Oscars: 10 Films That Should Have Won Best Picture (But Didn't)

The horror… the horror… the horror that Apocalypse, Now did not nab this accolade is almost as manic as Colonel Kurtz himself. Francis Ford Coppola’s much revered war classic – loosely adapted the Heart of Darkness novella – introduced a young Lawrence Fishburne, an explosive and musical helicopter attack, iconic quotes and a haunting depiction of the Vietnam War.

Director Francis Ford Coppola brought a host of impressive large-scale scenes, reaching beyond the extensive air-bound assault, but it is his focus on character psychology that makes Apocalypse Now stick in the mind. Martin Sheen brought a vulnerability to his character, Willard who is thrust into hostile environments and aggressive relationships as he slowly makes his way to his target – the fruit-loop, rogue Colonel – all the while questioning his own mentality.

Alas Apocalypse Now lost out to Kramer vs. Kramer and Coppola missed out on his last true and deserving shot at a Best Picture win (No, Godfather Part III doesn’t deserve it.). Yet his trippy imagining of the Vietnam War will live on – especially since the films has been consistently re-edited and re-released up until as recent as last year.