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Fitzcarraldo
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Fitzcarraldo

1982
Drama, Adventure
2h 38m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 75.21% from 1998 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1998)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 01 Feb 2007
80
61st
This is very good and I enjoyed it, but I'm disappointed that I didn't really like it anywhere near as much as Aguirre. I thought it only got really good in the last hour, and that much of the earlier stuff seemed to plod along a lot. Kinski makes even the less interesting parts worthwhile, though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
96th
An incredibly ambitious project that, for the most part, works very well. The beautiful shots of the jungle and the manic yet charming performance by Kinski are mesmerizing. This is a smidge below Aguirre in my book because the pacing needs work and there is some odd editing, but these are minor issues. It's a gorgeous film.
Rated 06 Nov 2008
91
96th
Herzog returns to his much beloved subject of a mad man doing mad things, and again Kinski is staring as said mad man. Yes, it is slow at the beginning, and yes, it is not as good as Aguirre is (then again, few films are). However there is still a hypnotic beauty to it, and the imagery and acting build a great atmosphere that really captures the scope of the central act. The fact that a boat actually was pulled over a mountain for this film stands testament to Herzog's determination.
Rated 07 Feb 2007
88
91st
I prefer Kinski as a raving maniac rather than the slightly eccentric character he plays here. There are lots of brilliant moments, but the slow parts between them don't hypnotize me as much as they do in Herzog's other work.
Rated 21 Feb 2008
99
94th
An incredible achievement from the most daring of directors. Viewing of Fitzcarraldo should be immediately accompanied by seeing Burden of Dreams, which really highlights how crazy both Herzog and Kinsky are/were.
Rated 30 Nov 2008
100
90th
A film that should be seen by every movie lover, not just for the epic and incredible story it tells, but for the extraordinary lengths Herzog went to to tell the story. The making of this film is as interesting as the story itself, which is saying something. Kinski is again fantastic, and Herzog's direction is great. Truly one of the biggest accomplishment in movie making, I doubt any other director than Herzog has actually pulled a ship over a mountain for a film. Masterpiece.
Rated 17 Mar 2009
8
82nd
This movie is incredible. Some movies would have the same effect if you just read about it but so much of the images, the music, and the acting are so essential to the story telling that it becomes a great utilization of film as a whole. I loved Kinski in this but I still think Nicholson would've been an interesting thing to see as well.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
92
91st
Complexly and strangely satisfying. After watching this film, I believe pigs CAN fly, as long as Klaus Kinski's the one telling them to. Slow in parts, but somehow without ostentation Herzog can film grass growing (or a ship moving. one. inch. at. a. time...) and keep me interested.
Rated 05 Jul 2009
10
97th
Film as an ambition. 'Fitzcarraldo' belittles the word big. Impossible seems possible, unlikely seems likely, improbable seems probable, this is the driving force behind this picture and why also it is as fantastic as it is. Only Herzog could pull this off and Kinski rises yet again to the occasion.
Rated 21 Mar 2007
5
91st
Not quite as good as Aguirre, but a masterpiece nonetheless. Kinski turns in another great performance, though it's far removed from his turn as Aguirre; he's not as memorable here, but he's more multifaceted and sympathetic, and I absolutely loved his character. The movie moves a bit slowly at times, and he's key in holding interest. However, at its best, this movie is incredible, with stunning jungle imagery and an amazing sense of grandeur. The end is odd but strangely satisfying.
