Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Play trailer

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

R

1991

1h 36m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

35 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jul 9

5/5

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

Go to Full Review

Zachary Barnes

Wall Street Journal

Jul 7

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.

Go to Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jul 2

5/5

The time has come to acknowledge Eleanor Coppola’s magnificent achievement here as first among equals of the credited directors.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 26

3.5/4

We get to watch Martin Sheen freak out, Dennis Hopper space out, and Marlon Brando attempt to bail out.

Go to Full Review

Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Dec 12

4.5/5

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse is a fascinating glimpse into the making of what many consider to be one of the greatest war films of all time. It remains one of the finest documentaries about filmmaking ever made.

Go to Full Review

Jess Saunders

MovieJawn

Aug 9

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Kris C. J

@RT88845098 Jul 5

Probably the greatest "making of" doc of all time and a cautionary tale to up and coming filmmakers.

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 30

Real footage in 1 hour and 36 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $63,800.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dark hearts are everywhere; my friends and family are included!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Kenneth L

@RT28484096 11/30/2024

Fascinating documentary about an epic film. A must-see for any fan of Apocalypse Now.

See more

Larry S

@RT96952458 10/06/2024

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

See more

Ben W

@Username618 07/03/2024

No option to delete. Just put stars in middle, sorry. 14th Sept 2024ce.

See more

Mr M

@Filmzy 05/31/2024

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.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Fax Bahr

Director

Eleanor Coppola

Director

George Hickenlooper

Director

Sam Bottoms

Actor

Marlon Brando

Actor

Colleen Camp

Actor

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

76%

76%

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years

Watchlist

The Big Bang

80%

42%

The Big Bang

Watchlist

Imagine: John Lennon

91%

91%

Imagine: John Lennon

Watchlist

Unzipped

76%

78%

Unzipped

Watchlist

Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer

100%

67%

Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

RT on DVD: Live Free or Hairspray This Thanksgiving

View more photos

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
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): $71.9K
Runtime: 1h 36m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now