Review of Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) by Dan G — 26 Mar 2009

Kinski's performance in this movie is excellent but beyond that there really isn't that much going for this film. The cinematography seems excellent but this could just be speaking well of the gorgeous on-location jungle scenery doing the work for the cameraman.

The story drags along, as do many individual lingering shots, some of scenery and some of characters just staring off into space. At times it is fascinating to look at Kinski just gazing at things as there is much going on behind his eyes, but really the self-indulgent amount of these shots in the film is just one of those "art-house film" things that gives this sort of film its ridiculous reputation.

I will give the film big bonus points for its highly surreal ending which was quite well done. In the end, the film falls into the category of stories where the whole thing is a buildup to an intriguing ending where getting to that point is a bit of a chore but in the end it is fairly rewarding.