'Greatest' war film ever made on Channel 4 tonight - The Mirror

Epic drama is 'visually stunning' with 'excellent performances from the likes of Marlon Brando and Martin Sheen

One of the most famous war movies in history is showing on Channel 4 tonight (Saturday), with many fans ranking it as the 'greatest' combat films ever made.

Apocalypse Now, released in 1979, is loosely based on Joseph Conrad's book Heart of Darkness. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the film features an all-star cast that includes Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Harrison Ford, and Dennis Hopper.

Viewers are presented with the destruction and devastation of the Vietnam War, as Captain Willard (Sheen) embarks on a treacherous journey upriver to find and kill Colonel Kurtz (Brando), a once-promising officer who has reportedly gone completely mad in the field.

The film has long been considered a landmark in the history of celluloid, with viewers claiming it "draws you in the moment the first scene opens".

It commands an impressive score on film ratings website Rotten Tomatoes, where it's rated 90% on the Tomatometer.

One five-star review wrote: "The greatest Vietnam film of them all. The helicopter scene WOW!!!! The end scene WOW!!! 10/10 five stars."

Another added: "Apocalypse Now is a film that draws you in the moment the first scene opens with the burning jungle and the music of The End by The Doors. Director Coppola shows the craziness of war through the journey of Captain Willard and the cinematography is brilliant. Everything seems heavy as the helicopter attack plays Ride of the Valkyries to Kurtz's eventual fate.

"The cinematography and sound make you feel it was real and like you were there. 4.5 stars for the raw emotion, brilliant visuals, and the way it depicts the madness of war."

"This movie will pull you from reality and set you in the dark despair that is war," said a third. "A true physiological thriller to leave you on edge and an almost uncomfortable reality of the effects of mortal combat."

Another posted: "Visually stunning, Excellent performances from Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall and Marlon Brando and an atmosphere of dread, confusion and insanity so thick you can feel it, Apocalypse Now is undoubtedly one of the greatest films of all time and a powerful look at what happens when we are stripped of our humanity."

Another shared: "A Must See!!! Terrific storyline and pacing, presenting you not only a war film… but showing the effects of what war can do to a human being. Another gem directed by Francis Ford Coppola, shows the horrors and the darkness of what war and chaos can create. A true milestone of its release and shows another side of the Vietnam War."

One film fan even pushed for multiple viewings as they wrote: "Gotta watch it multiple times to catch everything, but there are many scenes that just stick with you. A top-three Vietnam movie."

"Is it overlong? Yes. Is it overblown? Yes. Is it an amazing piece of cinema? Also yes. There are so many levels to this movie that it begs for repeat viewings. Full of classic scenes, Apocalypse Now takes you on a journey that will haunt you," said another.

Apocalypse Now airs on Channel 4 at 11.50pm tonight (Saturday, December 20).