Retro Film Review: Heart of Darkness (1993)
The author of this review is among the heretics who don't think that Coppola's Apocalypse Now represents cinematic masterpiece. However, although Coppola's film has some other flaws, the greatest of them all is the disservice done to the legacy of James Conrad, great English writer who wrote Heart of Darkness, novel on which it is based. From that day, almost any filmmaker who tries to tackle that novel would have to face comparisons with Coppola's Vietnam film. However, in 1993, Turner Pictures decided to make television version of the novel, this time more faithful to the book.
The plot is, instead of Vietnam in 1960s, set in jungles of Central Africa in the second half of 19th Century. Greedy European colonisers are brutally exploiting the natural resources of Dark Continent, especially ivory. One of companies specialised in ivory trade hires Captain Marlowe (played by Tim Roth) for the dangerous mission deep in the heart of jungle, to the farthest trade station. His task is to find out why Kurz (John Malkovich), ivory merchant stationed there, doesn't send ivory any more. Some vicious rumours are describing Kurz as madman who turned into charismatic and bloodthirsty leader of the natives.
This film was directed by Nicolas Roeg, well-respected avant-garde director of the 1970s, and it was probably very wise decision, because Roeg's specific visual style was
required to make Heart of Darkness as different from Apocalypse as possible. Unfortunately, the script by Benedict Fitzgerald, although more faithful to the novel than Coppola’s film, still fails to avoid similarities. And Roeg's directing style is hardly the substitute for the lack of spectacle and sometimes it produces confusion for the viewers. The atmosphere of absolute horror in the heart of the jungle was well done, though. The acting is more than superb. Tim Roth is excellent in the role of Marlowe and John Malkovich is also great as Kurz, although nothing can top Brando's appearance in Apocalypse. More faithful to the novel, and deprived of Vietnam connotations, Heart of Darkness is more depressing, because of its pessimism, so universal for all ages and all dark corners of the world. Heart of Darkness is good film, but only those who didn't watch Coppola before could appreciate it fully.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on June 6th 1999)
==
Blog in Croatian https://draxblog.com
Blog in English https://draxreview.wordpress.com/
Cent profile https://beta.cent.co/@drax
Minds profile https://www.minds.com/drax_rp_nc
Brave browser: https://brave.com/dra011
BTC donations: 1EWxiMiP6iiG9rger3NuUSd6HByaxQWafG
ETH donations: 0xB305F144323b99e6f8b1d66f5D7DE78B498C32A7