Top 9 Apocalypse Now Movie Details

While searching the internet for Apocalypse Now movie facts, I found some interesting little known details. Obscure enough that most people could miss it, I want to make you a favor by creating ordered lists with the most intriguing hidden details.

Most of them are not blatantly obvious to be observed at first sight, so take your time and read carefully. We have extensive definitions that accurately explain any behind the scene meaning or famous dialogues.

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.

Trivia

I have collected all the famous movie trivia questions with answers from Reddit and other sources. They can be very useful in quizzes or games, or simply to learn more information. Most of the fun Apocalypse Now details are suitable for kids.

  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.

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.

I am pretty sure that you've watched Apocalypse Now, maybe in a theater near you or on the small screen, but probably not many of the small details have taken your attention. Most of the previous facts are hidden for some reason, but still, there is plenty of randomly forgetten stuff that makes the movie unique and interesting. The more you know, the more fascinated you'll be about Apocalypse Now and will watch it online, download or stream it again and again.

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

Check out more hidden details