Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)

Documentary that chronicles how Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now was plagued by extraordinary script, shooting, budget, and casting problems--nearly destroying the life and career of the celebrated director.

Directors:

Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper,

Writers:

Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper

Stars:

George Lucas, Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Francis Ford Coppola	...	Himself (as Francis Coppola)
Eleanor Coppola	...	Herself
Orson Welles	...	Himself - from 1938 radio broadcast (voice) (archive footage)
John Milius	...	Himself
George Lucas	...	Himself
Tom Sternberg	...	Himself
Sam Bottoms	...	Himself
Albert Hall	...	Himself
Frederic Forrest	...	Himself (as Fred Forrest)
Laurence Fishburne	...	Himself (as Larry Fishburne)
Gia Coppola	...	Herself (as Gia)
Roman Coppola	...	Himself (as Roman)
Sofia Coppola	...	Herself (as Sofia)
Dean Tavoularis	...	Himself
Fred Roos	...	Himself

Storyline

Documents the sensational events surrounding the making of 'Apocalypse Now' and Francis Ford Coppola's struggle with nature, governments, actors, and self-doubt. Includes footage and sound secretly recorded by Elanor Coppola, wife of Francis.

---

Plot Keywords:

actor | making of | interview | video | 1970s | 

---

Taglines:

The magic and madness of making "Apocalypse Now"

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 1991 (UK)

Also Known As:

Aux coeurs des ténèbres - l'apocalypse d'un metteur en scène

Box Office

Gross:

$1,318,449 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Zoetrope, Cineplex-Odeon Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Francis Ford Coppola initially had no desire to release the documentary on DVD, due to him disagreeing with the way he is depicted. It was finally released on DVD in 2007, albeit with an optional Coppola commentary track that clears many things up. In 2010, it was even released in the "Full Disclosure" Blu-ray edition of Apocalypse Now.

---

Goofs

In the end credits for musical listings under the Doors song The End, Elektra (Records) is misspelled (as "Electra.")

---

Quotes

Francis Ford Coppola: There were too many of us, we had access to too much equipment, too much money, and little by little we went insane.

---

Connections

Featured in Away (1996)

---

Soundtracks

"Son Andati"
by Giacomo Puccini

User Reviews

Maybe the best behind-the-scenes documentary ever made.

I agree with the most positive reviews of this film. It's probably THE best documentary about the making of a movie, about the emotions and tensions behind the scenes, about the psychic terror of a director/creator trying desperately to not merely hold on to his artistic dream, but to survive! A must-see for any cinemaphile, and every Coppola enthusiast.