Aguirre, the Wrath of God

 

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog

 

 

Ideas are essential. Ideas are the cornerstones of drama, passion, love, death, infidelity, humour and pride. Without ideas from brave individuals, mankind would suffer tremendously. The idea behind taking a cast of one thousand people to Peru in 1972 to shoot a film based on an autonomic power struggle on the banks of the Amazon is a beautiful example of just how bold these ideas can be.

 

Aguirre, Wrath of God is the first of five collaborations between acclaimed German film director Werner Herzog and mischievous, Polish born, actor Klaus Kinski.

 

Wrapped around a fictitious interpretation of the Spanish fable ‘El Dorado’, the film follows the cunning and torment of Don Lope de Aguirre (Kinski), as he leads a group of soldiers, slaves and companions down the river Amazon in search of the City of Gold.

 

On an extraordinarily low budget, a stolen 35mm camera and a truckload of monkeys, Herzog transports the audience on an epic journey down Machu Picchu, over flooded riverbanks and through perilous river rapids. Using native tribes, animals and natures cruel intent to his advantage, the director portrays Kinski’s chiselled character as a deviant power junkie, mad, desperate and controlled as he plots to take command of his drifting wooden raft and claim the City of Gold as his kingdom.

 

In this brave portrayal of human temptation, rebellion and betrayal, Herzog and Kinski have culminated one of the finest ideas for a feature film and turned it into an unforgettable, larger than life cinematic adventure.      

 

Klaus Kinski as Don Lope de Aguirre

 

 

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Copyright Daniel Emmerson 2008 all rights reserved