'Fitzcarraldo' has two main interest points. One is that it's directed by Werner Herzog, a very talented film-maker with a lot of great films. The second is that it stars Klaus Kinski, a commanding, larger than life and quite great if notoriously volatile actor who could be seen at his best in his collaborations with Herzog.
Its setting, that it features operatic music sung by great voices including one of the greatest and most influential singers to ever live in Enrico Caruso (speaking as a huge lifelong opera fan) and the unforgettable images of the boat are further interests. To me, while perhaps not as ground-breaking or influential as 'Aguirre Wrath of God' (a crowning achievement of German cinema) as far as Herzog's films go, 'Fitzcarraldo' is his masterpiece. It may be lengthy and paced at a deliberately slow pace, but neither are bad things here. There are so many memorable things to captivate and the pacing proved necessary.
Of all Herzog's films, 'Fitzcarraldo' is one of his most visually beautiful. It's exquisitely photographed with Amazonian scenery to take the breath away, while there are some unforgettably striking images here like with the boat. The music is an ideal fit and works very well on its own too, standing out in particular is the grandiose and beautiful use of operatic excerpts with Caruso's singing especially enough to take one's breath away and make even the most cynical tear up.
As ever, Herzog delivers on the substance as well as the style, while the script is cohesive and works well, with a surprising subtle quirkiness too, and the story is both uplifting and inspiring with an eccentric central character that one roots for.
Klaus Kinski gives an as ever imperious performance that is among his best, the intensity burning on the screen while also allowing some poignant subtlety. Claudia Cardinale is similarly tremendous.
In conclusion, masterful film and Herzog's masterpiece. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Its setting, that it features operatic music sung by great voices including one of the greatest and most influential singers to ever live in Enrico Caruso (speaking as a huge lifelong opera fan) and the unforgettable images of the boat are further interests. To me, while perhaps not as ground-breaking or influential as 'Aguirre Wrath of God' (a crowning achievement of German cinema) as far as Herzog's films go, 'Fitzcarraldo' is his masterpiece. It may be lengthy and paced at a deliberately slow pace, but neither are bad things here. There are so many memorable things to captivate and the pacing proved necessary.
Of all Herzog's films, 'Fitzcarraldo' is one of his most visually beautiful. It's exquisitely photographed with Amazonian scenery to take the breath away, while there are some unforgettably striking images here like with the boat. The music is an ideal fit and works very well on its own too, standing out in particular is the grandiose and beautiful use of operatic excerpts with Caruso's singing especially enough to take one's breath away and make even the most cynical tear up.
As ever, Herzog delivers on the substance as well as the style, while the script is cohesive and works well, with a surprising subtle quirkiness too, and the story is both uplifting and inspiring with an eccentric central character that one roots for.
Klaus Kinski gives an as ever imperious performance that is among his best, the intensity burning on the screen while also allowing some poignant subtlety. Claudia Cardinale is similarly tremendous.
In conclusion, masterful film and Herzog's masterpiece. 10/10 Bethany Cox