Werner Herzog films

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I am reading his book of interviews with Paul Cronin--A Guide for the Perplexed. Absolutely fascinating stuff about how he made the films, his life experiences, philosophies, memories, etc. Turns out the guy is also one tough SOB, very outspoken, irreverent ("A badge of honor is to fail a film theory class") and cynical, but also seems to have a lot of compassion for the underdog, as well as a very big heart.

I had already seen Encounters at the End of the World, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Happy People, and Gesualdo--Death for Five Voices. Now 1/3 of the way through this very substantial book, I am really looking forward to seeing Fata Morgana, Woszeck, Aguirre, Heart of Glass, and several others. WHat are your thoughts on his films?

(The bear was not photoshopped, or so we are told)

[Cato]

On "6 Favorite Movies" yesterday I mentioned his Kaspar Hauser movie from the 1970's: Jeder fuer sich und Gott Gegen Alle (Every man for himself and God against all) aka The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser.

The Klaus Kinski movies are something else also!

Not to be forgotten: Rescue Dawn with Steve Zahn.

[TheGSMoeller]

WHat are your thoughts on his films?

I'm a huge admirer of Herzog's work. I've seen many of his documentaries and all of his non-documentary films with the exception of Bad Lieutenant. Hard to really pick a favorite or select only one that truly encompasses Herzog's cinematic voice, but the ones I enjoy the most are Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), Heart of Glass (1976), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Fitzcarraldo (1982) and Lessons of Darkness (1992).

This also introduced mw to Klaus Kinski, who is equally fascinating. I ended up reading Kinski's autobiography, which was a crazy read. 

[TheGSMoeller]

Not to be forgotten: Rescue Dawn with Steve Zahn.

That is a good one. Then watch the doc Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) which he made earlier about Dieter Dengler , what a story.

[James]

Rescue Dawn is a good movie.

I like Herzog. I bought the Shout Factory blu ray set last year and went through it, many of the films were very good and I can see myself watching them again.

https://www.shoutfactory.com/film/film-comedy/herzog-the-collection-limited-edition

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I'm a huge admirer of Herzog's work.

Me too. I love all the movies you listed, plus Stroszek and Kaspar Hauser. But I suspect he is even greater as a documentary maker than as a director of fictional films. Also, his larger-than-life personality is a constant source of fascination.

[Rinaldo]

Herzog is THE MAN. I find most of his feature films flawed in one way or another (for example the terrible 'acting' of the strongman in Invincible), but even these flaws add to the amazing humanity of Herzog's work. His documentaries, on the other hand, are usually brilliant. Encounters is my favorite, as the topic is very close to my heart.

Anybody seen Queen of the Desert?

https://www.youtube.com/v/Stacvv4VK1A

The reviews I read were all disappointed with how 'ordinary' it is.

[James]

I could easily live without his documentaries .. his feature films really show his talent as a filmmaker.