Sally Duff-Rudolf Otto

In Rudolf Otto’s book, The Idea of the Holy, he discusses the idea of the numinous.  The numinous is something that can only be experienced, he cannot be taught or explained, but can only be understood if it is explained.  Apocalypse Now is a good example of how film is numinous.  There are many scenes in the movie in which certain emotions are evoked, but difficult to explain.  In the opening scene, the viewer gets an idea of how crazed and mentally effected by the war Willard was.  When entering the village, the viewer gets and idea of mystery and fear at the same time.  This would be difficult to express in a book because in writing, one can either explain in great detail, increasing the fear, but would in effect decrease the mystery.  The film also addresses the idea of sacred and profane.  Many seemingly profane activities are turned into sacred ones in the movie.  An example of this is when Lance is dancing around the boat with the purple smoke.  There is nothing seemingly special about this moment, but it is spiritual for Lance.  His dance is a connecting point to the sacred for him.  It is a moment of intense peace and calm.  Everything is still and the boat pushes on.  However, this moment is abruptly interupted by the profane when bullets and bombs start peircing the air.