 |  | Insanity in the Peruvian jungle |  |
"Burden of Dreams" recounts film director Werner Herzog's insane project to film "Fitzcarraldo". The project is continually dogged by disasters and the obsessive requirements of Herzog himself. The documentary-makers record the events in an impressionistic fashion, giving one a real sense of the otherworldy atmosphere of filming in the Peruvian jungle.
The DVD includes a throwaway item "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe" on Herzog's support of Errol Morris's "Gates of Heaven".
April 18, 2008Documentary buffs and those already familiar with Werner Herzog's career will probably really enjoy this film. I, however, tend to buy "Criterion Collection" DVDs because they are like taking film studies classes in a box (a major they didnt have back in my day). In other words, they are fun, fully informative DVDs: movie, background, and all relevant materials to understand why and how a film is "classic" or "important". I guess. I would have liked to have had a boxed set that included Fitzcaraldo. See that movie first. Read a little on Herzog. THEN get this movie.
June 18, 2007If your ever having a bad watch this movie!! This documentary exhibits the extreme case of a movie production gone sideways. All forces of nature were against the making of this movie. Somehow Herzhog stayed focused and comitted pushing it though to its completion. We get a personal insite into the philosophies that make Herzhog a great filmaker and human being. THe extras are great in this dvd as well.
February 17, 2007This documentary is a bit haphazard, jumping from one thing to the next, without much filler. At once it focuses on the politics of the native tribes and then jumps to clips of Jason Robards and Mick Jagger. However, I do think that this effect does illustrate the chaos surrounding the making of the film. The biggest weakness is the high pitched, plaintive narration by the woman narrator. The type of documentation of such a dreadfull film experience calls for something more authoritative. I suspect this documentary is best enjoyed by Herzog fans. I could be captivated for an hour listening to Herzog talk about washing clothes. He is such a charasmatic figure in his own right. What is really inspiring is despite every possible road block thrown his way--local politics, hostile German press, lead actors having to quit half way through the filming, the huge personality of Kinski, not to mention the sheer insurmountable effort to get the film produced---Herzog persists. It is really quite amazing, and the overwhelming impression is that his passion for film is such that he has absolutely no other option but move forward.
December 30, 2006 | | Proves why Herzog is as great as he is... | |
Werner Herzog is one of the greatest directors in the history of moviemaking. This documents arguably his greatest achievement, Fitzcarraldo. So much went wrong on this film, it was absolutely amazing that Herzog not only finished the film, but that it was as brilliant and as enthralling as it was. He had to deal with Jason Robards getting sick and quitting, Mick Jagger dropping out, dealing with Klaus Kinski (make sure you watch the special features for a tantrum by Kinski, which Herzog describes as "rather mild", so one wonders what a full blown tantrum is like), filming in the Amazon jungle, dealing with the natives, enduring a drought, etc., etc.. Some have said that Herzog is/was an egomaniac. They're wrong. I don't think he was reckless at all. He's a great filmmaker in pursuit of his art. That's all, and that's enough. Herzog spent a lot of himself after this film. He didn't really regain his footing until the 1990's, when he concentrated on documentaries, some of which are amazing. The DVD features another Les Blank film called Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe. It's hilarious, and Werner's comments on TV talk shows are prophetic. The man is a genius. One of the greatest filmmakers ever.
November 18, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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