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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Play trailer Poster for Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse R 1991 1h 36m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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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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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 07/09/2025
5/5
It’s the unashamed honesty that makes it a lid-lifter. Go to Full Review Zachary Barnes Wall Street Journal 07/07/2025
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 07/02/2025
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 08/09/2025
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

Audience Reviews

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RedApple A @RT71152999 May 19 Shit... Every second of this fueled my passion to become a director, a critic—or simply anyone who survives cinema. See more Kyle M @RT77296778 Apr 16 Best to watch this shortly after "Apocalypse Now" as this documented coverage unveils many hardships and conditions that barely clarify up towards their mythical levels but rather complements the feature like any featurette deepening the culminated entertainment value with the insights being just as mesmerizing as the chaotic sceneries. (B+) See more Kris C. J @RT88845098 07/05/2025 Probably the greatest "making of" doc of all time and a cautionary tale to up and coming filmmakers. See more Stephen C @bob25009 06/30/2025 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 Read all reviews
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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Cast & Crew

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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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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) View more photos

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
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
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