The conflict between North Vietnam and South Vietnam with involvement of the United States escalates, setting the historical context for the film Apocalypse Now.
Principal photography starts for Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The filming process is notoriously long and troubled.
A typhoon destroys multiple film sets in the Philippines where Apocalypse Now is being shot, causing significant production delays.
The acclaimed actor Marlon Brando arrives late on set for filming his role in Apocalypse Now, adding to production challenges.
The war film Apocalypse Now is released, depicting the psychological and moral horrors of the Vietnam War.
Captain Benjamin Willard is briefed by his superiors about his mission to travel upriver into Cambodia to find and terminate Colonel Kurtz, who has gone rogue.
Willard arrives at the Navy installation in Vietnam where he boards a patrol boat to begin his journey upriver.
Willard and his crew travel upriver through dangerous territory encountering hostile forces and various war scenes.
Willard and his crew stop at a French colonial plantation where they meet a French plantation owner and his family, learning about the history of the region.
Willard's patrol boat passes through intense combat zones with US Air Cavalry operating, illustrating the chaos and madness of war.
The patrol boat is attacked by villagers, showing the complexity and devastation of the local conflict.
The patrol boat reaches a US military outpost commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore, known for his obsession with surfing even amid war.
Kilgore orders an attack on a Vietnamese-held beach to enable his surfing, demonstrating the surreal contrast of war and leisure.
Willard's patrol boat continues upriver deeper into Cambodia heading towards Colonel Kurtz's compound.
Willard observes a chaotic and surreal air attack by US forces featuring helicopters armed with rockets and chaos.
Willard and his crew finally reach Colonel Kurtz's remote base deep in the Cambodian jungle.
Willard meets the enigmatic and mentally complex Colonel Kurtz who explains his philosophy and rebellion against military command.
Willard fulfills his mission by killing Colonel Kurtz at his request, concluding the operation.
In the aftermath, Willard contemplates the darkness of war and human nature as he prepares to leave the compound.
