Werner Herzog's 10 Greatest Movies

[@gbrvalentino]

Actually, Cave of Forgotten Dreams is about the Chauvet Cave, not the Lascaux. Chauvet was discovered more recently than the Lascaux ones and was never open to general public, which highlights even more your commentary on the importance of that film.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, that is a good correction. thank you. I have made a video on the movie, coming out on in the next couple of weeks.

[@guyfaux900]

Such a visual poet. From the opening of Aguirre I was immediately hooked on Herzog.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, for sure. he is not usually credited with being a master stylist, but he is.

[@BigDaddyZakk420]

Aguirre is haunting, Nosferatu is a gothic painting come to life, The Enigma of Kasper Hauser is so human and tender, Heart of Glass is surreal and dreamlike. I’ve seen 95% of his work, maybe just a few of the newer documentaries I haven’t; and I think they’re all incredible. Yes even, Even Dwarves Started Small.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent, thank you.

[@JH-lo9ut]

Wow, such a comprehensive list. Several of them that I haven't seen yet. And there are a few absolutely amazing films that didn't even make it onto your list, such as Fitzcarraldo and Hetrzog's documentaries about volcanos and Antarctica. Just love the passage in Antarctica where Hertzog finds a depressed penguin who decides to leave the colony and "head towards the center of the continent, and certain death". It is so magnificently dramatic and bizarre.

[@Warp75]

His 70’s stuff are mythic & those Popol Vuh soundtracks are magic.

[@cdchalmers]

Thanks for this. I've been binging Herzog recently, and have a few more to add to the queue. Kind of amazing that Fitzcarraldo doesn't make your top ten. Just goes to show you what an incredible body of work Herzog has produced.

[@HoldenNY22]

It was defintelyh an interesting Video and I like to start watching these Herzog Movies. Where do you find these Movies?

[@sedoff1948]

#1 - Fitzcarraldo.

[@danishnajfi]

What a great channel! Great review of the legend Herzog.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. a definite legend.

[@mrrrl795]

Interesting that Aguirre is at the bottom of your list. I've seen it and Herzog's Nosferatu and I must say that I prefer Aguirre. It feels very much like Apocalypse Now in a lot of ways. Though his Nosferatu story was the best telling of the Dracula story which we have all heard countless number of times. Roger Ebert even has Aguirre in his top 10 films of all time.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Yeah, should do an analysis video on Nosferatu, which I think is about a lot more than Aguirre. I've got a first draft review of it on letterboxd. My judgment at the moment is that Nosferatu is doing as much as Aguirre is and more, in terms of ideas. Definitely Aguirre was nearly impossible to film. Nothing wrong with loving Aguirre, though. For Ebert and others, maybe, it captures a mood well, plus hits on post-colonialism and Vietnam. For me, I've read too many books on the colonial Americas to not nitpick and be annoyed somewhat at most films on that period.

[@leebritnell2405]

Herzog is an amazing director who has spent decades making truly eccentric films.He has placed himself (and his crews!) in fraught and dangerous situations to realise his own obsessions We greatly need more of his kind!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent, thank you!

[@angusorvid8840]

Great video. A true education in cinema. I've been a Herzog fan for decades. The first film I saw was Aguirre on cable back around 1979. Then I saw Stroszek, then Fitzcarraldo, which I consider the spiritual successor to Aguirre. Kinski was incredible in anything he was in. Klaus and Werner had a very rough working relationship. Kinski was not an easy man. But an incredible force of nature on screen. Whether Herzog is dealing with fiction or reality, Herzog has the guts for strong visuals other directors flinch and duck away from, not because they are gory, but because they have the right kind of impact.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@davewalter1216]

Great analysis. Alas, I haven't seen many of Herzog's docos, but now I need to see 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams' and 'The White Diamond' before I die, at the very least. 'Grizzly Man' was the most amazing doco I can remember seeing and 'Little Dieter' quite surprisingly affecting. I tend to think of Herzog as an anthropologist from an alien civilisation trying his best to understand humans without being too judgemental.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. Given what you think of those latter films, you will likely enjoy almost everything named in this video.

