Apocalypse Now Trivia

1. Harvey Keitel was originally cast by Francis Ford Coppola to portray Capt. Willard, but was replaced by Martin Sheen.

2. In the opening scene where a drunken Willard smashes a mirror in his hotel room, Martin Sheen had improvised the smashing and severly split open his thumb due to the fact that the glass was real. Despite Coppola wanted to cut, Sheen told the director that he wanted to keep filming.

3. The water buffalo that was slaughtered in the film was authentic as it was part of a tribal ritual that was witnessed by Coppola prior to filming the sequence.

4. Sam Bottoms admitted in Hearts of Darkness that he was on several drugs while filming.

5. Martin Sheen suffered a heart attack during filming and was unable to film for several weeks. Martin's brother, Joe Estevez, was hired to film pickup shots as principal photography continued until Sheen could return.

6. The original budget for the film was $16 million, but the final cost turned out to be about $32 Million.

7. In the documentary Hearts of Darkness, Francis Ford Coppola was heard on tape saying he was seriously thinking of shooting himself.

8. Francis Ford Coppola lost more than 100 pounds during filming.

9. Marlon Brando was paid $1 million in advance for his role in the film. Brando eventually turned up on set extremely late, severely overweight (+100kg), and apparently had not read the script or the book "Heart of Darkness". After days of arguments over single lines of dialogue, an ad-lib style script was agreed upon, and this was shot according to Brando's stipulations that he appears in shadows.

10. The original version of the film was to be directed by George Lucas and was actually considered being shot in Vietnam during the war.

Discussion

bs

I added the Ma Deuce as the Patrol boats carry two in the forward turret.

Although I say this often, eventually I'll try to grab this cheap somewhere or rent it, I remember a lot of Vietnam era weaponry in heavy use. Good movie really, but a little more bizzare than your typical war flick. - Gunmaster45

Aw, i want to screen cap this.-Oliveira 14:16, 21 April 2009 (UTC)

Predator20 is taking up the task under my guidance. - Gunmaster45

I won't have to touch up this page, won't I?-Oliveira 23:39, 27 July 2009 (UTC)

What is he doing? One gun at a time? -The Winchester

I'm doing one set of guns at a time. It's my first page I'm putting up by myself. The M16 will probably go last, too many to choose from. GM45, I'll do the text once all the images are loaded. Or you can write them as I load them.Predator20

Oh okay, I hadn't checked this yet. I'll wait until you're done. - Gunmaster45

My uncle Robert, who was a SEAL in 'Nam, said that this movie is as close as it gets to the real deal-S&Wshooter 19:11, 25 November 2009 (UTC)

I got my fair share of nitpicks when it comes to this movie. But the movie is great so I won't post it.--Oliveira 19:23, 25 November 2009 (UTC)

The caption for Colby (Scott Glenn) should be changed. It mentions him twice as Lt. but he was a Captain, as demonstrated by the captain's bars on his beret, and the narrative of Williard on the boat when he gets mail at the bridge.

If he's mentioned as a Captain by Williard it should be changed. I was going by IMDb which list him as Lt.--Predator20 19:46, 4 December 2009 (UTC)

The AK's

Those shots are the best ones I have. Are any of them any good to make a positive identification? Predator20

Done. You can tell by the front sights among other things that they are Norinco Type 56s. - Gunmaster45

How does the rest of the page look to you? - Predator20

I'm happy with it, it looks professional and completed. After being bugged about it several times, I disciplined myself to limit 8 screencaps per gun, but the 10 you put in some sections doesn't really seem too cumbersome. Good work, your first page is complete! I'll make the Year of the Dragon page so you can get started on that. - Gunmaster45

Thanks, I really happy with the way it turned out. Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I think since the scenery changes on the M16 pics it makes it not so cumbersome. The only thing that bugs me is the M16 list, there are too many of the same actor. I got some shots of Lance (Sam Bottoms) and Chief (Albert Hall) with M16's but the shots weren't good enough for the page. So I'm going to go back and see if I can get some better ones. I'll take a few of Willard's out. -Predator20~

You missed the Original M16s though.-Oliveira 13:46, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Oliveira, you're more than welcome to add any gun pics that need be to added or replace some of mine with better ones. Or you can tell me what scene has the original M16's and I'll see what I can do.-Predator20

The Hairy village scene. Kilgore mans a M16 in that one.-Oliveira 16:11, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Oliveira, This is the only scene I got of Kilgore with an M16.-Predator20

