Aguirre, The Wrath of God, is a film definitely worth seeing due to historical controversy, impressive cinematography and a haunting musical score. It's also a spiritual film delving into man's quest for prosperity while questioning man's morality intertwined with his religious beliefs and personal hubris.
Loosely based on the presumable diaries of a 16th Century Spanish Monk, Gaspar Carvajal, the story chronicles a journey led by a large group of Spanish soldiers; their group of captive Indigenous men and Inca slaves in 1560. This expedition is led by a Spanish governor, Gonzalo Pizarro, a Spanish General, Guzman, Asura, his wife and a formidable Officer, Don Lope Aguirre along with his teenaged daughter. The first 10 minutes of this film elaborates on the ominous and stagnant beauty of a mountainside along the Andes as we see the group trekking down a slippery stepped path leading down into the Peruvian rainforests. The terrain proves difficult for this cavalcade. While the women are being toted by hand in a large sedan chair by foot on muddy ground they are also dressed in perfectly clean dresses with their hair perfectly coiffed. The men are dressed with Battle helmets, Chest plates and boots. Some have full body armor. We realize, very soon, their gear and attire proves unsuitable for this mission. They struggle through the swampy mud and heavy green thickets with all their armaments and provisions until they must stop out of exhaustion.
The leader, Pizarro, realizes this journey is hopeless. As the cavalcade has nearly used up all their food supply and are depleted of energy, Pizarro decides to create a new plan to have a portion of the team split off to forage food and to acquire insights on how to seek the City of Gold, Eldorado. This plan proves to be disastrous, because one of the members, Don Lope Aguirre, chooses mutiny and to pursue Eldorado without Pizarro altogether. After a group of their men get caught in an Eddy on their raft while cruising down the river, they are ambushed by marauding Indians nearby. A power struggle ensues between 1st in command, Asura, and 2nd in Command, Aguirre. Subsequently, Aguirre wins out and the rest of the group bands with Aguirre. They appoint someone to be an Emperor, Fernando Guzman, just for the sake of having a figurehead. However, it's Aguirre who remains the true boss and ruthless leader of this ill fated voyage.
Director, Werner Herzog, uses historical facts infused with a fictional narrative based on two separate expeditions. General Pizarro, Done Lope Aquirre and Gaspar Carvajal were historical figures during this time of Exploration, but were on separate missions. Herzog takes Artistic license in adjusting history, and I excuse him for that. It's also possible that Eldorado was just a mythical city of Gold that was rumored by the Indians to lead the Europeans into their lair only to be open prey. Cannibalism, savagery and torture is also suggested. And although this folly proves to be a Fool's errand, it transcends into a deeper understanding of man's psychology through his overreaching ambition and spiritual visions.
It's a stunning piece of work visually, despite it's numerous flaws with dialogue and acting. Aside from Klaus Kinski, the acting is very wooden. Some of the death scenes look poorly choreographed or plain stupid. It's as if the actors were incapable of showing pain. The unknowable fear and desperation of traveling on unfamiliar country accompanied with bugs, hostile Indians and a scarce food supply is likely to be a suicide mission. This is what makes this movie worth watching. It's truly a cinematic journey and notable account of World History, regardless of any possible inaccuracies there may be. Herzog draws us into this dreary and perilous world, making us feel like we are part of the experience. Although the only acting standout is Klaus Kinski as the title character, he also proves tedious as well. His glowering stares, manic grimaces and sinister voice isn't easy to buy as overpowering since he is small in stature and walks with a limp. One would think that such a ruthless and fearless leader would have to be physically capable and domineering to accomplish such an upheaval against his superiors. But as history has it, sometimes the manipulative and dastardly people prevail as the last man standing in times of desperation and crisis.
Loosely based on the presumable diaries of a 16th Century Spanish Monk, Gaspar Carvajal, the story chronicles a journey led by a large group of Spanish soldiers; their group of captive Indigenous men and Inca slaves in 1560. This expedition is led by a Spanish governor, Gonzalo Pizarro, a Spanish General, Guzman, Asura, his wife and a formidable Officer, Don Lope Aguirre along with his teenaged daughter. The first 10 minutes of this film elaborates on the ominous and stagnant beauty of a mountainside along the Andes as we see the group trekking down a slippery stepped path leading down into the Peruvian rainforests. The terrain proves difficult for this cavalcade. While the women are being toted by hand in a large sedan chair by foot on muddy ground they are also dressed in perfectly clean dresses with their hair perfectly coiffed. The men are dressed with Battle helmets, Chest plates and boots. Some have full body armor. We realize, very soon, their gear and attire proves unsuitable for this mission. They struggle through the swampy mud and heavy green thickets with all their armaments and provisions until they must stop out of exhaustion.
The leader, Pizarro, realizes this journey is hopeless. As the cavalcade has nearly used up all their food supply and are depleted of energy, Pizarro decides to create a new plan to have a portion of the team split off to forage food and to acquire insights on how to seek the City of Gold, Eldorado. This plan proves to be disastrous, because one of the members, Don Lope Aguirre, chooses mutiny and to pursue Eldorado without Pizarro altogether. After a group of their men get caught in an Eddy on their raft while cruising down the river, they are ambushed by marauding Indians nearby. A power struggle ensues between 1st in command, Asura, and 2nd in Command, Aguirre. Subsequently, Aguirre wins out and the rest of the group bands with Aguirre. They appoint someone to be an Emperor, Fernando Guzman, just for the sake of having a figurehead. However, it's Aguirre who remains the true boss and ruthless leader of this ill fated voyage.
Director, Werner Herzog, uses historical facts infused with a fictional narrative based on two separate expeditions. General Pizarro, Done Lope Aquirre and Gaspar Carvajal were historical figures during this time of Exploration, but were on separate missions. Herzog takes Artistic license in adjusting history, and I excuse him for that. It's also possible that Eldorado was just a mythical city of Gold that was rumored by the Indians to lead the Europeans into their lair only to be open prey. Cannibalism, savagery and torture is also suggested. And although this folly proves to be a Fool's errand, it transcends into a deeper understanding of man's psychology through his overreaching ambition and spiritual visions.
It's a stunning piece of work visually, despite it's numerous flaws with dialogue and acting. Aside from Klaus Kinski, the acting is very wooden. Some of the death scenes look poorly choreographed or plain stupid. It's as if the actors were incapable of showing pain. The unknowable fear and desperation of traveling on unfamiliar country accompanied with bugs, hostile Indians and a scarce food supply is likely to be a suicide mission. This is what makes this movie worth watching. It's truly a cinematic journey and notable account of World History, regardless of any possible inaccuracies there may be. Herzog draws us into this dreary and perilous world, making us feel like we are part of the experience. Although the only acting standout is Klaus Kinski as the title character, he also proves tedious as well. His glowering stares, manic grimaces and sinister voice isn't easy to buy as overpowering since he is small in stature and walks with a limp. One would think that such a ruthless and fearless leader would have to be physically capable and domineering to accomplish such an upheaval against his superiors. But as history has it, sometimes the manipulative and dastardly people prevail as the last man standing in times of desperation and crisis.