[@davewalter1216]

@@LearningaboutMovies Watched 'Cave of Forgotten Dreams', last night a wonderful, haunting exploration. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@cakeorpurse]

This was really great. Werner Herzog is one of my favourite directors and I agree with your list. You articulate yourself very well :)

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you!

[@polinamitrofanova6288]

Thank you so much for this brilliant summary. I have recently discovered Werner Herzog and your film will help to navigating in what to watch first.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

He's fantastic. Watch all that you can.

[@moonriverdiver]

Herzog addicts (like mself) can splash out on the Werner Herzog Collection curated by the British Institute Film. 6 discs comprising his major films with his audio commentaries and plenty of his shorter documentaries - all stunning on Blue Ray! It includes the revealing Les Blank doco Burden of Dreams on making of Fitzcarraldo as well as that film with Herzog's commentary - well its his masterpiece!

[@brucekuehn4031]

He is a man with tremendous curiosity and he loves to share through film which is wonderful for the rest of us. As he’s said elsewhere - “read, read, read”. Somehow, I had not seen the 2012 film of Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise until I recently streamed it. Not directed by Herzog, but he made a great bad guy as an actor!

[@abbasseyedein8228]

For me the movie “Wild Blue Yonder” is a key film -or at least one of them- in understanding Herzog world and aesthetic. He uses some of his most important cinematic ideas in a single movie. He uses the images totally separated from the original context (kinda like the Lessons of Darkness”, his special application of music specially towards the end of the film is similar to the waterfall scene in “The White Diamond” and of course his existentialist take on the human life on the planet. Thank you for this great video.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent, yes "Wild Blue Yonder" is very underrated. Good mention, since the video didn't bring it up. Thank you for the compliment. I see that Herzog's Twitter account has as a slogan, "Seeking ecstatic truth in a harshly indifferent universe." That sums up Herzog pretty well.

[@Dzav05]

Fun fact! Aguirre was filmed in English, since it was the lingua franca for many in the cast. The German version version is a voice over, and Kinski is not part of it. Herzog mentioned that he wanted to charge some outrageous fees for the voice over and he decided to replace in on the German version.

[@glipk]

Man I love your bookshelf

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@rondragon]

Wings of Hope is another excellent documentary and a truly amazing story, one in which Herzog himself was involved, in part. It reminds me of Dieter Wants to Fly in that it is an almost unbelievable story of human endeavour. Truly inspiring stuff. White Diamond is also brilliant, as is Grizzly Man. In Grizzly Man, he tried to understand Timothy Tredwell which gives the documentary a deeper purpose. Cave of Forgotten Dreams was my first Herzog film and I've been mesmerised by his narration ever since!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

excellent, thank you for mentioning that movie, which I don't think the video did.

[@markczarny7088]

Strozek ws the first Herzog film I came across and introduced me to arthouse 🎥

[@patrickkelly5004]

I had only seen 1 of the movies on this list (Grizzly Man), so now I have 10 more movies to add to my list of movies to watch. My list is one I keep in my head, so maybe in that sense it's an imaginary list. It gives me somewhat the same sense I get when I walk into a vast library, and realize there are so many books I would love to read, but I'll never live long enough. It's not a feeling of defeat; more one of exhilaration over all of the good things from which to choose to enjoy. All in good time.

[@alejandromassucco4579]

Fitzcarraldo deserve a mention

[@LearningaboutMovies]

it does, though just personally I don't care for it as much as others -- too long!

[@joguess87]

@@LearningaboutMovies That is unexpected for me, but interesting choice!

[@glenbellefonte9620]

Greatest living director.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

arguably so, given his breadth and depth of work. I might agree with this!

