1975
Captain Willard is dispatched on a top-secret mission to terminate Colonel Kurtz, a decorated officer who has gone rogue and established a cult-like kingdom in the Cambodian jungle. As Willard and his crew journey upriver, they encounter escalating madness, including Colonel Kilgore's surfing air cavalry and a surreal stop at a French plantation, while the mission's perils lead to crew deaths and Willard's growing obsession. Upon reaching Kurtz's compound, Willard confronts the enigmatic Colonel, who has embraced a brutal, primal philosophy, and witnesses the horrific realities of his domain. Willard ultimately assassinates Kurtz, fulfilling his mission, and takes the dying Colonel onto the P.B.R. as they are rescued amidst a massive battle and airstrike at the outpost.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Captain Willard is tasked with terminating the rogue Colonel Kurtz and journeys upriver through escalating violence and moral decay.
Open full beat sheetB.L. Willard is listed as Protagonist, Captain of the Airborne. A battle-hardened, cynical Captain assigned to terminate Colonel Kurtz. In the parsed data, B.L. Willard is connected to 32 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
32 scenes / 6 dialogue linesLance Johnson is listed as Gunner's Mate Third Class. A young, surfer-turned-soldier on the P.B.R. crew. In the parsed data, Lance Johnson is connected to 21 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
21 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJ. Hicks is listed as Gunner's Mate Third Class. A former saucier from New Orleans serving on the P.B.R. In the parsed data, J. Hicks is connected to 18 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
18 scenes / 4 dialogue linesPhillips is listed as P.B.R. Chief. The commander of the patrol boat, responsible for the crew. In the parsed data, Phillips is connected to 17 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
17 scenes / 1 dialogue linesT. Miller is listed as Radio Operator Second Class. A young crew member on the P.B.R. In the parsed data, T. Miller is connected to 14 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
14 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWilliam Kilgore is listed as Colonel, 1st Air Cavalry. A surfing-obsessed, aggressive Colonel who leads air assaults with Wagner playing. In the parsed data, William Kilgore is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesWalter Kurtz is listed as Antagonist, Special Forces Colonel. A brilliant, highly decorated officer who has gone rogue and established his own cult-like kingdom in the jungle. In the parsed data, Walter Kurtz is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue linesGaston de Marais is listed as Plantation Owner. A French plantation owner living in the jungle. In the parsed data, Gaston de Marais is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 20.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesColby is listed as Special Forces Officer. Kurtz's executive officer who has succumbed to the jungle's influence. In the parsed data, Colby is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesMoonby is listed as Deserter. An Australian deserter who has become a disciple of Kurtz. In the parsed data, Moonby is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 29.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA surreal, violent ambush in the jungle where American soldiers, dressed in bizarre camouflage, attack Vietnamese soldiers.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksCharlie discusses the economy and war while Willard observes from the sidelines, reflecting on his own experiences.
B.L. WillardWillard meets an Infantry Captain in a bar and is subsequently approached by an intelligence operative.
B.L. WillardWillard is briefed by a Colonel and a Major about the mission to terminate Colonel Kurtz.
B.L. Willard, Walter KurtzWillard and the P.B.R. crew arrive at a staging area and witness a USO show.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksWillard meets Colonel Kilgore after an air strike on a village.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Phillips, Lance JohnsonKilgore marks V.C. corpses with playing cards and meets Lance, a fellow surfer.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Lance JohnsonWillard discusses his mission with Kilgore while Kilgore obsesses over surfing.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. MillerThe air cavalry launches an assault on a coastal village while playing Wagner.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Lance JohnsonKilgore forces his men to surf while the battle continues.
B.L. Willard, William Kilgore, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksWillard and Chef search for mangoes in the jungle.
B.L. Willard, J. HicksWillard and Chef stalk a target in the jungle, only to be attacked by a tiger.
B.L. Willard, J. HicksChef returns to the boat in a panic, claiming he was attacked by a tiger.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksWillard reflects on his mission and Kurtz.
B.L. WillardThe crew travels upriver while Willard reads Kurtz's dossier.
B.L. Willard, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksWillard visits a medical evacuation center and negotiates with a Hollywood Agent.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksThe boat arrives at the besieged Do Lung Bridge.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksThe boat enters a tributary and is ambushed; Clean is killed.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksThe crew disposes of Clean's body and spots a light in the jungle.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, J. HicksThe crew meets Gaston de Marais and his men.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance Johnson, J. Hicks, Gaston de MaraisThe P.B.R. crew arrives at a French plantation and is confronted by Gaston and his armed family.
Phillips, J. Hicks, Gaston de Marais, B.L. Willard, Lance Johnson, T. MillerThe crew cleans up in the old plantation shower.
Phillips, Lance Johnson, J. Hicks, T. MillerWillard reflects on the plantation's history while looking at an old photo album.
B.L. WillardThe crew and Willard dine with the De Marais family.
B.L. Willard, Gaston de Marais, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. Miller, J. HicksWillard and Roxanne share a moment of intimacy.
B.L. WillardWillard departs the plantation after secretly sabotaging the ammo supplies.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Gaston de MaraisThe P.B.R. crew discovers Willard's trickery with the ammo boxes.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, J. Hicks, T. MillerThe crew is attacked by natives with arrows; Chief is killed.
B.L. Willard, Phillips, Lance JohnsonThe crew arrives at Kurtz's camp and meets Moonby and Colby.
B.L. Willard, Moonby, Colby, Phillips, Lance Johnson, T. MillerWillard encounters Colby and Moonby at Kurtz's outpost, then meets Kurtz for the first time.
B.L. Willard, Walter Kurtz, Colby, MoonbyWillard, Chef, and Lance confront Kurtz; Chef is killed.
B.L. Willard, Walter Kurtz, J. Hicks, Lance Johnson, MoonbyA massive battle ensues at the outpost with an airstrike.
B.L. Willard, Walter Kurtz, Lance Johnson, ColbyWillard takes the dying Kurtz onto the P.B.R. and they are rescued.
B.L. Willard, Walter Kurtz, ColbyThey lined us all up in front of a hundred yards of prime rib -- magnificent meat, beautifully marbled.. Then they started throwing it in these big cauldrons, all of it -- boiling. I looked in, an' it was turning gray. I couldn't stand it. I went into radio school.
We endure, captain -- you can blow up the house and we will live in the cellar -- destroy that and we'll dig a hole in the jungle and sleep on it. Burn the forest and we'll hide in the swamp. all the while, we do but one thing -- clean the blood off our bayonets.
I am -- I'm Captain B.L. Willard. This is Chief Warrant Officer Phillips -- it's his boat. We were shot up bad downriver and need repairs and food -- we can pay you in gold.
Oh, you don't talk to Colonel Kurtz. You listen to him. God, these are good. I kept these people off you, you know. It wasn't easy.
Yeah -- Na Trang told me to expect you -- we'll see what we can do. Just stay out of my way till this is done, Captain.
It's an honor to meet you Lance. I've admired your nose-riding for years -- I like your cutback, too.
I'm a real chef, sir -- I'm a sauciere -- I come from New Orleans -- I was raised to be a sauciere.
Colby. Exec. officer, A-Team... Special Forces. F-82 -- Col. Walter Kurtz, commanding.
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