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

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Directors:

Fax Bahr
George Hickenlooper

Writers:

Fax Bahr (writer)
George Hickenlooper (writer)

Release Date:

27 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Tagline:

The magic and madness of making "Apocalypse Now"

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Francis Ford Coppola | Making Of | Actor | Video | 1960s

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Rona Barrett	...	Herself (archive footage)
Sam Bottoms	...	Himself
Marlon Brando	...	Himself
Colleen Camp	...	Herself
Doug Claybourne	...	Himself
Eleanor Coppola	...	Herself
Francis Ford Coppola	...	Himself
Gia Coppola	...	Herself
Roman Coppola	...	Himself
Sofia Coppola	...	Herself
Monty Cox	...	Himself
Robert De Niro	...	Himself
Robert Duvall	...	Himself
Laurence Fishburne	...	Himself
Harrison Ford	...	Himself
Frederic Forrest	...	Himself
Albert Hall	...	Himself
Dennis Hopper	...	Himself
George Lucas	...	Himself
John Milius	...	Himself
Fred Roos	...	Himself
Martin Sheen	...	Himself
Tom Snyder	...	Himself (archive footage)
G.D. Spradlin	...	Himself
Tom Sternberg	...	Himself
Vittorio Storaro	...	Himself
Dean Tavoularis	...	Himself

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | Australia:M | USA:R | UK:15

Company:

American Zoetrope

Trivia:

Francis Ford Coppola initially had no desire to release Hearts of Darkness on DVD, due to him disagreeing with the way he is depicted in the documentary. It was finally released on DVD in late 2007, albeit with an optional Coppola commentary track that clears many things up.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Marlon Brando: I swallowed a bug.

Movie Connections:

References Citizen Kane (1941)

Travel deep inside the mind of Coppola & the craft of filmmaking

How lucky can a master filmmaker get when the tide is against you smacking you & your new movie deliberately in the face? Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola certainly knows. This documentary, probably one of the most fascinating & insightful examinations into the craft of filmmaking and the creation of art, chronicles Coppola's three year odyssey filming the surreal Vietnam War epic "Apocalypse Now". Directed & narrated by his wife Eleanor, who accompanied her husband throughout the entire shooting of the film, this is THE most splendid "making-of" documentary I've ever seen. The finished version of "Apocalypse Now" that we've come to know is a strange, mystical journey - which probably evolved out of Coppola's own bizarre experiences while making the film.

Most of these strange occurrences on the set of "Apocalypse Now" served to hinder the completion of the film. The fact that such a brilliant film was even salvaged from the wreckage that was Coppola's life at the time is a miracle, but the film also serves as a testament to the genius of Coppola that was already established with the massive success of the first two "Godfather" films. Plagued by constant typhoons, a mercurial Marlon Brando, an unreliable Phillipine army, a cast of actors whacked out on drugs & alcohol (especially the maniacal Dennis Hopper), endless financial woes, and Coppola's own self-doubt & inner demons ("I don't have the movie yet!"), there is no surprise in the eventual photo shown of an exhausted Coppola standing on the set of his film in a damp raincoat, pointing a revolver at his own head. This may be an experience other directors have experienced (many David Lean films were logistical nightmares), but how many directors can testify to enduring these types of repeated misadventures for three years, and still manage to find the light at the end of the tunnel?

The entire cast is interviewed (years afterward) about the making of the film - except, of course, for Marlon Brando (Larry Fishburne doesn't get much screen time in the documentary, but his character was relatively small anyway). Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper, and Frederic Forrest provide the most insight. Sheen & Hopper seem particularly direct at disclosing the grim nature of their excessive drinking at the time. Actors Robert Duvall, Sam Bottoms, Albert Hall, co-screenwriter John Milius, and the Coppolas themselves also reflect back on the construction of the film. The film is loaded with deleted scenes, extended takes, and much behind-the-scenes footage (Coppola angrily berates a stoned Dennis Hopper for forgetting his lines). Eleanor Coppola must really love her husband, because it takes a strong person to document - on film, nonetheless - three years worth of strife & turmoil as you watch your spouse in their craft, fearful they are creating the genesis of their own demise as an artist. A powerful, absorbing documentary on the creation of one of the greatest films ever made.