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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 27 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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Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: A Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader A fascinating 1991 postmortem on the making of Francis Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Nov 19, 2007 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out At once anecdotal and revealing, this excellent film both illuminates the catastrophes that beset one particular project, and shows, by way of comparison, exactly what American film has foregone since the '70s. Feb 9, 2006 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 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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 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 Andy B A riveting documentary that makes a great companion piece for the actual film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review Rami A The making of a film has never been presented more beautifully than in Hearts Of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/23 Full Review s r 1001 movies to see before you die. If you see Apocalypse Now and are not persuaded of its immensity, then watch this and you will then have it laid out for you. Coppola is so impressive in this and shows it through his reflections on the film being made, he truly is one of the best Directors ever. To take on the Philippines as a location to shoot made this epic. This documentary was well made. It was a STG DVD. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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Cast & Crew

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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
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 26, 2016
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Surround
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