Review of Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) by Matthew D — 05 Aug 2018

Insane Conquistadors Against Incas, Nature, & God.

Werner Herzog recreates a Spanish conquistador battalion in the Peruvian forests searching for the mythological El Dorado. It's a harrowing journey marred by famine and Inca natives defending their home.

The real star is, of course, Klaus Kinski in all his madness. He plays the conquistador, Aguirre, a man with delusions of grandeur. It becomes clearer and clearer as the film goes on that Kinski's character is indeed deluded by his mission to conquer. He fancies himself a successor to Cortez, but his mission is so obviously doomed from the start.

Watch as Herzog masterfully recreates rafting through rapids, 1560's meals, strategy, and a religious hypocrisy in the Spanish arrogance in attempting to rule lands they are so very ignorant of in all. This movie is well shot with long pans and hand cams, well acted and the dialogue is thoughtful.

Aguirre makes you wonder what the point of it all really is in the violence. It can get slow, but I found so many aspects of Aguirre, The Wrath of God to be fascinating throughout the film. An early Herzog master class in film-making.