Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

R

Released Nov 27, 1991

1h 36m

Documentary

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100%

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28 Reviews

94%

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5,000+ Ratings

In the late 1970s, as renegade filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola struggles to complete an epic allegory of the Vietnam War, "Apocalypse Now," his wife, Eleanor, films his daily travails with a camera of her own. The documentary based on her footage details the difficulties of the large production -- from weather-related delays in the Philippines to star Martin Sheen's heart attack while filming -- and it provides unprecedented behind-the-scenes clips of one of Hollywood's most-acclaimed films.

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Critics Consensus

Chronicling the filming of Apocalypse Now through Eleanor Coppola's empathetic and frank point of view, Hearts of Darkness is a revelatory investigation of moviemaking and how creative obsession can impact an artist's family.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The time has come to acknowledge Eleanor Coppola’s magnificent achievement here as first among equals of the credited directors.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 2, 2025

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A

Sep 7, 2011

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A fascinating 1991 postmortem on the making of Francis Coppola's Apocalypse Now.

Nov 19, 2007

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Michael Clark

Epoch Times

If there ever was a true “tortured artist” it would be Mr. Coppola between the years of 1976 and 1979. His is one of the greatest filmmaking accomplishments in the history of cinema, and his wife’s tribute to him is equally as inspirational and uplifting.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 12, 2023

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The documentary isn't assembled with the steadiest of hands, but it's difficult not to be enthralled by what shaped one of the most remarkable of all war movies.

Rated: 6/10

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

Luis Fernando Galván

En Filme

A fascinating, vivid and complex portrait of an obsessed artist. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2020

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/30/25

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Kenneth L

Fascinating documentary about an epic film. A must-see for any fan of Apocalypse Now.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/30/24

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Larry S

The reason for the failure of this film is that a series of superhero films are produced and destroy the cinema industry.The directors are right in saying that superhero movies are destroying the movie industry. Other movies that Hollywood makes are slowly disappearing and ridiculous superhero movies are taking their place. It must be prevented before it is too late

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/07/24

Full Review

Ben W

No option to delete. Just put stars in middle, sorry. 14th Sept 2024ce.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/14/24

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Mr M

I'm so glad this was included with the 2019 final cut blu ray or I may had missed it. An unbelievable documentary, never seen anything like it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/02/25

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Andy B

A riveting documentary that makes a great companion piece for the actual film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

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Fax Bahr

Director

Eleanor Coppola

Director

George Hickenlooper

Director

Sam Bottoms

Actor

Marlon Brando

Actor

Colleen Camp

Actor

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Synopsis

In the late 1970s, as renegade filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola struggles to complete an epic allegory of the Vietnam War, "Apocalypse Now," his wife, Eleanor, films his daily travails with a camera of her own. The documentary based on her footage details the difficulties of the large production -- from weather-related delays in the Philippines to star Martin Sheen's heart attack while filming -- and it provides unprecedented behind-the-scenes clips of one of Hollywood's most-acclaimed films.

Director: Fax Bahr, Eleanor Coppola, George Hickenlooper
Producer: George Zaloom, Les Mayfield
Screenwriter: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper
Production Co: American Zoetrope, Zaloom Mayfield Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 27, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2016
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

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