Mark Kermode reviews Fitzcarraldo (1981) | BFI Player

Mark Kermode introduces Werner Herzog's epic Fitzcarraldo, one of his combustible collaborations with actor Klaus Kinski. Watch Fitzcarraldo on BFI Player (UK only): player.bfi.org...
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[@aarond9563]

I feel like so many people when talking about this film avoid talking about the FILM, but instead the making of the film.

[@oliveleaf7376]

well, the film is the film, it's very hard to describe without giving spoilers, and words don't really do it justice anyway. Like many of Herzog's movies, it is a tautological work, which seems to be his filmmaking philosophy. What makes this particular film interesting is that it is a very intelligent man trying to capture on camera a real world experience by forcing lots of people to truly engage with an artifice so finely crafted that it provokes genuine emotions from all involved. I will always find both this movie and Aguirre, Wrath of God deeply unnerving in how unapologetically Herzog captures on camera the way he makes native people do most of the backbreaking labor for him to make his movie, just as the white colonists in-narrative do. It aggressively yells at the audience, "the colonization has not stopped, by watching this you the viewer are participating in the exploitation of labor, just as I the director did in order to document the way that labor was exploited by previous colonists. This is real, these people are still abused regularly by colonial powers showing up to do something as dumb as film a movie about traveling through a very dangerous place in a stupid and dangerous way"

[@littleghostfilms3012]

Fitzcarraldo is a mad dreamer who is obsessed with his vision to do something amazing in life! And yes, the film is every bit as good as the making of story.

[@reinadegrillos]

I think the collaboration between Herzog and Kinski is one of the most extraordinary of all Film's history. And what a marvelous films they made.

[@MAFion]

One of the most insane and dangerous film productions in history for sure.

[@bunny.thebest9103]

The undying courage to do what is necessary to put his vision on screen is something to look up to. Werner Herzog is a great inspiration.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Give him his opera house !

[@Roo408]

Recently watched this gem , great film 🎥

[@Dioleate]

Slow, difficult to get into, definitely not for everyone, but still one of my top 10 favorite movies and imo easily one of the best art house movies to ever exist.

[@shiftertron6143]

Mein bester Feind is a pun on the phrase "mein bester Freund" and translates as something more like "my best enemy".

[@philwilliams2505]

Burundy Black (by "Burundy Stevenson Black" ) was the savages drum music

[@Onmysheet]

I'll stick with the Blu ray.

[@scottsimmons7897]

BUT Is the movie as good as the story behind making the movie; ie, both Herzog's and Kinski's massive egos and tempestuous relationship? Probably not.

[@BackyardPix]

It is.

[@montag4516]

Fitzcarraldo, the film is excellent with moods often ranging/shifting from somber to intensely raging. The making of film just allows outsiders to grasp how difficult and real the footage in the feature really is.

[@georgemorley1029]

Far better.

[@Zegeebwah]

Tbh this movie was hard to get into. It hasnt aged well. The making of is more interesting than the film itself.

[@AnulaibazIV]

No.

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

Acting is horrible in this film. TV level.

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

(except Claudia Cardinale)

[@carlmarston1687]

Are you kidding

[@swedish_llama1356]

I sort of agree, but I think it adds to the charm of the film. Kinski is completely unhinged here and it’s a joy to watch, but definitely not what you’d call realism

[@franosbornblaschke3694]

@@swedish_llama1356 I was in a cranky mood that night. I enjoy other Herzog films like "Kaspar...", etc., for their unique casts. And "Rescue Dawn" is amazing. Mostly, the Don Aquilino character bugs me. : )

[@captfeeny]

Just watch the juxtaposition of Robards and Jagger with Kinski in the bell scene of "Fitzcarraldo" (as seen in "My Best Fiend"). Kinski's acting truly comes alive in comparison.