Rated 05 Apr 2007
92
88th
Fitzarraldo is a slow-moving cinematic epic that draws from Klaus Kinski to lead an otherwise forgettable story. The beginning portion of the film sets up what we'll be going through but ultimately is too long for its own good; it's not until Fitz and his crew go on the water that the movie starts getting really good. The visual style and scenery shot in this film is really something else. You feel like you are there with them, alone on this secluded river. Kinski gives another brilliant p
Rated 07 Jul 2007
98
98th
Fitzcarraldo is the prime example of man struggling to achieve the impossible. Klaus Kinski is fantastic in this, yet very different. His character is very sympathetic and not how he is in most of his films. In Fitzcarraldo, Herzog shows us that achieving the impossible is in fact very possible, both during the film, and during the making of it. Spectacular, and thought provoking, Fitzcarraldo is a must see for anybody interested in films, it is one of Herzogs finest works, and thats saying alot
Rated 30 Dec 2007
89
77th
Something of a spiritual sequel to Aguirre, this is a much grander story, but it can drag for extended amounts of time (much like a boat up a mountain, I'd imagine), and the title character is a bit of a bore compared to Aguirre. Still, the creepy scenes with the natives, and the climactic trip down the rapids are some of the most impressive images ever captured.
Rated 16 Jul 2008
75
84th
It's classic Herzog alright but its similarity to Aguirre goes beyond the setting and the star of the film. Both Fitzcarraldo and Cobra Verde rip some of the themes and subtext off of Aguirre but neither of them has its ferocity and profundity. Still, this is an enticing film from the start and it gets better and better as it progresses.
Rated 13 Jan 2009
85
89th
The beginning half hour made this movie inaccessible and slow moving, but after it picked up it was visually engaging and made with a feeling of grandure that makes it quite hard to not love it. I enjoyed Herzog's melding of "Fitzgerald's" love of opera with the scenes and the wonderful amazonian jungle, and Kinski was a capable actor as well as many of the other players in this movie.
Rated 08 Oct 2009
9
90th
Herzog is the creative mind behind this film, but not only does he have the ambition and balls to achieve the impossible, he actually makes it work. The cinematic embodiment of Herzog himself as a filmmaker, 'Fitzcarraldo' is as shocking as it is bewitching. Haunting images of the Peruvian jungle and Kinski's performance deserve some praise as well. Some parts were a bit slow and unnecessary but I still highly recommend the film.
Rated 09 Feb 2021
86
83rd
Herzog really likes filming rivers. He always gets these cool parallax shots circling Kinski, thick jungle spiraling around him as he sails to glory. There's a lot of power in those shots. But those pale in comparison to the sheer absurdity of watching a steamboat slide up a mountain like it's a ride at a theme park (one where the park themes are industrialization, colonization, exploitation). The movie may take a while to get going but boy does it get there.
Rated 21 Jan 2007
98
99th
The imagery is stunning and the passion and ambition from Kinski feels so flamboyant yet also sincere. Like in many of Herzog's films there are some minor flaws, but for me they were insignificant in the whole picture.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
97
94th
This movie proves, at least, the bizarre genius of Klaus Kinski. He plays this warm and mostly pleasant character, that differs enormously not only from his previous experiences with the director Werner Herzog (Aguirre, Nosferatu and Woyzeck) but from his own personality. Yet, Kinski's able to build a dense and problematic hero, bringing the character to another level of complexity but the classic epochality.
Rated 09 Aug 2007
75
66th
I need to watch Burden of Dreams, because I got the sense the production of this film tells a more interesting story than the film itself.
Rated 26 Jul 2008
80
67th
Take this with a grain of salt. I wasn't really that excited and only slightly entertained by it but I give it loads of credit for the tremendous amount of work put into it. Sure, movies have sets and costumes and all that but how many movies actually have a boat being pulled over a mountain, instead of using CGI? Along with nice usage of music and the camera work, it's definitely a well made film.
Rated 02 Aug 2008
4
74th
Exemplary of Herzog's ambitious filmmaking, though I like Aguirre and even Cobra Verde better, as his collaborations with Kinski go. Kinski single-handedly drives the movie as the determined titular character. It's an amazing performance, but sometimes this becomes a bit of a problem. This movie is extremely slow, and having one interesting character of any consequence doesn't help. Even so, it's mostly an amazingly epic achievement with some great Amazon photography.
Rated 11 Aug 2008
84
80th
It's a terrific film on the whole. However, I found the beginning to drag a fair bit and it wasn't until Fitz's plan started going into motion that it really caught me up in it, but once it got me there was no escaping.
