Review of Cobra Verde (1987) by Louis D — 14 Dec 2007

Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski's last cinematic effort grants itself all the necessary makings for an A-grade exploitation/action epic, yet sets itself apart from this obvious destination through purposefully anti-climactic moments. Kinski plays Francisco Manoel da Silva, whose popularity as a bandit warrants the more badass sounding title of Cobra Verde. The film tracks Cobra Verde as he reopens the slave trade in West Africa whilst simultaneously trains an army of half naked women (their emotional disposition makes them "better fighters") to end the reign of a corrupt king. This role allows Kinski to reclaim his Aguirre-like intensity, which had been abandoned for the tamer portrayals seen in Woyzeck and Fitzcarraldo.

Also: I just now realized that all Herzog-Kinski films reference the name of Kinski's main character in their titles.