In this, his final and definitive story on the making of the iconic movie “Apocalypse Now,” Martin shares of a harrowing life and death health crisis. All alone on a windy morning in the remote regions of the Philippines, he awoke with an unmistakable pain in his chest setting off a chain of traumatic events from last rites to a dangerous helicopter ride to the nearest hospital one hour away. After many weeks of convalescence and with the love of his family, Martin began his road to recovery. It was also with the support of a patient and sympathetic production team that he began the daunting task of completing his role as Captain Willard in the movie as well. What was once believed to be a heart attack may have been something else entirely. Yet the experience triggered in him an awareness he could not ignore, a longing that would continue to shape his life decisions for many years after. The story is followed by the intriguing words of film director Frank Capra and a poem by W.D. Ehrhart that reaches to the heart of a veteran’s experience after returning from combat in Vietnam.
In this, his final and definitive story on the making of the iconic movie “Apocalypse Now,” Martin shares of a harrowing life and death health crisis. All alone on a windy morning in the remote regions of the Philippines, he awoke with an unmistakable pain in his chest setting off a chain of traumatic events from last rites to a dangerous helicopter ride to the nearest hospital one hour away.
After many weeks of convalescence and with the love of his family, Martin began his road to recovery. It was also with the support of a patient and sympathetic production team that he began the daunting task of completing his role as Captain Willard in the movie as well.
What was once believed to be a heart attack may have been something else entirely. Yet the experience triggered in him an awareness he could not ignore, a longing that would continue to shape his life decisions for many years after.
The story is followed by the intriguing words of film director Frank Capra and a poem by W.D. Ehrhart that reaches to the heart of a veteran’s experience after returning from combat in Vietnam.
A complete list of the writers and poets from Episode 1 It’s Only a Movie, Babe
The story “Apocalypse This is the End My Friend Now” by Ramon Gerard Estevez AKA Martin Sheen is included in this podcast by granted copyright permission of the author.