Many years ago I heard of this film on Siskel and Ebert on Public Television. I had always wanted to see it but never got around to it. It was worth the wait. It is one of the most delightful films I have ever seen. Watching Klaus Kinski's passion, running around in that white suit and big hat as a group of Amazon natives make his way to his own El Dorado is a great movie experience. At first I hated his pushy, almost maniacal presence, but as we get to know him, we realize that all of us would like to live the dream. The scenes on the river with that big ugly boat, the gramophone sitting atop a pedestal, playing Caruso is superb. The great effort that all make to get the ship over a mountaintop is breathtaking. And, the final scene is uplifting and inspiring. Compare Kinski's presence with his pose at the conclusion of Aguirre: The Wrath of God.
Review of Fitzcarraldo