[@glenbellefonte9620]

@@LearningaboutMovies Scorsese is alive, but he hasn't put out anything great since Raging Bull and even Goodfellas is a bit overrated. Good, but not great. Seems like every Herzog flick, (I really like Stroszek and Kaspar Hauser and Aguirre and maybe Cobra Verde the best) is great on some level

[@faredkarimi8565]

an amazing video. I love it and watch more than twice! I love to add a few more great movie of Mr. Werner Herzog. Heart of Glass is definitely missing on your list. plus Bad Lieutenant. it has a hilarious story line and Mr. Nickolas Cage is magnificent in this movie. also I'd like to mention I think I heard you said Lascaux cave but Mr. Herzog goes to Chauvet Cave in southern France for filming those almost surrealist quality images. thank a lot man I love your reviews specially the one you do on Mr. Herzog's Nosferatu. this dark movie deserve world of praise man.

[@brettcoster4781]

You didn't mention that Cave of Forgotten Dreams was done natively in 3D, and is one of the greatest 3D movies ever done. With it, you can see how the cave painters used the surface in their drawings for extra effect. Truly, some of the paintings leapt out from the walls. His kludged-up stereo camera (he needed it to be light enough to carry in the cave) gave as good an effect as was seen in Avatar. Definitely one to watch in 3D.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks, though please know I took a lot of crap for naming Cave of Forgotten Dreams as a top film of the decade, which I still believe is true. Also, of course, most people do not have access to that film in 3D, including me.

[@matchbox2.0]

lessons of darkness #1 for me

[@clumsydad7158]

Fascinating; I liked Grizzly Man but was extremely put off by the scene where he listens to the minutes of the protagonist being mauled to death. Even though the audience didn't hear the audio, I felt this crossed the line. Maybe it's just a bit of my prudish nature. Notwithstanding that, you've opened my eyes again to Herzog after i've had them wide shut. Thank you

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome. I use this in class as an example of shielding an audience from something, rather than showing it explicitly, but letting them know it exists. Every time, a group of students will go hunt down and listen to the alleged audio of the incident on the Internet.

[@stevencoffin328]

Cobra Verde is probably my favorite. I like movies where it's not a hero vs. villain story but a villian vs. villain story. Also Gesualdo: Death in Five Voices is my favorite of his documentaries. It's not confirmed but I think it is an example of Herzog putting straight up fiction into his documentaries. He is known to do that because in his opinion the lie tells a greater truth about the human condition than just stating facts.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

great comment. THat documentary I haven't seen, as I haven't found it anywhere. Perhaps it's online? thank you.

[@stevencoffin328]

@@LearningaboutMovies I watched it on KZbin.

[@josephcallahan1664]

Cave of Forgotten Dreams was amazing! It would have made top 11 to include Fitzcarraldo, an amazing film about human folly and madness. Thanks!

[@shyman3000]

I like this list. Long time student of Herzog's films. I'd probably have a different order but you definitely hit on some of his real gems. One of my favorites that is not on the list is "Where the Green Ants Dream" and a short he did called "No One wants to play with me". These capture different sides of his work. Also, i've found that "Bad Lieutenant" is a great sneaky way to turn someone into a Herzog fan. It's more of a straightforward genre film but it has his classic flair. Good List!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. I need to revisit Bad Lieutenant and reconsider it.

[@karenmcenaney6033]

Fata Morgana

[@debbieebbiebobebbie]

Happy People is pure love

[@LearningaboutMovies]

😀

[@kailam1679]

You are missing my top three Werner Herzog movies: Wings of Hope, Happy People and my favourite: The dark glow of the mountains!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you for mentioning those deep cuts. I assume they might be on KZbin somewhere?

[@rishabh.kaushik.]

Great list...thanks a lot for such a detailed and informative piece! Subscribed...

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome, and welcome.

[@physicalmediaeu]

cool list! thanks for the detaisl

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you

[@wuu2]

I wish more film youtube channels were like this - You are speaking candidly and passionately about what you like and why you like it. So much these days I find to be monotone video essays or AI plot recaps

[@anotherserviceuser]

Merry Christmas my Friend ! I will visit US in 2023 - if you got time to give me a sing on a bookshelf, I would appreciate that :) best wishes :)

[@LearningaboutMovies]

merry christmas.

