@androidemulator6952]

"Never get out of the boat.." - Goddamn right

[@robothunter1035]

You're gosh darn, ding-dang-dilly right. Never get out of the fudge-ey boat.

[@mcolville]

Man they did not get the visual they wanted. The jungle never looked multicolored, psychedelic. I never looked like a Ken Russel movie outside that one scene with the colored smoke grenades, but that's on the river, not in the jungle.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

I first saw "AN" at a matinee showing- University Theater in Toronto. I went with three friends right after we all saw the King Tut exhibit on a school trip and we had the rest of the day to kill. Anyways, before we went into the museum we had all dropped a couple of tabs and we were all tripping balls. When I saw the tiger jump out in this scene I had a VERY BAD REACTION! lol. But I can't think of a movie that I ever saw that hit me as hard as this one did. Maybe the first "ALIEN" movie. I was tripping for that one too!

[@kayzeaza]

I knew immediately when I saw the painting it would get the video restricted

[@DominarRygel-XVI]

love your videos

[@zooblestyx]

Before even starting the video, let me just say YAAAY!!

[@c3aloha]

I always use these lines because stationed in Hawaii my coworkers are always talking about picking mangoes 😂

[@rikijett310]

The first time I saw the tiger scene it scared the ever loving hell out of me!!! LOL 😂👍👍

[@vincentgoupil180]

3:09 just the opposite, you'll avoid getting to know the person that's gonna die similiar to the military dehumanizing the enemy so you'll shoot them. Or, giving a name to a farm animal getting attached making it less likely it'll be culled later. So, could be said Willard by getting familiar with the enlisted personnel was less likely to cook them later. Officers do not fraternize with expendable ranks.

[@mikesaunders4694]

…absolutely goddam right.

[@onuq3r4y478]

once this is all said and done, you should consider a physical media release of these (if legal)

[@timoakes450]

READ-THIS-"The Jungle is Neutral"-says it all -haha

[@354Entertainment]

Puge magic this movie!!!!!!

[@tballstaedt7807]

I saw this when I was 14 years old in the theater. To be honest, it was somewhat traumatizing. I suppose I lacked the maturity to process everything rationally.

[@lewistownsend8868]

So did Lawrence Fishburne probably.

[@lsav1085]

Thanks

[@scottscottsdale7868]

Don’t get out of the boat. In Madagascar, I am out of the boat.

[@erikbihari3625]

There's still More?

[@tomsear1]

As famous as the Seiko 6105, the rare ‘Tiger Camo’ with black stripes, is MOST prominent in this scene. the Tiger Camo arose in the Vietnam conflict.

[@tomsear1]

Fn., Australian, Barry ‘Tiger Man’ Peterson, possibly inspo for Kurtz & Tigerland training base in USA.

[@tomsear1]

WRT booze vs weed - my discussions with Australian Company Commanders - confirm this strong dichotomy of what substances were considered acceptable by command.

[@kringlefanten]

It's the same video as you posted some time ago?

[@jimurrata6785]

With pasties

[@gavinmasterson8202]

The tiger sequence is so seductive 🐅

[@AN_PVS-2]

Wow I had no idea that was a real tiger

[@garyaugustus690]

"You kin kiss my ass in the county square, 'cause I'm #@!% buggin' out...

[@bijibadness]

_"[Apocalypse Now]_ was refused any support by the U.S. Military on the production." this is heavily ironic, since it's known that _Apocalypse Now_ is these days a popular pick by that same armed forces as RnR entertainment, yes, but also as a toold for motivating troops into Aggression Mode. you can read about it. it's known. [which is by itself ALSO extremely ironic, since the film's not exactly a RINGING ENDORSEMENT of U.S. aggression]

[@TheJamesdaykin]

🐅

[@Novobranec]

Brilliant video as always! Thank you so so mauch. If I may offer just a small criticism is that the music in this episode was a bit dicstacting. Noticed it a few times. But maybe it's just me. Anyway it's an exellent work all the way through. Sure one that'll be as good 10 years from now as it is now. Best of luck!

[@horrido666]

The ending was the weakest part of the movie. It makes sense that he made it up at the last moment.

[@Burgsly]

Where are all the comments? There's only 29 when I'm writing this!

[@emsports42]

❤

[@rubenoteiza9261]

It is a great thing that they edited out that Kilgore-in-a-chopper-asking-for-his-surfboard-back scene because it is stupid and destroys the characterization of the entire cast and also the relationships that had already been established among these characters. First of all, it destroys the image of Kilgore and depicts him as a shallow immature dork instead of the tough as nails commander he had been until then. But Kilgore is not even in the plot. The worst thing is that commits the deadly sin of establishing a guy-bond between Willard and the boat's crew, an event that will make impossible to (re)establish the psychological distance we see between them for the rest of the movie, specially in the scene when the skipper is dying and tries to kill him too. It is obvious he hates Willard with all his dying heart. But that scene would have been impossible with a bond existing between them, after they stole the surfboard, added to that the fact that Willard provided for the sexual services of the bunnies for his crew. That's another masterful cut, the stranded bunnies, because had Coppola left those two scenes there is no way there could have been bad blood between Willard and the crew, specially the two African Americans.

[@nathansyoutubeaccount]

Bad take, Kilgore wasn’t tough as nails he was an arrogant cowboy. Kurtz would’ve chewed him up and spat his BBQ and beer ass out. This just further cemented his psychotic nature established making them surf under fire. The men taking advantage of the women is bleak and disgusting display of just how evil and descended the men have become. It’s making the characters gray

[@BIZARBIES]

Never get off the boat.

[@stevenaarhus8850]

Unless you're going all the way.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

it woke up and ate 4 chickens and a ten pound roast

[@jimurrata6785]

Don't worry about the stupid puritanism. It gives me another opportunity to click the like button on a great upload. 👍

[@SP-cp3qu]

n1

[@tysonatkins2236]

Too bad they killed the tiger, instead of releasing it into the wild. Humans disgust me.

[@carlosaugustodinizgarcia3526]

The tiger killed a person.

[@johnpick8336]

Is Functional Autism an essential part of being a Director?

[@BirdDawg1]

Too bad that tiger didn't kill a few. An absolute shame what was done to that animal just for a second on screen. We will get ours, eventually.

[@alitlweird]

This movie taught me to never get off the boat. 🚤 🐅

[@TheJamesdaykin]

❤