Scene of the Week: Smells Like Victory
Robert Duvall is one bad man. This Academy Award winning actor has been in countless unforgettable movies playing unforgettable characters. Tom Hagen anyone? But for me, Lt. Col. Kilgore is not only my favorite Robert Duvall role (slightly ahead of Harry Hoge in Days of Thunder and the consigliere in the first two The Godfather movies) but he also provides the best scenes in the Vietnam War classic Apocalypse Now. Ride of the Valkyries Psy War Ops anyone?
Kilgore is commander of a cavalry squadron and noted surfing enthusiast. He is a no nonsense individual that does not let a war or its casualties get in the way of love of surfing and Kilgore also happens to be excellent with children. In order to take the mouth of the river which has particularly good surfing conditions, Kilgore orders a napalm strike and we are treated to one of the best explosions ever on film followed by one of the most memorable quotes. Robert Duvall is one bad man. #NiceHat
