“Filming Apocalypse Now was so physically, mentally, and financially exhausting that Francis Ford Coppola had numerous breakdowns on the Philippines set in 1976. Dennis Hopper’s drug use, Martin Sheen’s binge-drinking, and Marlon Brando refusing to learn his lines all contributed to the chaos.”

    by Worth-Boysenberry-93

    25 Comments

    1. Worth-Boysenberry-93 on

      “The making of Apocalypse Now is nearly as legendary as the film itself.

      Francis Ford Coppola set out to create a definitive Vietnam War epic, but what unfolded was a grueling, chaotic production that pushed cast and crew to their breaking points. Filming took place in the jungles of the Philippines in 1976, where tropical storms destroyed expensive sets, and the oppressive heat compounded tensions. Coppola invested millions of his own money to keep the project alive, all while battling anxiety and depression.

      The cast was equally plagued by turmoil. Dennis Hopper’s drug use caused constant delays, Martin Sheen suffered a near-fatal heart attack brought on by stress and alcohol, and Marlon Brando showed up overweight and unprepared, refusing to memorize his dialogue. Coppola was forced to rewrite entire scenes around Brando’s improvisations. At one point, Coppola even admitted he thought the movie might never be finished.

      Fun Fact: The behind-the-scenes chaos was so extraordinary it inspired its own documentary, Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse
      (1991), which many film fans consider just as compelling as the movie itself.”

      Source: historyfeels from IG

    2. A show or film about the making of Apocalypse Now would be great. Similar to “The Offer” for Godfather

    3. Maximum_Internet93 on

      Just saw the Charlie Sheen documentary where they featured some behind the scenes footage of apocalypse now where Martin Sheen was going through it! It was so traumatic for Charlie as a child to be on set of this chaotic production, i believe THIS expérience was what got him to use and to develop the self destructive pattern he. It was intense!

    4. thescreamingstone on

      A lot of movies made in that time had that problem with rampant partying while filming. The not learning the lines is just ego which we’ve always had

    5. Constant_Air9693 on

      Even the watch worn by Martin Sheen, Seiko 6105 “Willard”, became legendary thanks to this movie.

    6. Fun fact: Marlon Brando was also supposed to become ripped by when it came time to film his roles at the end of the movie. Instead of exercising like he said he would, he spent it drinking and eating at bars and restaurants in the Philippines resulting in an even fatter version than before.

      However, given his characters’ age and time missing in the plot, I think a heavier Brando is more fitting for the role.

      Also, during the scenes when they were tripping on Acid/LSD, they actually were tripping on those substances, and all the weed usage you see is real.

      This was also before OSHA was a thing. So during the attack sequences, actual C4 explosives were used to blow up trees, buildings, bridges, cars, etc. The M16’s and AK’s were all real too, firing actual blanks. So people did get hit with shrapnel and hearing damage, most likely. Countless drums filled with highly flammable fuel were used for the napalm scene as well.

    7. What was both hilarious (and maddeningly frustrating for Coppola) were when the Phillipine Army helicopters would be randomly recalled, with no warning, to actually go and fight an insurgent rebel group.

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