Dark Documentary

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)
Directed by Fax Bahr, George Hickenlooper, Eleanor Coppola
Cinematography by Larry Carney, Shana Hagan, Igor Meglic, Steven Wacks

    Hearts of Darkness is an interview and direct-cinema documentary. A lot of the footage was shot while Apocalypse Now was being shot but is interspersed with interviews behind the scenes, both filmed at the time and after the film’s release. Eleanor Coppola filmed footage for the documentary as her husband was directing Apocalypse; she even taped conversations between herself and her husband about the film without his knowledge. Both then and later he was interviewed for the documentary, but he did not interfere in the direction it took. This film is also enhanced with revealing behind the scene interviews with cast and crew such as George Lucas (who was originally set to direct Apocalypse), John Milius (who co-wrote the screenplay), and Martin Sheen (who starred as Willard).

    Hearts follows a narrative form, explaining to the viewer the steps in the process of getting the book Hearts of Darkness into script form, finding financial backing from a studio, and what it took to film Apocalypse Now on location. Eleanor Coppola’s narration provides insight into her husband’s life as she shares what he went through emotionally as a result of the difficulties he experienced while directing the film.

    As a fan of “Making of” documentaries and special features on DVDs I didn’t learn much about the logistics of making a film while watching this one. I have yet to watch Apocalypse Now but I think that the insight this documentary provides will be in the forefront of my mind when I finally do. Hearts of Darkness emphasizes the emotional and spiritual journey of a cast and crew in a way that is rare in Hollywood. I think that it sheds light on the way the film industry works and its weaknesses. The documentary also makes it clear that sometimes the director isn’t really in charge and that it can be nearly impossible to finish something, not for lack of trying, but because it is simply out of one’s hands.