The novel "Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad is the basis for Francis Ford Copola's film "Apocalypse Now." As a result, many of the film's features are very similar to those in the novel, in some cases to the extent that the characters share the same name. Willard, the army captain who travels into the intense jungles of Vietnam is fundamentally the same character as Marlow, who is sent deep into the heart of Africa in "Heart of Darkness." Although Marlow and Willard have differing backgrounds, motives, and mission objectives, both come to learn that even the greatest of men are susceptible to the evil that is freed from one's heart when they are allowed to rule themselves.

Marlow and Captain Willard are much more alike than they are different. To begin, both Marlow and Captain Willard distrust the respective people whom they receive their orders from. Marlow...