Aguirre, the Wrath of God

The original title of the film is Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes.

Before the Age of Great Geographical Discoveries (14th-15th centuries), Europe faced a monetary crisis - most of its gold had already been mined, although the issue of a limited money supply was discussed as far back as Ancient Greece. Circulating capital was scarce. At the time, there was neither a gold standard nor paper money, and economic growth required an expansion of the monetary base. A Keynesian aside: old gold was hoarded in the chests of feudal lords-a testament to humanity’s natural penchant for accumulation.

The Spaniards searched for the gold of El Dorado, even though it’s important to note that most indigenous peoples were armed only with stone tools - a sign of underdeveloped metallurgy. In reality, El Dorado is a mythical place, more like an abstract Paradise or Olympus.

The film methodically portrays the tragic consequences that arise from unchecked power. My personal appreciation for «Aguirre, the Wrath of God» lies in how it once again made me reflect on the importance of not only honing my professional skills but also of training my nervous system, maintaining mental health and fostering cultural groth. Ultimately, it’s about mastering the art of being human. :cowboy:

20 Movies to watch (FINALLY) in 2025 (2/20)

"That man is a head taller than me. That may change."

Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski are two forces that shouldn’t be combined, often leading to madness and disaster. However, they also create some of the most spectacular art pieces to grace the screen.

"Aguirre, The Wrath of God" is a maddening voyage into the Amazonian jungle, where everything that happens on screen feels real because it is. The biggest compliment I can give this movie is that it feels like a documentary rather than a film. The handheld camera, accidents on set, and Kinski's unpredictable and tense acting all contribute to this effect.

It’s a movie that feels lived in, and the breathtaking landscapes and character moments are something you won’t forget. It can be best described as a mixture of "Apocalypse Now" and the poem of Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Remarkably beautiful filmmaking in spite of a brutal "Heart of Darkness" style story. It feels hard to separate the feelings or criticism of the film from the feelings about the filmmaking process itself, as the difficulty of the shoot seeps from every frame, even as the camera soars and the photography lingers beautifully on the jungle scenery. Worth watching again, perhaps the German language version, because I found the English dubbing to be distracting at times.

Like me making popcorn pizza, it's over-ambitious, lacking focus and a little messy.

I get that this is a huge classic and I understand why, I just don't feel it myself.

Yes, it's brilliantly filmed and directed, but I don't think the story flowed as smoothly as the Amazon river and the haphazard way the characters were dealt with kept pulling out of the film.

The film Aguirre, the Wrath of God by Werner Herzog is visually stunning, with breathtaking cinematography that captures the vastness and danger of the Amazon jungle. However, after about 30 minutes, the visual impact starts to lose its novelty. The repetitive imagery, while initially captivating, becomes less engaging as the film progresses.

In terms of story, the film left me feeling disconnected. Despite its historical backdrop and intense character study of Aguirre, the narrative didn’t resonate with me on a deeper level. It felt more like a slow descent into madness without providing much emotional or intellectual payoff.

Overall, it’s a film that one could watch once for its artistic value and unique atmosphere. However, if you decide to skip it, I don’t think you’d be missing out on anything essential. It’s not a must-see in my opinion.

I believe the word "Slowly" should have been part of the title of this movie,