It’s worth noting that “Apocalypse Now,” based on the Joseph Conrad novel “Heart of Darkness,” was once only going to be produced by Coppola, with Lucas directing. Lucas dropped out of the project in the late 1960s, and Coppola took over, eager to make something that resembled Werner Herzog’s amazing 1972 release “Aguirre, the Wrath of God,” a film about 16th-century conquistadors dying in the jungle looking for El Dorado. Coppola’s version of “Heart of Darkness” was to be just as bleak, and tinged with just as much madness.
Shooting “Apocalypse Now,” however, was a massive trial. A typhoon hit the town in the Philippines where Coppola was shooting, causing production to shut down for a spell. The film’s star, Martin Sheen, famously suffered a breakdown on set, and had a heart attack that nearly killed him. What’s more, Marlon Brando arrived on set completely unprepared, causing delays. Coppola had to continue to raise funds for the film as it went further and further over budget. It ended up costing more than double its original price.
Recalling the time, Coppola said:
“Well, when your lead actor has a heart attack and no one knows if he is going to live or die, I would say that’s a very serious moment. But that was only one of a lot, and the bankruptcy was very difficult. We were faced with potentially losing the Napa property, which was such a beautiful and important property to me.”
Coppola owned a winery on that property that he founded in 1975. Coppola wines are still being made there to this day. It was important that he keep his business open.
This was when Lucas stepped in.
