AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD (Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes) (1972) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Werner Herzog

Written by - Werner Herzog

Starring - Klaus Kinski

"The story of Aguirre, who led a Spanish expedition is search of El Dorado in Peru in the sixteenth century.

There are many things about Aguirre, the Wrath of God that are so deeply admirable - even more so when considering the miniscule budget with which it was made.

For starters, it is clearly the work of the ambition of an adventurous filmmaker - which is how Werner Herzog is usually identified. This very evident fact contributes to the immediate and very spontaneous power that runs throughout the film and that is also equally represented by the fiery and loose cannon like type of charisma of its leading star, Klaus Kinski, in one of many collaborations with the German director.

The hotheaded personalities of the director and leading actor who, it is a well documented fact, constantly fought on set, provides a genuine brand of tension that is palpable throughout the film. This is a haunting vision of power, obsession and desire that is shaped and structured by the reality of the dangers that were being experienced as the film was shot, and as the journey went on.

These things considered, it is also wonderful and exciting to see that Aguirre is such a well structured film, and a very haunting character study. On top of this, it is also a masterwork of cinematography by Thomas Mauch, and the camera here seems to be able to animate as well as glorify the dangerous landscapes of the Peruvian forests, mountains, waters and its mysterious aura."

Adventure, West Germany