Hearts of Darkness- How the film's production affected the content

 In the hotel room scene, where Willard has a mental breakdown, this was very much real and natural for Martin Sheen. Sheen has described filming this scene as "wrestling his demons". This gives the scene a unique authenticity, and an even darker tone. Sheen cuts his hand by punching the mirror in this scene, which while not intentional, is now iconic and part of the film's identity. Coppola, as well as others on set considered stopping the scene for Sheen's safety, but it was captured in it's entirety for both authenticity and because Sheen, who at the time was an alcoholic and a drug addict, felt it was something he "had to do."

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