Indigenous people in traditional paint and clothing paddling boats in a river surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.

APOCALYPSE NOW (1976)

In June 1976, I was contacted by Francis Ford Coppola asking if I was interested in working on Apocalypse Now in the Philippines. Of course I was interested. Working with F.F. Coppola and Vittorio Storaro (director of Photography) was not an experience to be missed. A week later I was on my way. I assume that I was hired because of my portfolio, which had a section with images I’d taken while I worked as a combat photographer in S.Vietnam and Cambodia, from 1968 to 1970 and in Chile (1973-74.)

I had no idea what lay ahead of me, but I didn’t care. I loved the tropics and it couldn’t be worse than covering the wars in Indochina. But guess what? Admittedly, working on a film set is a lot safer and better paid, but in S.Vietnam or Cambodia, I didn’t work at night nor in the rain, or in dense smoke: smoke against the millions of mosquitoes and other bugs which surrounded the arc lights when we worked at night. Or the nearly constant smoke created for the different moods of Apocalypse Now. (as in the above image.) Still, I loved every minute of my six months long ‘Apocalypse Now’ experience.

Many of these images are in the photo book ‘‘Apocalypse Now The Lost Photo Archive’

Francis Ford Coppola talks to Dennis Hopper before his role change to that of 'The
Photojournalist'. Present are Fred Forrest, Albert Hall and Chas Gerretsen and crew members. — Francis Ford Coppola talks to Dennis Hopper before his role change to that of 'The Photojournalist'. Present are Fred Forrest, Albert Hall and Chas Gerretsen and crew members.

After a week of persuasion by FFC, Dennis Hopper finally accepted the fact that a combat photographer carried more than one camera. But not yet convinced that they didn't tape their plastic films canisters to the webbing.

Finally! Dennis Hopper: 'The Photojournalist'.

The Photojournalist and Kurtz's army, 'welcoming' the RPB with Capt. Willard and his team.

Lt.Col. Kilgore, Robert Duval playing guitar during a barbecue celebrating the destruction of village One.

The Photojournalist, Dennis Hopper (and the middle finger)

Behind the scenes: Three young Ifugao children, avid fans of Francis Ford Coppola, holding a mango

Behind the scenes: FFC and his local fan club listening to a mini-tape recorder

A group of Ifugao children and Marlon Brando reading a newspaper clippings.

The departure of the RPB during the attack on Du Long bridge.

Martin Sheen during the attack on Do Lung Bridge

Sam Bottoms, during the attack on Do Lung Bridge.

Martin Sheen wearing a helmet amid a scene with fire and smoke. Do Lung Bridge

Sam Bottoms with puppy dog inside his jacket.

Sam Bottoms, Puppy on 'Killer Dick' helmet

Martin Sheen and Sam Bottoms taking cover from landing helicopter rotor blade wash.

Close-up of Ifugao women with traditional jewelry.

The arrival of the River Patrol Boat at the Kurtz compound.

Ifugao people paddling long boats greeting the arrival of the RPB

The BRP passing through the line of long boats.

Dennis Hopper, the Photojournalist, walking on bamboo bridge in a lush jungle with palm trees, carrying cameras and wearing camouflage pants.

Scott Glenn fires his shotgun and kills Dennis Hopper (The Photojournalist) This scene was omitted from the film)

From the film set of Apocalypse Now: Two young Ifugao girls.

From the film set of Apocalypse Now: A group of children and adults, some wearing traditional attire, carrying a bamboo structure amid a scene with thick pink smoke in the background. | Chas Gerretsen

Dennis Hopper taking a family portrait. Francis Ford Coppola had imported an entire Ifugao village onto the set.

Kurtz's (Marlon Brando) people carrying a bamboo cage, with Martin Sheet, the prisoner, down stone steps of the temple.

Aurore Clément smoking a cigar. French plantation.

Behind the scenes: Aurore Clement listening attentively to Francis For Coppola before the opium scene with Martin Sheen.

Aurore Clement preparing an an opium pipe for Martin Sheen.

Martin Sheen reading Kurtz's file, with the face of a statue looking over his shoulder.

Behind the scenes: why the words 'Apocalypse Now' were painted on a wall: to enable the film company to copyright the name.

Martin Sheen (The Photojournalist) photographing the arrival of the River Patrol Boat.

On the set of Apocalypse Now: During the ceremonial killing of the water buffalo.

Gigi Duenas (Brando's 'wife') with long braided hair and multiple body jewelry.

A smoky, fiery background. Do Lung Bridge.

A shirtless Martin Sheen lying on a bed in a dimly lit hotel room in Saigon.

A bored Martin Sheen (Capt. Willard) : waiting for his next assignment.

Martin Sheen lying on a bed in a Saigon hotel room: waiting for his next assignment.

Capt. Willard In a moment of drunken despair Martin Sheen turns and hits the mirror with his fist.

Martin Sheen with bleeding hand after cutting himself by hitting a mirror.

A soldier is shaving Martin Sheen, weak from a huge hangover.

Setting up for a USO show on a circular stage at night, with water and illuminated structures in the background.

Cynthia Wood, Playboy bunny, dressed in a Western-inspired outfit with a cowboy hat, top, shorts, and cowboy boots, dancing on top of a black helicopter.

Marlon Brando (Col Kurtz) sitting in darkness, recording his thoughts into a microphone, near a wall with large, detailed sculptures.

Martin Sheen (Capt Willard) with camouflaged painted face and upper body.

Gigi Duenas (Brando's 'wife') with traditional jewelry, holding a steaming bowl.

Col. Kurtz, Marlon Brando and Ifugao children.

Sam Bottoms amidst the smoke and darkness.

The arrival of Capt. Willard and his team at the Kurtz compound.

F.F. Coppola, (plays a t.v. correspondent) Vittorio Storaro, (Cameraman) Dean Tavoularis (Sound man)

Original color slide: Robert Duval (Lt. Col. Kilgore)

Aurore Clement standing on a balcony at the French plantation surrounded by tropical plants and trees, with a bamboo or wicker chair nearby, at night

A group of Ifugao children and Marlon Brando reading a newspaper clippings while the children watch attentively.

Gigi Duenas, the Princes and Kurtz's wife.

Doug Ryan with small Ifugao girl on his arm holding snub-nose revolver

Marlon Brando in silhouette. Martin Sheen crawls towards him to cut the tendons in Col Kurtz' legs; as was done in the ceremonial killing of the water buffalo.

Kurtz's soldiers dancing in the rain: during the ceremonial killing of a water buffalo.

Dennis Hopper (The Photojournalist) at work.

Behind the scenes: three Ifugao children peeking through a container hole with torn edges, peering in with curious expressions.

Cynthia Wood, Playboy bunny dressed in a revealing cowgirl costume, dances in front of a large group of US soldiers cheering and clapping.

Cynthia Wood, Playboy bunny, dressed in a turquoise top and shorts.

The funeral on the French plantation of 'Mr. Clean' (Larry Fishburne) with his music (tape player)

Director and Playmates: L-R Colleen Camp, Linda Carpenter, Cynthia Wood.

Francis Ford Coppola and crew working on a rooftop with a camera and equipment, beside a large ancient stone carved face, under a palm tree with a clear blue sky in the background.

Two Ifugao men with traditional clothing and spears posing with Dennis Hopper in a jungle setting

Chas Gerretsen & Dennis Hopper (The Photojournalist) on the set of Apocalypse Now.

Chas Gerretsen & Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Apocalypse Now. © unkown

The camera crew with Francis Ford Coppola on the BRP

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APOCALYPSE NOW (1976)

CHAS GERRETSEN