Apocalypse Now: Kilgore and helicopter attack scene

the helicopter scene begins with 'Ride of the Valkyries' - a non-diagetic sound used effectively to highlight the immensity of the scene. A squadron of helicopters with soldiers in them wearing expressions of such purpose fly towards a Vietnamese village, which is shown to us in the next cut. The music cuts out as we are shown a peaceful school with children singing and playing. This cut spotlights the ironies that accompanied the Vietnam War in particular and western culture and imperialism in general.  They are strangers in a strange land, yet they act as if they own it, staking out territory and firing without provocation. The scene is not a battle, it is a one - sided attack. 'Ride of the Valkyries' playing each time we see the helicopters emphasises this. Coppola clearly depicts the death and destruction that result directly from US intervention. Instead of helping innocent civilians, American troops kill them.

In the arriving at the beach scene, Kilgore barely notices anything around him, including explosions metres away from him. The difference in his body language and the way he carries himself compared to the other soldiers presents his ridiculous arrogance. The other soldiers are crouched down, some of them have their hands over their heads, yet Kilgore stands upright with exaggerated posture, suggesting so much about his character - he is seemingly invulnerable.  The low angle shot of Kilgore as he holds his gun shows his level of confidence. He also wears a big ring emphasising his eccentric personality. Coppola purposefully exaggerates his characteristics to symbolise the American military.

He then rips off his shirt as if he is relaxed and at ease, in the middle of a war-zone. In the face of danger, Kilgore is dominating and unflinching. He delivers the line "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." after ordering an air strike. This chilling quotation adds to the uncanny and invulnerable quality of Kilgore's character while signifying the far-reaching effect war has on his mentality.