Hotel: Martin Sheen Cuts his Hand Wrestling a Demon on his Birthday | Ep5 | Making Apocalypse Now

Summary

Martin Sheen recounts his experience filming 'Apocalypse Now,' emphasizing the challenging yet rewarding collaboration with director Francis Ford Coppola. Sheen details the intense preparation, including the pivotal hotel scene shot while he was intoxicated, capturing his real-life struggles and emotional depth. The narrative also explores Coppola's directing choices and the impactful cinematography by Vittorio Storaro. Through personal anecdotes, Sheen reflects on the profound impact of the film on his career and personal life, highlighting the fusion of character and actor in a raw, transformative performance.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Martin Sheen felt he was too old for the role but is grateful for the opportunity given by Francis Ford Coppola, which opened new areas for him as an actor.
• 🤝 Sheen and Coppola formed a lasting friendship that began with the making of 'Apocalypse Now'.
• 🚫 Sheen was not accepted into the military during the war due to a birth defect in his left arm, which influenced his perspective on war.
• 🎭 Coppola thought Sheen's portrayal of Willard was initially too passive, which was a concern given Willard's character in the film.
• 🌅 The hotel scene was a significant opportunity for Coppola to add depth to Willard's character and show his personal crisis.
• 🎥 Vittorio Storaro's use of light and shadow through venetian blinds was a signature technique that added to the film's visual storytelling.
• 📅 The production timeline shows that the hotel scene was shot after several key sequences, allowing for deeper character development.
• 🤔 Sheen's drunkenness during the filming of the hotel scene added authenticity to his performance and was incorporated into the film.
• 💥 Sheen's injury during the scene, where he punched a mirror, added to the raw emotion of the performance but also raised concerns about his well-being.
• 🎬 The scene was a breakthrough for Sheen, helping him confront his personal demons and contributing to his transformation into a movie star.
• 🎭 Sheen's performance in 'Apocalypse Now' was deeply personal and reflected his struggle with alcoholism and self-identity.

Q & A

Why was Martin Sheen initially hesitant to accept the role of Willard in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Martin Sheen was hesitant because he felt he was too old for the part, being 36 at the time, and he had a birth defect in his left arm that he felt made him unsuitable.

How did Francis Ford Coppola's vision for the character of Willard differ from other war films?

Coppola's vision for Willard was to depict a professional soldier who didn't question the morality of war but rather the methods, unlike 'The Deer Hunter' and 'Coming Home' which focus on civilians' experiences in war.

What was the significance of the hotel scene in understanding Willard's character?

The hotel scene was significant as it provided a glimpse into Willard's personal crisis and his longing to return to the jungle, showcasing his complex nature and internal conflict.

How did the cinematography by Vittorio Storaro contribute to the portrayal of Willard's internal struggle?

Storaro used the striping effect of light from venetian blinds to create a visual representation of the conflict between civilization (light) and the dark, primal nature of humankind (shadow) within Willard.

Why was the scene of Willard in the hotel room shot on Martin Sheen's 36th birthday?

The scene was shot on Sheen's birthday as a way to incorporate his real drunkenness into the performance, adding authenticity to the portrayal of Willard's drunken state.

What was the impact of Martin Sheen's injury during the hotel room scene on the filming process?

Despite his injury, Sheen insisted on continuing the scene, which allowed for a more raw and authentic performance. Coppola was conflicted but ultimately allowed the scene to continue, leading to a powerful and memorable moment in the film.

How did Francis Ford Coppola's approach to directing Martin Sheen in the hotel room scene differ from traditional methods?

Coppola used a more improvisational approach, allowing Sheen to explore the character's emotions and reactions in a more organic way, rather than strictly adhering to a script.

What was the significance of the mirror in the hotel room scene for Willard's character development?

The mirror was used as a tool for Willard to confront his own reflection, symbolizing his internal struggle and the duality of his character, as well as his vanity and self-perception.

How did the cinematography in 'Apocalypse Now' reflect the themes of the film?

The cinematography, with its use of light and shadow, visually represented the film's themes of the conflict between civilization and savagery, as well as the duality of human nature.

What was the role of the second unit cinematographer, Stephen Burum, in 'Apocalypse Now'?

Stephen Burum was brought in to assist with the extensive filming requirements of 'Apocalypse Now', ensuring that the additional footage matched the style and intensity of Vittorio Storaro's cinematography.

How did the filming of the hotel room scene affect the crew and the director emotionally?

The intensity of the scene and Sheen's raw performance deeply affected the crew and Coppola, leaving them emotionally shaken and reflecting on the power of the performance.