Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog

Starring Klaus Kinski, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra and Peter Berling

In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.

A story of man's greed, both materialistic and spiritual, "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" is about more than just one man's selfishness. Through his acts of barbarianism and intimidation, the films protagonist also serves as a suitable antagonist, destroying anything and anyone that stands his way and crossing the line from the films opening.

In his first of a handful of collaborations with the infamous Klaus Kinski, Werner Herzog runs a production that is just as crazy and dangerous as the story of the films characters. Throughout the film, there is a sense of unease, hopelessness and aimlessness due to the way it was filmed. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, it certainly added to the suspense of a somewhat vacant plot.

As is the case with most, if not all of Werner Herzog's films, this is most certainly not for everyone. To the average movie goer, it could be seen as a long (despite an hour and a half running time) and boring story in which very little happens. But if you look at it with a slightly more studious eye, it is a brilliant allegory for the destruction Europeans brought on to the natives of the New World.

So if you do watch it, be sure to examine it and take it in for what it is. A Werner Herzog film.

My Rating: 8/10

Fitzcarraldo (1982)

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog
Starring Klaus Kinski, Miguel Ángel Fuentes, Paul Hittscher and Huerequeque Enrique Bohorquez

An obsessive rubber baron, intent on building an opera house deep within the Peruvian jungle, he devises a plan to obtain a a region of forest thought to be inaccessible in order to raise money for his passion project. He finds he must move a steamboat over a mountain in order to achieve his goal.

There is a saying in the film industry in regards to post production and the editing of a film. "Cut what you love". This might seem like the rantings of a lunatic at first, but it's meaning is quite true. If a scene does not add to your movie, or slows down the pacing, or in anyway affects the focus of the audience, get rid of it. Leave it on the cutting room floor. This movie is a perfect example of why this phrase exists.

Before I continue with my criticisms of it, know that this movie is fantastic. It is a film that could truly only be directed by Werner Herzog and his crazy ways. His obsessive genius, as well as Klaus Kinski's talent are highlighted and showcased in this film. The sheer scale of this film is one to behold with amazement. As much of a cliché as the word is today, this film is the very definition of the word "epic".

That is due in part by how it was made. How do you make a film in which a 320-ton steamboat is moved over a mountain? Why, you move a 320-ton steamboat over a mountain, damn it! How do you make a film in which said steamboat and it's crew go through some of the most dangerous rapids in South America?

Well, that's tricky. You actually intentionally place the steamboat in some of the most dangerous rapids in South America and roll the camera's as it crashes into the rocks protruding on either side and the cast and crew get flung all over the boat.

Regardless of how awesome this film is, I do have a problem with it's length. That is coming from a man who loves long movies and would rather have had "The Hobbit" series be released as one 9-hour long movie instead of three separate ones. I love long movies. And while with a running time of 2-hours and 37-minutes, this movie isn't terribly long, it certainly feels like it is.

I feel Herzog could have cut certain scenes out and shortened some shots and cut the film down to two hours or less. Perhaps it was the hell he had put himself through creating these insanely captivating images that caused him to be unable to part ways with even a single frame. I could understand that. But I found it's length and pace distracting at times, which is extremely rare for me.

But it is definitely impressive.

That one criticism aside, this movie is a brilliant portrayal of what one man will do in order to obtain his dream. It is a overwhelming display of the enormity of the South American jungle and the human spirit. And yet another example of how German cinema is considered by some to be the best in the world.

My Rating: 8/10