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Apocalypse Now

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Inspired by the classic Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness (already a lost project by Orson Welles), this Vietnam epic directed by Francis Ford Coppola began with a first draft by John Milius in 1969 entitled The Psychedelic Soldier. It took ten years for the ambitious project to reach the big screen after a turbulent, lengthy production as fascinating as the film itself. Apocalypse Now went on to win Oscars for its cinematography and sound, and today it is regarded as a supremely powerful war film and an unflinching look into the darkest recesses of the human soul.

Featuring highlights from the Margaret Herrick Library and the Academy Film Archive.

Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
The original trade announcement featured several prospective names not in the film.
Casting Apocalypse Now
The first two scenes were originally conceived differently than what was seen in the final film.
The Opening of Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now
Shot in the Philippines
Continuity reference of Apocalypse Now
Continuity
Rare production art of the film's locations
Mapping Apocalypse Now
On the set of Apocalypse Now
Marlon Brando
as Willard in APOCALYPSE NOW
Martin Sheen
Eleanor Coppola
Eleanor Coppola
Up to filming, drafts of the script included a more explosive climax.
The Alternate Ending of Apocalypse Now
Massive destruction to the sets of APOCALYPSE NOW
Typhoon Olga
Francis Ford Coppola and Vittorio Storaro
Shooting in the Philippines
Storyboarding the Flight of the Valkyries
The Flight of the Valkyries
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
An announcement for the first preview screening of APOCALYPSE NOW
A New Picture by Francis Ford Coppola
Held at the Mann Bruin in Los Angeles on May 11, 1979
Apocalypse Now's First Test Screening
Apocalypse Now's Movie Poster
The Art of Apocalypse Now
The sound mixing of Apocalypse Now
Dolby Stereo
International poster design
Apocalypse Now Abroad
Japanese Poster Art
Apocalypse Now in Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Btmp0H7iko&feature=youtu.be
Apocalypse Now Wins Best Sound
Vittorio Storaro
Apocalypse Now Redux
Apocalypse Now Redux
Written to the New York Times about APOCALYPSE NOW REDUX
A Letter from Francis Ford Coppola
The Irving G. Thalberg Award

More Collection Highlights

Ghostbusters

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U.S. Theatrical Poster
A 1982 trade announcement
The first Aykroyd/Ramis draft

Sophia Loren

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undated portrait
undated portrait
in Pisa, Italy

Harry Potter

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Daniel Radcliffe
Author of the Harry Potter novels
The Harry Potter Rumors

It’s a Wonderful Life

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Theatrical Poster
The inspiration for It's a Wonderful Life
On the set of It's a Wonderful Life

Lena Horne

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Lena Horne at MGM
featuring Lena Horne
from her MGM Questionnarie

Singin' in the Rain

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Starring Gene Kelly
Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown
in Pal Joey circa 1940

Gregory Peck

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A Portrait by Ernest A. Bachrach
A Deleted Scene with Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman
From the Gregory Peck Papers at the Academy

Edith Head

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Posing with her eight Academy Award statuettes, Edith Head still holds a record in the Costume Design category.
from the Making of Notorious

Guillermo del Toro

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This production photo shows the disassembled model for the title device in Guillermo del Toro’s first feature film.
Guillermo del Toro envisioned and commissioned vast amounts of artwork for Cronos, including production paintings, storyboards, and conceptual sketches.