Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

1991Movie96 minEnglish

A chronicle of the production problems — including bad weather, actors' health, war near the filming locations, and more — which plagued the filming of Apocalypse Now, increasing costs and nearly destroying the life and career of Francis Ford Coppola.

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IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes96%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users92%
Director: Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor CoppolaGenres: Documentary, Biography

Plot Summary

This documentary offers an intimate and unflinching look at the tumultuous production of Francis Ford Coppola's epic film 'Apocalypse Now'. It chronicles the immense challenges faced in the Philippines, including devastating typhoons, a military coup, and the personal struggles of the cast and crew. The film delves into Coppola's obsessive drive and the creative, financial, and personal toll the demanding project took on everyone involved.

Critical Reception

Hearts of Darkness was widely acclaimed by critics for its candid and often harrowing portrayal of filmmaking under extreme duress. It is regarded as one of the definitive 'making-of' documentaries, praised for its honesty, insight into the creative process, and its examination of the human cost of ambitious artistic endeavors. Audiences were equally captivated by the raw and revealing nature of the documentary.

What Reviewers Say

  • A gripping and often terrifying look at the making of a cinematic masterpiece.
  • Provides unparalleled insight into the creative process and its immense challenges.
  • Hailed for its raw honesty and unflinching portrayal of artistic obsession.

Google audience: Viewers found the documentary to be a fascinating and eye-opening account of the 'Apocalypse Now' production, highlighting its honesty about the difficulties and pressures involved. Many appreciated the deep dive into Francis Ford Coppola's vision and the impact the film had on him and his crew.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Programming.

Fun Fact

Eleanor Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola's wife, originally began filming to document the daily life of her family during the prolonged shoot, but her footage evolved into the comprehensive documentary of the 'Apocalypse Now' production.

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TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

***Outstanding documentary on the making of the hallowed "Apocalypse Now"*** Released in 1991, "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse" chronicles the making of 1979's "Apocalypse Now," combining footage shot by Eleanor Coppola dur...
CRCulver

CRCulver

Francis Ford Coppola's film <i>Apocalypse Now</i> was one of the most infamously troubled productions in the history of Hollywood, so resonating in collective memory that it can still be parodied in new-millennium like <i>Tropic Thunder</i>...