That's definately an M16 (SP1), you can see it doesn't have a forward assist ("slab-side"), so this would obviously go under a different category than the M16A1. BTW, I changed the M16 pics and added and removed one image, since the shot of Willard in the jungle wasn't as good as the shot of Willard giving up his M16A1. - Gunmaster45

I added two images. There is never any good shots of him with it though.- Predator20

I filled in the description and added an image to save you the trouble. The reason we call them M16 (SP1)'s is because they could either be military issue M16's fitted with A1 flashhiders or civilian issue AR-15 SP1's converted to full auto, depending on what the armorer had handy. - Gunmaster45

It looks like Kilgore's M16 has an SP1-style upper (no forward assist), but an A1 lower (there seems to be fencing around the magazine release). It's another Franken-gun. -MT2008

I missed that. I hate being sleep depraved. I'm just going to finish Se7en and get the hell to sleep. - Gunmaster45

It's not necessarily a "Franken-gun." Late model M16s used by the USAF (and USN) did have A1-style full fence lowers. These are also known as "Colt 604s." - Rhurst1945

MGC M16

After watching the movie again, in the scene where the PBR gets attacked right after Lance pops out a purple haze, there is a close up of two MGC M16s.--Oliveira 17:18, 26 September 2009 (UTC)

I think I know the scene you're talking about, they get shot up. Which makes sense to use replicas. I don't have a snap of them. I'll take one. I also found a better shot of Willard with his M16A1 when he meets the colonist, in my Apocalypse Now folder. -Predator20 17:44, 26 September 2009 (UTC)

Mock-up machine gun

The fake DShK or an M2 machine gun doesn't look like DShK, but some mutant bastard child of the Maxim and Browning M1917 machine guns, but I'm not 100% sure. It is most likely made to look like a "general" machine gun, instead of an actual machine gun. - Kilgore 22:58, 14 August 2010 (UTC)

M1 Garand

I rewatched the ending of the Redux edition from when boat reaches Kurtz's compound, and I can't see an M1 Garand anywhere. I found three other unlisted guns, but no M1 Garand. Does anyone have any more detail? --Funkychinaman 19:38, 25 July 2012 (CDT)

At one hour, forty-eight minutes, twenty-one seconds (1:48:21) into the film, look on the wall as Willard and the Photojournalist walk by, the shirtless man with the camo pants is holding an M1 garand. There is also a video on youtube. Type Apocalypse Now--Arrival, skip to 4:18.

That it? I suppose... --Funkychinaman 11:14, 5 August 2012 (CDT)

Yes, that is it. If you back up the scene maybe one or two seconds you can see it better.

If I back it up, it's barely in the frame. --Funkychinaman 11:25, 5 August 2012 (CDT)

[1], right here. Pause at 4:21.

Am I allowed to re add it to the page?

I suppose. And please sign your posts. --Funkychinaman 12:46, 5 August 2012 (CDT)

Sorry. I'm Trying to screencap a better view but for some reason my computer keeps acting up. Keeps pulling up things about copyright issues. No matter, if it's okay i'll just add this one until I can clear that up.--Gunner5

Unknown rifle

One of Kurtz's men is armed with an unknown bolt-action rifle.

Revolver

Chef has a revolver tucked into his pants when the boat reaches Kurtz's compound. Do you think it's the Chief's revolver? --Funkychinaman 19:47, 25 July 2012 (CDT)

Minigun mock-up?

Despite what is written in the description about how the M134s are from the Philippine Air Force, does anyone else think they look a hell of a lot like mock-ups? Firstly, the main "receiver" is too wide in relation to the barrels, and all the additional parts that attach like the delinker and motor are perfectly smooth cylinders, rather than the more irregular shapes covered in bolts, rivets and plates that they would be in real life. Secondly the barrel clamps are wrong, having that nut at the front, and the rear clamp being the same thickness as all the others rather than thicker. Thirdly the profiles of the barrels themselves is weird, with the back half being much thicker than the front abruptly changing at the rear of the barrel clamp. Lastly, the mount looks particularly cobbled together and appears that it wouldn't articulate enough to be of any use on a real weapon. --commando552 (talk) 06:54, 12 June 2013 (EDT)

Honest to jeebus I came here to say that. Watched it for the first time in a while and I couldn't help but think something looked off about the weapon.--Charon68 (talk) 13:01, 14 April 2023 (UTC)

M1918 BAR?

In the Redux version, a possible BAR is present in the French plantation scene. Just before Hubert de Marais introduces himself, a soldier behind him slung a possible M1918 BAR(or its variant) on his shoulder. However, due to fog it is hard to determine which variant. If you have the film, check 1:48:40-1:49:00 for the soldier on the left side of the frame behind Hubert.

