Top 9 Apocalypse Now Movie Facts

Following is our collection of Apocalypse Now facts. Handpicked and verified, these little-known details can be obscure enough most people will miss. These behind the scene easter eggs and hidden messages will give you another view of Apocalypse Now film message.

The surfing fanatic air-cav commander, LTC William "Bill" Kilgore (Robert Duvall) uses the call sign "Big Duke 6," an homage to Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the ancient Hawaiian sport of surfing in the 1920s.
The surfing fanatic air-cav commander, LTC William "Bill" Kilgore (Robert Duvall) uses the call sign "Big Duke 6," an homage to Duke Kahanamoku, the legendary Hawaiian competition swimmer who popularized the ancient Hawaiian sport of surfing in the 1920s.
The title of the film is written on the wall when the boat first arrives at Kurtz's compound; it's the only time it's mentioned.
The title of the film is written on the wall when the boat first arrives at Kurtz's compound; it's the only time it's mentioned.

Apocalypse Now Trivia

These trivia from Reddit and other sources can be used as questions with answers in quizzes or games.

  1. . Due to the copious amounts of drugs and alcohol on set Francis Coppola threatened to commit suicide several times. At one point he held an actual gun to his head while lots of the cast was high and drunk.

  2. Captain Willard uses the phrase, "Oh man, the shit piled up so fast in Vietnam you needed wings to stay above it." After discussing how Colonel Kurtz received a promotion to Colonel. The insignia for a US Army Colonel is an eagle.

Apocalypse Now Hidden Details

1 - Martin Sheen's character passes a barrel labeled The Dow Chemical Company, which was one of the main suppliers of Agent Orange for the US in the Vietnam War.
Martin Sheen's character passes a barrel labeled The Dow Chemical Company, which was one of the main suppliers of Agent Orange for the US in the Vietnam War.
1 - Captain Willard's eyes are green. Reflecting how the jungle and it's "dark heart" are inside him. Sheen has brown eyes naturally. Additionally, characters acting insane in the movie have their faces painted green at the time.
Captain Willard's eyes are green. Reflecting how the jungle and it's "dark heart" are inside him. Sheen has brown eyes naturally. Additionally, characters acting insane in the movie have their faces painted green at the time.

There is a copy of The Golden Bough in Kurtz's quarters -- this explains why Kurtz didn't kill Willard on sight.

1 - After joining Kurtz, Captain Colby wrote a letter to his wife to let her know he wouldn't be returning. He chose to cross out "home" to instead say he was "never coming BACK" as home to him was now with the Colonel.
After joining Kurtz, Captain Colby wrote a letter to his wife to let her know he wouldn't be returning. He chose to cross out "home" to instead say he was "never coming BACK" as home to him was now with the Colonel.
Apocalypse Now poster
Apocalypse Now poster

Apocalypse Now Plot

A U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.

Cast and Details

Here are the full cast and crew of Apocalypse Now. The goofs, crazy credits, and trivia they have performed may have not taken your attention. Some are hidden for a reason, while others randomly forgotten.

Genre Drama, Mystery, War
Director Francis Ford Coppola
Stars Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
IMDB score 8.4

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