In 1976, Francis Ford Coppola was at the peak of his career. After winning Oscars for 'The Godfather' and its sequel, he was eager to take on his next monumental challenge. Coppola set his sights on adapting Joseph Conrad's 1899 novella 'Heart of Darkness' into what would become 'Apocalypse Now' (1979).
Partnering with writer-director John Milius, they reimagined the story, shifting it from the African jungles of the late 19th century to the chaos of the Vietnam War. With this ambitious project, Coppola pushed his creative, financial, and psychological limits, ultimately creating a cinematic masterpiece.
But what really went on behind the scenes to make this production one of the most challenging in film history? Click through the gallery to find out.