Apocalypse Now is one of the most iconic films of all time, and its production story is equally as epic. In 1990, Francis Ford Coppola’s wife Eleanor Coppola turned over her footage from behind the scenes of the movie to two filmmakers, George Hickenlooper and Fax Bahr, who then proceeded to interview the cast and crew and intercut it with Eleanor’s pre-existing material. The resulting documentary was premiered at Cannes in 1991 to universal critical acclaim.
Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier chronicles the chaotic journey that was the making of this classic film. Drawing from Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad’s novella that serves as source material for Apocalypse Now, this documentary goes behind-the-scenes to show how production issues – such as bad weather, actors’ health issues and more – resulted in delays and cost increases that nearly destroyed Coppola’s career and life.
This documentary is a must-watch for any lover of classic films or those interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding popular works. Viewers will gain insight into how certain factors can affect film production and get a better understanding of how projects evolve over time. With great narration by Eleanor Coppola herself, Apocalypse Now: The Complete Dossier is an essential piece of cinema history that is sure to engage anyone curious about what went into making one of the greatest movies ever made.
