I'm still relatively new to the wealth of Werner Herzog's work (and only recently did I learn about him eating a shoe in relation to the inspiring Errol Morris.) I was introduced to Herzog via Popol Vuh. Florian Fricke RIP!
I get the sense that Herzog prides himself on being anachronistic, and this film feels like it could have been made long ago, maybe even before the pre-Holocaust times it focuses on. Some of the shots, and the faces (especially those in the altercation in the tavern) are from another time.
I must say as the film started out in the Jewish village, I found myself hoping it would confine itself to the dramas of that smaller setting rather than the theater that became the second World War. Also in full disclosure, I must say that I saw this the night after being up all evening at work, and as such did struggle with nodding off at times.
But the fault there is strictly mine...the pacing is slow, but it works well. Life then should not have had the flavor of jump-cut hyperspace. I even reviewed certain scenes the day after. I think Herzog also has a fondness for the unknown. While some of the reviewers here may have heard of Zishe Breitbart beforehand, I did not. Most of the actors here, save two are also unknowns. And as the film unfolds, I never remotely felt that the story was easily derived. It would not surprise me if it were "unknown" to Herzog when he started shooting.
Indeed now as I reflect back on it, I'm not sure that I can with certainty pronounce "what it was about." But I'm going to try now, so if you have not seen the film, read on only at your own peril.
SPOILERS
I could see a case made for the nature of the invincible being embodied by the mind of Benjamin as opposed to the physique of Zishe. The final scene of Benjamin soaring signifies that, right? It was also interesting to me that the undoing of Zishe comes not in mortal combat against his enemies, but in an act of vanity amongst his brethren. Wounded by his pride as much as in his thigh.
Tim Roth's character, and his portrayal thereof, were mesmerizing for me. While I could see the notion of him as a self-loathing being, I think his Hanussen is more complicated than that...more selfish, than self-hating? Self-preserving, but of course ultimately short-sighted.
As for Roth's English accent, and other issues with dialects... First I should say that as a native English speaker, I feel spoiled by this...but subtitles are just not the same. Secondly I think the mix-and-match accents coupled with the fact that I was not familiar with the "real" story helped me immensely to take this as a filmic fable by itself.
But unlike most fables that have a moral that strikes you with an anvil, "Invincible" stung me like a jellyfish. What a great shot that was by way of the Monterey Aquarium. And the army of crabs that the brothers tiptoe over, is that meant to indicate the prevalence of Nazi's...and despite their smallness, they make it impossible for an individual to move? Then the train, is that the progress of industrial society smashing them?
Ultimately, I'm left with memorable images (circus dog shot!) and an underlying story, but not enough message to give this too high a ranking. Maybe you had to be one of the 36 in a generation to enjoy this film to its utmost. That's an aspect of Judaism I had never heard before, and like most religious dogma it spurs on a visceral anti-reaction in me. My "worship" of Herzog however, I suspect will grow. I've got "Stoczek" to see soon.
For me, even the "Invincible" was flawed...
6/10
I get the sense that Herzog prides himself on being anachronistic, and this film feels like it could have been made long ago, maybe even before the pre-Holocaust times it focuses on. Some of the shots, and the faces (especially those in the altercation in the tavern) are from another time.
I must say as the film started out in the Jewish village, I found myself hoping it would confine itself to the dramas of that smaller setting rather than the theater that became the second World War. Also in full disclosure, I must say that I saw this the night after being up all evening at work, and as such did struggle with nodding off at times.
But the fault there is strictly mine...the pacing is slow, but it works well. Life then should not have had the flavor of jump-cut hyperspace. I even reviewed certain scenes the day after. I think Herzog also has a fondness for the unknown. While some of the reviewers here may have heard of Zishe Breitbart beforehand, I did not. Most of the actors here, save two are also unknowns. And as the film unfolds, I never remotely felt that the story was easily derived. It would not surprise me if it were "unknown" to Herzog when he started shooting.
Indeed now as I reflect back on it, I'm not sure that I can with certainty pronounce "what it was about." But I'm going to try now, so if you have not seen the film, read on only at your own peril.
SPOILERS
I could see a case made for the nature of the invincible being embodied by the mind of Benjamin as opposed to the physique of Zishe. The final scene of Benjamin soaring signifies that, right? It was also interesting to me that the undoing of Zishe comes not in mortal combat against his enemies, but in an act of vanity amongst his brethren. Wounded by his pride as much as in his thigh.
Tim Roth's character, and his portrayal thereof, were mesmerizing for me. While I could see the notion of him as a self-loathing being, I think his Hanussen is more complicated than that...more selfish, than self-hating? Self-preserving, but of course ultimately short-sighted.
As for Roth's English accent, and other issues with dialects... First I should say that as a native English speaker, I feel spoiled by this...but subtitles are just not the same. Secondly I think the mix-and-match accents coupled with the fact that I was not familiar with the "real" story helped me immensely to take this as a filmic fable by itself.
But unlike most fables that have a moral that strikes you with an anvil, "Invincible" stung me like a jellyfish. What a great shot that was by way of the Monterey Aquarium. And the army of crabs that the brothers tiptoe over, is that meant to indicate the prevalence of Nazi's...and despite their smallness, they make it impossible for an individual to move? Then the train, is that the progress of industrial society smashing them?
Ultimately, I'm left with memorable images (circus dog shot!) and an underlying story, but not enough message to give this too high a ranking. Maybe you had to be one of the 36 in a generation to enjoy this film to its utmost. That's an aspect of Judaism I had never heard before, and like most religious dogma it spurs on a visceral anti-reaction in me. My "worship" of Herzog however, I suspect will grow. I've got "Stoczek" to see soon.
For me, even the "Invincible" was flawed...
6/10