Is it different from this one?--Ben41 (talk) 06:37, 10 November 2014 (EST)

In the "Redux" version, seen on the left is a French colonist with an M1918A2 BAR rested on his shoulders.

I think that image is exactly what he's talking about, and this gun is clearly identifiable as a M1918A2 version from the grip and bipod. StanTheMan (talk) 12:52, 10 November 2014 (EST)

Additional

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991)

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse is the 1991 documentary about the production of Apocalypse Now. Narrated by his wife Eleanor, the documentary follows the hardships of director Francis Ford Coppola and features tons of behind-the-scenes footage. The documentary shows the scope of how many guns were used.

NOTE: Only behind-the-scenes (BTC) footage, not shots from the movie that are featured in the documentary

Smith & Wesson Model 10

A poignant photo in the documentary shows director Francis Ford Coppola pointing a Smith & Wesson Model 10 at his own head (possibly the one used by Albert Hall in the movie). This image perfectly sums up the director's attitude towards the movie's hellish production.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 with 3" barrel - .38 Special

Coppola points a S&W Model 10 to his head. On three separate occasions, the director seriously discussed killing himself to end the production.

M1911A1

During casting sessions in 1975, several actors are given prop guns to use while acting out scenes. Coppola is briefly seen handling an M1911A1 during one of these sessions.

WWII era Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP

Coppola dry-fires an M1911A1.

M1928A1 Thompson

One of the prop guns given to the actors during the casting sessions is an M1928A1 Thompson without a compensator. The gun was likely a non-functioning prop.

M1928A1 Thompson with 20-round magazine and no compensator - .45ACP

An actor who did not make the cast acts out a scene using a Thompson.

Another actor on the left holding the Thompson.

Winchester Model 1892

During interviews with screenwriter John Milius there is a Winchester Model 1892 hanging on his wall.

Winchester 1892 Saddle Ring Carbine with large lever loop - .32WCF/.38-40/.44-40/.25-20.

Winchester 1892 on John Milius's wall.

M1 Carbine

One of the extras at Kurtz's temple carries an M1 Carbine, yet it is never seen in the actual movie.

M1 Carbine (Post-War) - .30 Carbine

An extra with an M1 Carbine slung while shooting the slaughter scene.

M1 Garand

An extra at Kurtz's temple can be spotted with an M1 Garand. Additionally, Filipino Rebels shown in stock footage carry M1 Garands.

M1 Garand with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

An extra with an M1 Garand slung over his shoulder while filming the slaughter scene.

Stock footage of Filipino Rebels with American M1 Garands.

M14

Stock footage of US Marines in Vietnam shows them armed with M14 rifles.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

Stock footage of a Marine firing an M14 in Vietnam.

Two Marines with M14's.

M16A1

The documentary opens the scope of how man M16A1 rifles were used for the film, mainly in the hands of extras playing Kurtz's army.

M16A1 with 30-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

During one of the casting sessions, actors Albert Hall and Sam Bottoms use M16A1's for their scene, while Coppola watches.

Sam Bottoms gets ready to do a scene with an M16A1 slung over his shoulder.

Actors in costume at the range during weapons training.

Frederic Forrest (Chef) fires a full-auto burst during weapons training.

Eleanor Coppola, the director's wife, decides to take some shots.

While shooting a scene at the temple, several extras chant and hold up M16A1's, much to the distress of Dennis Hopper.

M16

Some concept art of a cut sequence shows Willard firing an M16 with a (more appropriate) 20-round magazine.

M16 with 20-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

Concept art of Willard gunning down several NVC's for a sequence in an earlier draft of the script.

Norinco Type 56

The Norinco Type 56 is briefly seen with extras.

Norinco Type 56 with folding "Pig Sticker" bayonet - 7.62x39mm

An extra, standing behind Coppola's two sons Gian-Carlo and Roman, holds a Norinco 56.

M60

The M60 machine gun is briefly seen in the documentary.

M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

Stock footage of a Marine firing an M60 in Vietnam.

Director Francis Ford Coppola fires an M60 during weapons training.

Browning M2HB

Naturally, the PBR's Browning M2HB machine guns are featured throughout the documentary.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG

Dual Browning M2HB in PBR - .50 BMG

The PBR's twin M2 machine guns are seen here during the first day of shooting. Harvey Keitel is playing Willard in this shot, sitting in front of the dual machine guns. After reviewing this day's footage, Coppola decided Keitel was not right for the part and hired Martin Sheen.