Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

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Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

R

1991

1h 36m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

100%

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35 Reviews

94%

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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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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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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jul 9, 2025

5/5

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

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Zachary Barnes

Wall Street Journal

Jul 7, 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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jul 2, 2025

5/5

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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Jan 26, 2026

3.5/4

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

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Dec 12, 2025

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.

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Jess Saunders

MovieJawn

Aug 9, 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.

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RedApple A

@RT71152999 May 19, 2026

Shit... Every second of this fueled my passion to become a director, a critic—or simply anyone who survives cinema.

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Kyle M

@RT77296778 Apr 16, 2026

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+)

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Kris C. J

@RT88845098 Jul 5, 2025

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

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Kenneth L

@RT28484096 Nov 30, 2024

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

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Larry S

@RT96952458 Oct 6, 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

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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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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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