Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes) – Germany/Mexico/Peru – 1972 – Adventure, Psychological, History, Drama
Directed by: Werner Herzog
Written by: Werner Herzog
Main Players: Klaus Kinski; Ruy Guerra; Helena Rojo; Del Negro; Peter Berling; Cecilia Rivera; Alejandro Repullés
After the Spaniards conquered the Inca realm, the oppressed Indians invented the legend of a golden kingdom of El Dorado, hidden among the impenetrable Amazon tributaries. At the end of 1560, Spanish conquistadors led by Gonzalo Pizarro (Repullés) set off to find it. As the group reaches the Andes mountain pass by Christmas, they descend through clouds to their destiny below.
The journey is treacherous and dangerous. Rations are almost done and they are far from Christian land, or any large civilization. In addition to armed explorers, there are some nobles and family which represent the Spanish crown. As food and options wane, a split expedition is formed and rafts are to take Don Pedro de Ursúa (Guerra) and Don Lope de Aguirre (Kinski) to find what lies upriver. If they are not back to the main group in a week, they will be left behind.
Visually enthralling, this film is an experience of sights and sounds in addition to its presented story. It feels very authentic as if one is settled right in with this group of travelers. The camera is nested in the thick of the action and smoothly rolls along seamlessly whether in action or transition shots. The overlying character narratives give additional intimacy and context. Shots offer insight and information as well as exposition.
This movie is quite well done and packs a lot into a shorter runtime. It’s hard not to feel at the outset that disaster is just around the corner at pretty much all times. The gorgeous scenery helps belay some of that tension at times, but the story feels destined to head towards its paths taken. The human elements in the story and acting enhance the experience, as does the psychological nature of the presentation.
See This If You Liked:
The Lost City of Z; Fitzcarraldo; The Mission (1986); Apocalypse Now; The New World (2005); Apocalypto; The Revenant (2015); The Mosquito Coast; The Thin Red Line; Lawrence of Arabia; There Will Be Blood
Score:
8.0