Rated 16 Dec 2008
100
97th
More than once in this film will the viewer be left awestruck and speechless, either by Herzog's beautiful cinematography or by Kinski's amazing performance as this strange and fascinating man.
Rated 01 Jan 2009
95
96th
Simply put, it's an absolutely stunning movie to watch. The story of an incredibly driven man who ultimately meets failure once again was marvelously directed by Herzog and had an ending that was heartbreaking, but you know that Fitzgerald will still go on. The most satisfying part of this movie for me was when it dawned on me that the ship was actually hoisted over that small mountain, with no real modern technology. Kinski gives another knock out performance, a must watch for anyone.
Rated 24 Mar 2009
88
90th
Impressive. The first 45 minutes, while entertaining are a bit aimless but once Kinski gets on the boat the film kicks it up a notch. Not only is he captivating, but the jungle visuals are stunning. While the pacing could be better it still holds your interest and works with the strangeness of the film, as does the ending which odd yet appropriate.
Rated 29 Dec 2009
90
91st
Kinski's character is fantastic and overly ambitious yet somewhat modest on screen. It's beautifully shot and some of the images of the boat going over the mountain will stick with me forever. I don't really think the start is as slow as people say. It's ambitious, thrilling and a great film - never have I felt so depressed for not having the desire to push a boat over a mountain.
Rated 08 Dec 2010
60
53rd
I'm going to have to take the 'if it's not in frame it does not exist' approach to this one and say, if you discount that it's Klaus, that it's Werner and that they actually carried that fucking ferry up a moutain, what is left is a story that places itself right smack in the middle of insanity, ambition and retarded stupidity. If he wanted to build a cinema, sure, but all this for meer opera?
Rated 22 May 2007
95
98th
An stunningly passionate and inspired Herzog masterpiece. The imagery is hypnotic and Klaus Kinski is better than ever. Some scenes will never leave your memory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
98th
Unique masterpiece from Herzog.
Rated 16 Aug 2007
83
78th
Get past the first 20-30 minutes and you're in for an adventure, Excellent movie.
Rated 28 Apr 2008
84
71st
Kept me interested and I really respect the fact that no special effects were used when getting the boat over the hill or navigating it through the rapids. Looking forward to seeing more of Herzog's work.
Rated 30 Apr 2008
82
72nd
This is a tough one. I wanted to love it, and I admire all of the work Herzog and Co. did, but as Ebert pointed out in his review, it's not a perfect movie. More specifically, it definitely meanders towards the end and I found myself losing some of the interest that I had built up. Still, Kinski is phenomenal and the shots of the Amazon are amazing.
Rated 19 Nov 2008
95
87th
A passionate, hypnotic, provoking and majestic slow-moving epic that is completely driven by Klaus Kinski. Herzog gives us a film about a man trying to do the impossible, and to take things to the limit. Even though I prefer Aguirre, This movie grabs my heart at a close second for my favorite Herzog films.
Rated 03 May 2009
8
85th
The best way to showcase how the impossible is possible.
Rated 08 Mar 2010
93
91st
Once again, Kinski is obsessed in the jungle, and--once again--we're glad Herzog was there to take us on this strange journey with both of them. Drags a bit toward the end, though.
Rated 13 Jun 2010
89
97th
Besides being an incredible feat of engineering, organisation and man-management, Herzog's film captures something profound about the human condition and the futility of man's endeavours. It is packed with romantic notions but shoots them in the face; it celebrates art but embeds it within squalor. It's like an opera in itself, with every emotion to the max. Kinski's performance is spellbinding. This film is quite simply over the top - in more ways than one! How on earth did Herzog do it?
