Dies ist ein großer film.
With that said, I wanted to write this all in German, but my writing and grammar skills make my English look professional. Herzog and Kinski's collaborations were and still are legendary endeavors that has produced many documentaries on the subject, as well as countless very eccentric (like both men) and interesting discussions. I had seen Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes a while back, so I knew what I was getting into at least for the most part, but this is like Aguirre on steroids, both in length and in overall scope. Kinski isn't as good here as in Aguirre, but he's much more subtle in his performance, which makes it all the more fascinating to watch. The fact that they really did in real life what they did on film is very amazing, as well as extremely grueling, I imagine. Some of Herzog's sweeping landscape shots are breathtaking, like usual, and his direction comes across like the film does: exasperated, exhausted, yet determined. I believe Herzog said during the filming of this picture that he belonged in a mental asylum for all the work he'd done on this one, and honestly I believe it. Working with Kinski and a ton of natives could drive anyone mad. I'm just glad he's not in an asylum and still making pictures. Great film.
With that said, I wanted to write this all in German, but my writing and grammar skills make my English look professional. Herzog and Kinski's collaborations were and still are legendary endeavors that has produced many documentaries on the subject, as well as countless very eccentric (like both men) and interesting discussions. I had seen Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes a while back, so I knew what I was getting into at least for the most part, but this is like Aguirre on steroids, both in length and in overall scope. Kinski isn't as good here as in Aguirre, but he's much more subtle in his performance, which makes it all the more fascinating to watch. The fact that they really did in real life what they did on film is very amazing, as well as extremely grueling, I imagine. Some of Herzog's sweeping landscape shots are breathtaking, like usual, and his direction comes across like the film does: exasperated, exhausted, yet determined. I believe Herzog said during the filming of this picture that he belonged in a mental asylum for all the work he'd done on this one, and honestly I believe it. Working with Kinski and a ton of natives could drive anyone mad. I'm just glad he's not in an asylum and still making pictures. Great film.
