We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Apocalypse Now Scene 3 Summary

Nice Résumé, but…

  • A helicopter flies over rice paddies as ominous music plays. Willard talks about the people he's killed so far—but this time, he has to kill an American officer, which makes a difference to him.
  • Willard says he doesn't know what he'll do when he finds Kurtz.
  • Willard gets off the helicopter and journeys on a Navy patrol boat down a river.
  • The crew are all young soldiers. Willard tells us about them as we see them: there's "Chef," a guy from New Orleans, a surfer dude named Lance, "Mr. Clean" from the South Bronx, and "Chief" who drives the boat.
  • Chief tells Willard about a soldier who committed suicide.
  • As they head down the river, they listen to the Rolling Stones on the army radio and Lance water-skis behind the boat. It's all mellow.
  • As they drive by, they splash some Vietnamese people who are knocked off their raft.
  • Willard talks about Kurtz's dossier—a really impressive resume. He's surprised they want him dead, he's got such a sterling record…well, before the whole going nuts thing happened.
  • Willard continues narrating, talking about how Kurtz wrote a report that displeased his superiors before joining the Special Forces.