Aguirre, The Wrath of God

D: Werner Herzog

Filmverlag der Autoren / Hessischer Rundfunk (Werner Herzog)

West Germany 1972

94 mins

Adventure/Drama

W: Werner Herzog

DP: Thomas Mauch

Ed: Beate Mainka-Jellinghaus

Mus: Popul Vuh

Klaus Kinski (Lope de Aguirre), Helena Rojo (Ines de Atienza), Ruy Guerra (Don Pedro de Ursua), Del Negro (Gaspar de Carvajal), Peter Berling (Don Fernando de Guzman)

*SPOILERS*

Werner Herzog’s opus stars Klaus Kinski as the titular Aguirre, a conquistador lieutenant who breaks away from his main party to lead his group further down the Amazon River in search for the legendary city of gold, El Dorado.

As their journey progresses, the leader becomes increasingly aggressive and ruthless on his quest for riches, ultimately leading to their demise.

Visual storytelling and symbolism at its finest, with excellent performances from the lead actor and supporting cast. 

A classic of world cinema, finding its way onto the lists of many critics “best films of all time”, though it may not be fully appreciated by the mainstream masses.

Nevertheless, it should be a film that will last long in the memories of those who watch it.

8/10