Rated 12 Apr 2011
70
46th
A silly movie revolving around an impossibly-hard task; it is worth a watch because of Kinksi and very little else. I'd probably rate this higher were Herzog not so flippant towards the well being of the crew. The engineer involved left in disgust because he felt people would die, yet Herzog ignored it. There were deaths in plane crashes (the sets were ridiculously far apart) & he had the Indians as virtual indentured servants. This is a mentally insane and irresponsible vanity project.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
83
88th
The first half takes a while to get going and is not terribly memorable, but the crazy shit in the second half more than makes up for it. An interesting tale about impossible dreams and the stubborn and downright mad urge to follow them, carried wonderfully by an unhinged looking Kinski.
Rated 05 Oct 2013
87
73rd
Watched with German audio, subtitles. First half was a bit slow but second was pretty captivating.
Rated 24 Oct 2013
90
89th
Everything outside the scenes going up the river and over the hill are pretty flaccid. In fact, the entire first hour is downright boring. I was also expecting something more dreamlike considering people speak of this as a spiritual successor to Aguirre. I think it was worth it, though. Watching that boat go up and down the hill is something everybody should experience. It's positively transcendent. Herzog is a madman.
Rated 10 Dec 2014
100
99th
There are just so many parallels between the filming process and the ambition of the story. Reading Herzog's "Conquest of the Useless" as an accompaniment made me appreciate just how much real passion, adversity and determination is reflected in the film itself. There's also a paradoxically surrealist element to watching a real steamship being hauled over a real mountain and crashing through real rapids. It's the authenticity that somehow makes it so strangely fantastical.
Rated 24 Jan 2020
91
94th
The pacing is slow, especially compared to Aguirre, but many factors related to the filming that make Aguirre an iconic movie are more apparent here. This is raw, hard earned footage. Just read the trivia about the production. I admired Fitz' ambition and it's really a mirror of Herzog's. When investors told him to cut his losses- "If I abandon this project, I will be a man without dreams, and I don't want to live like that. I live my life or I end my life with this project."
Rated 17 Jul 2022
90
87th
Fitzcarraldo estreava na Suécia há 40 anos. Umas semanas atrás eu assisti o excelente documentário Burden of Dreams sobre a produção de Fitzcarraldo, Les Blank conseguiu fazer um making of tão grandioso como o filme do Herzog em si, o fato da produção do filme se correlacionar com a história contada foi um prato cheio para o documentário. Vê-los tão próximos complementa a grandiosidade de ambos. Coleção Folha Cine Europeu.
Rated 14 Jan 2024
93
84th
A comparison of Fitz with the protagonists in some other Herzog epics/sagas (AGUIRRE, STROSZEK, and WOYZECK) seems to draw us to a conclusion as such: for a man with an intense, unreserved and almost compulsive passion, it's obviously the best to have around him a woman strongly on the maternal side. For more about the style of Herzog's epics, see the reviews of WOYZECK (1979) and THE ENIGMA OF KASPAR HAUSER (1974).
Rated 26 Jan 2007
90
95th
Beautiful. Majestic. Epic. Intense. FUCK!
Rated 31 Jan 2007
96
96th
My favorite Herzog film. Great adventure and drama. Beautifully shot and captivating. A great achievment of filmmaking. Herzog is possibly the most passionate director of all time.
Rated 30 Mar 2007
100
95th
Werner Herzog may hold the record for "director with the most people killed in the process of production of his films", but this is still an awesome movie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
67th
Didn't quite capture my interest.
Rated 09 Sep 2007
75
83rd
Not quite as mind-blowing or emotionally staggering as other Herzog films, Fitzcarraldo is still an excellent depiction of a brilliant, avaricious, insane man whose insatiable appetite for accomplishing the impossible -- railroads and operas in the effing jungle! -- manifests itself in one profoundly unsound idea after another. It's a wonder that a film of such nearly misguided magnitude was even made in the first place; Herzog took his vision insanely seriously, even for him.
Rated 21 Oct 2007
90
88th
The early portion of the film moves pretty slowly, but the film gets progressively better throughout, and the final hour is crushingly beautiful. This, for me, is the quintessential Herzog film, the terrible mystery of nature and the beautiful limitation of humanity on full display.