[@destonlee2838]

I reckon that Being John Malkovich is my fav. Herzog film.

[@moonriverdiver]

Not his

[@preslove]

No Encounters at the edge of the world? That's my favorite of his

[@LearningaboutMovies]

it's good! did I not mention it? It should be somewhere in the video, and if not, that was a mistake. I really like that one.

[@riccardoangeli802]

Aguirre .... Woizeck.... Fitzcarraldo ....Nosferatu... KLAUS Kinski il più inquietante ed intenso di tutti i tempi ... Uno come lui non era previsto nel genere umano

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Very enjoyable, but for me despite the consistent vision of his work, the documentaries are mostly slight in comparison with his best features ( except the CHAUVET caves doc). So where is Heart of Glass? - with the most sublimely strange ending of all. Would also rate Acguirre higher - but love your appreciation of Stroszek.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you

[@Dakinekine]

Dude the most famous documentary voice of all time by far like by far by far by far is david Attenborough. Then morgan freeman as a far and away second

[@LearningaboutMovies]

You missed a by far

[@wilsontheconqueror8101]

Well done lad! Love Herzog!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@ericdavidwallace]

Informative thank you.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

You're welcome.

[@ilalapinski6146]

For me there is no doubt, the best movie he ever made is "Kaspar Hauser" since it is anyways for me the best movie I ever watched!

[@naftalibendavid]

That was brave!

[@PeterChoyce]

I was hoping "My son My son what have ye done?" would be saved for #1. I was prepared, tho, for it not to be on the list at all. It never is and i feel it's just the most proper Hollywood meets the deep existential anyone from the biggest film snob to the most regular movie goer can both enjoy. Plus it's a wicked genius black comedy. I have only seen this fine work ruthlessly panned and i was hoping you would correct that or at least tell us why Herzog die hards don't really like this movie

[@GrayIsBlackAndWhite]

David Attenborough is #1 nature voice

[@beesofst.ambrose9306]

What about Port of call New Orleans? There are some epic scenes in that one.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I need to go back to that one. First watch it was like entering a hellscape (at least the opening I remember).

[@shelleyisom2639]

Grizzly Man was fantastic -- beach bum with bears.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes! I made a video on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIK4Yqavqcykibs

[@badcrc1973]

Can't stop the dancing chicken! 🐔

[@cbillon]

cobra verde

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, i don't think that's been mentioned yet here. thank you.

[@cbillon]

@@LearningaboutMovies its not ofted cited as the most popular Kinski collaboration but the images in that movie really captivated me . The waves, the dilapidated mansion, the children, the king, and of course the ending

[@sealife12]

Okay I’m gonna need a Herzog top 10 no documentaries. Because I disagree with your 1 spot very hard.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Here, just subtract the docs. I forget if this ordering is consistent with the video. maybe not. letterboxd.com/joshmatthews/list/werner-herzogs-best-movies/

[@markczarny7088]

STROSZEK

[@AlonsoRules]

Werner Herzog = German Steven Spielberg

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Ouch. I think he is much better. Spielberg is no philosopher, though a far better entertainer.

[@Warp75]

Hahahaha yeah right!! Na absolutely not

[@atlasking6110]

Kinski was the creepiest Dracula ever.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Yes, there's a video of Nosferatu on the channel.

[@fuckcensorshipforeal]

Woyzek would be high on my list!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

the original play is quite interesting.

[@timberslut]

Huh! What about David Attenborough as a narrator? I'll eat my shoe if no likes him!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I've thought of him as a nature documentarian, not so much a feature-film narrator like Freeman and Herzog.

[@skyorrichegg]

I remember seeing the beginning of Aguirre late at night on TV in Germany and being absolutely entranced by it. That opening is in my top 10 film openings of all time.

[@Charlie-qn4my]

Thank you. Subscribed

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome. much appreciated. there are a couple more videos on this channel about individual Herzog movies -- Grizzly Man; Fireball; Cave of Forgotten Dreams; Nosferatu. Well, that's four!