In their Wener Herzog Primer, the AV Club website lists The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser under 'advanced studies'. As I said in my introduction it's probably the most challenging film we've screened so far.
That said, I hope Kaspar Hauser whet your appetite for more Herzog, and these are my five recommendations for what to watch next. All are suitable for beginners.
That said, I hope Kaspar Hauser whet your appetite for more Herzog, and these are my five recommendations for what to watch next. All are suitable for beginners.
What?
Tragic documentary about amateur grizzly bear expert Timothy Treadwell who repeatedly travelled to Alaska to live with and ‘protect’ his carnivorous “animal friends”.
Why?
The perfect combination of two of Herzog’s favourite themes: men with wildly psychotic egos and the “overwhelming indifference of nature”. Also features a great score by beret-wearing British guitar virtuoso Richard Thompson.
Trailer
What?
A trio of misfits leave their native Germany for a new life in America. Their destination - Wisconsin.
Why?
If you’ve seen The Enigma of Kapsar Hauser you already know what a compelling screen presence Bruno S is. Stroszek is Herzog’s only other collaboration with Bruno and in my opinion it’s an even better film. Like the earlier movie this also features a memorable scene with a chicken. Don’t let the fact that Ian Curtis was watching this on BBC2 immediately before his suicide put you off.
Trailer
What?
Klaus Kinski plays the deranged 16th-century conquistador who leads a band of men in search of El Dorado.
Why?
Kinski and Herzog are one of cinema’s great double acts, each bringing out the best (i.e. most excessive) traits in each other. This is their first film together and a down-river tale that’s possibly even more insane than Apocalypse Now.
Trailer (German: subtitles - zero, monkeys - plenty)
What?
German-born Vietnam War veteran Dieter Dengler recounts his experiences as a POW in Laos. Herzog is on hand to tie Dengler up and recreate his traumatic capture.
Why?
The quintessential Herzog ‘documentary’ (a word the director dislikes) and introduction to his notion of ‘ecstatic truth’ which he claims is “the enemy of the merely factual”. Herzog later remade Little Dieter as the feature film Rescue Dawn starring Christian Bale.
Opening Sequence
What?
More Klaus Kinski. This time he’s a Caruso-obsessed rubber-baron in Peru who wants to build an opera house in the jungle. This involves hauling an enormous river boat across a small mountain with aid from the local Indians. Burden of Dreams is Les Blank’s brilliant ‘making-of’ documentary that features many truth-is-stranger than-fiction moments.
Why?
With Aguirre, this is the other great Herzog/Kinski double act. The ludicrous ambition of Fitzcarraldo is equal to Herzog’s own efforts making the film, as seen in Burden of Dreams. The two-disc set of these films is often £3 in Fopp.
Trailer
Have I got the right films on this list? Leave a comment if you agree or disagree.
