Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
Plots(1)
Francis Ford Coppola began to film Apocalypse Now in February 1976. After 238 days in the jungle, filming was complete and millions of dollars had been spent (Marlon Brando was on set for three weeks at a million dollars a week). Actors had been replaced (Harvey Keitel by Martin Sheen). They had all gone a bit insane (according to Coppola) and the whole thing was documented on film by his wife, Eleanor. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (3)
An in-depth insight into one of the most terrifying and also the most impressive movie projects ever. In those days, creating a movie wasn’t just art but horror too. The horror that was reflected in Apocalypse Now. - Phosphorous and napalm provoke no fear at all, but looking into the twisted mind that hides under the surface of all human beings and saying: “I accept you. In fact, I love you, because you are part of me. You are an extensive of myself." -What?
()
Every fan knows that Apocalypse Now was not an easy ride. The problems posed by the already pretentious and demanding philosophical insight of the subject matter were accentuated by the natural conditions, the civil war raging near the filming locations, Marlon Brando's antics, Martin Sheen's heart attack and, above all, the unyielding personality of Coppola, who went through his own cinematic and mental apocalypse during the 238-day shoot. The documentary excellently captures all the aforementioned aspects and is enlivened by the personal approach of the main narrator, Coppola's wife Eleonor, who watched her husband's fall to the brink of despair and constant doubt on a daily basis from the front row, thus contributing to the overwhelming authenticity of the entire project, which is still the most eloquent study of the dictatorial as well as dozens of external and internal factors of the director's craft. And since Apocalypse Now is one of the best films of all time, the documentary's narrative value is automatically doubled.
()
Beautiful example of how when something great is to be created, sacrifices need to be made for it. Not only did Francis Ford Coppola go through incredible obstacles in this case, he took a great risk, but everyone who worked with him on the film and endured the long filming deserves applause. The work they brought to life is worth it. Just like this documentary about its filming.
()