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.

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Plot Keywords:

making of | actor | philippines | fired from the job | vietnam war | 

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Taglines:

The magic and madness of making "Apocalypse Now"

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Genres:

Documentary

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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

Feature directorial debut for Fax Bahr and George Hickenlooper.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

Eleanor Coppola: The film Francis is making is a metaphor for a journey into self. He has made that journey and is still making it. It's scary to watch someone you love go into the center of himself and confront his fears, fear of failure, fear of death, fear of going insane. You have to fail a little, die a little, go insane a little, to come out the other side. The process is not over for Francis.

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Connections

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Soundtracks

"The Ride of the Valkyries"
by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

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.