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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33 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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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It’s the unashamed honesty that makes it a lid-lifter.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 9, 2025

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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

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Jess Saunders

MovieJawn

Similar to the lack of weight from a prequel whose ending the audience already knows, the documentary can never live up to its full promise of “A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse" when the viewer is keenly aware of the film’s eventual success.

Aug 9, 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

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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

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Stephen C

Real footage in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $56,500.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dark hearts are everywhere; my friends and family are included!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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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

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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

Full Review

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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
Box Office (Gross USA): $62.2K
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

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