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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Play trailer Poster for Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse R Released Nov 27, 1991 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 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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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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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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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) It’s the unashamed honesty that makes it a lid-lifter. Rated: 5/5 Jul 9, 2025 Full Review Zachary Barnes Wall Street Journal Ms. Coppola, asked by her husband to film the production for publicity purposes, observes and narrates all of this with a matter-of-factness that keeps “Hearts of Darkness” from slipping into gasping cinephilic reverence. Jul 7, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review Kent Hill Film Threat Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse is simply the immaculate companion piece to a masterclass in photographic opulence of a kind that may never grace our screens again. Rated: 10/10 Jul 7, 2025 Full Review Armond White National Review Hearts of Darkness helps us understand the complications that Vietnam evokes in American consciousness, complexities that other filmmakers of Coppola’s generation eventually got right. Jul 7, 2025 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Kris C. J Probably the greatest "making of" doc of all time and a cautionary tale to up and coming filmmakers. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Stephen C Real footage in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/25 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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Movie Info

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
Box Office (Gross USA)
$7.6K
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround
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