The horror in all its glory

Director's cuts are usually the cinematographer's attempt to have the last word in a fight with the studio that cut his nine-hour tank and 'destroyed' his movie (ie made him a millionaire). Not here.

This 'redux' is quite brilliant, and at three hours 20 (ish) a perfect video/DVD treat. There's more napalm in the morning, more Playboy bunnies (perhaps too many), the restoration of the French plantation scenes and Brando comes out of his cave to waddle around in daylight. The horror. Coppola claims the film now has a different pacing and leads to a more satisfying conclusion. He's quite right. American critics voted this the film of 2001. They're quite right, too.

Verdict: Coppaload.