20 Things You Somehow Missed In Apocalypse Now
10. The Original Set Of The Playboy Bunnies Scene Was Completely Destroyed
Several scenes in Apocalypse Now are intended to illustrate how the Americans tried to bring along all the comforts of home with them when they went into the jungles of Vietnam to fight: the air conditioned comfort of the briefing scene, the steaks and beer after the helicopter attack, and the most egregious example being the Playboy Bunny concert far up the Nùng river at a site called "Hau Phat," a play-on-words of the bloated nature of the American intervention.
Coppola had a massive set built for the scene at tremendous expense. When it was ready, however, Coppola realized that they had built it at an inland location, which made no sense, since the characters would be approaching by boat. Because of the cost of the set construction however, his production team insisted they use what had been built. In a fortuitous calamity, Typhoon Olga arrived to help Coppola out. The massive tropical storm completely demolished several sets, including the sets for the Hau Phat scene. Coppola got his wish, and this time he was able to make sure the set was built next to a waterfront.