Rated 27 Jan 2008
4
83rd
Wow, they did it! They really did it!
Rated 02 Mar 2008
73
56th
# 543
Rated 19 Mar 2008
90
90th
Based on a semi-conscious viewing.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
84
92nd
Hypnotic, yet lacking in depth.
Rated 24 May 2008
92
98th
Watching the boat go up and down that hill and seeing what went into it and then seeing what happens afterwards is, to me, a complete movie experience.
Rated 26 Jun 2008
85
98th
A film made by a mad man about a mad man who is acted by a mad man, it makes for fantastic viewing.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
6
95th
The overwhelming magnitude of this story registers with something deep inside me.
Rated 04 Dec 2008
88
97th
Amazing story, incredibly inspirational, beautifully shot.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
71
42nd
575
Rated 25 Jan 2009
88
66th
Herzog and Kinski, that's all you need to know.
Rated 10 Apr 2009
100
93rd
A strange and brilliant film centring on the hero's successful attempt to drag his massive boat from one river to another.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
86
82nd
Although the first half drags just a bit, the second half is some of the most amazing stuff ever put on film. The boat-over-mountain section is unlike anything I've ever seen, and really exemplifies Herzog's unflinching commitment to the medium and to his own visions. Quite interesting.
Rated 04 Nov 2009
87
97th
My favorite Herzog and Kinski movie.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
70
40th
600
Rated 08 Feb 2010
30
3rd
I just cannot relate to that picture. I enjoyed Aguirre, but this movie is boring as hell. Maybe I need to review it some time. You clearly notice that this picture has no intention as Herzog himself admitted.
Rated 25 Mar 2010
9
91st
Herzog knows how to document, and Kinski knows how to portray. That's all that needs to be said.
Rated 14 Apr 2010
65
69th
Another awe inspiring movie about dreamers from the veritably insane Werner Herzog.
Rated 08 Jul 2010
98
98th
It's not quite as good as Aguirre, but not much of anything is.
Rated 29 Jul 2010
8
88th
Comparisons with 'Aguirre' are unavoidable here, and it falls short, but what it does is still etched in the mind. The difference here is that Herzog, whilst embodying the bizarre and the illusions of grandeur of mankind, adds some optimism and bombast (that is, if you believe that the ending was 'real' and not a death-bed dream state). In doing so, he loses some of his poignancy, but only just... the scenes here are still as beautiful and full of vision as ever.
Rated 14 Sep 2010
75
51st
Massively ambitious film (the production of the film being even more so than the story it's actually based on!), but in the end it all feels like it was just to please a narcissist. At least the narcissist was Klaus Kinski.
Rated 17 Sep 2010
96
95th
I honestly don't have the words to describe what I felt while watching this. One thing is true, I'll never ever forget it.
Rated 13 Oct 2010
80
68th
The ending is so fucked. He didn't give a shit about the rubber. He's happy.
Rated 25 Oct 2010
85
57th
Aguirre was soul-crushing madness, Fitzcarraldo is heart-warming madness. Through the journey to accomplish a dream Herzog takes the viewer through lush Amazon forest, the whirling rapids of a river, and the majestic sight of a boat being dragged over a slope by dozens of natives. It's all beautiful to look at, but unlike Aguirre the characters aren't as compelling, the action not as satisfying, and the pace is rather slow. Despite that, it's still Herzog and meets his general bar in quality.
Rated 18 Nov 2010
85
93rd
Utterly insane but beautiful in execution. I much preferred this to Aguirre, from the beginning conceit to that amazing set piece to the film's bitter sweet ending. A film about ambition that is incredibly ambitious.
Rated 09 Jan 2011
98
86th
5* its great!
Rated 10 Jan 2011
84
94th
Nice Movie
Rated 17 Jan 2011
86
83rd
85.625
Rated 25 Mar 2011
95
88th
A companion piece to Aguirre, except this time man seems to be doing a little better in his struggle against nature. Notice that no matter how monumental Fitzcarraldo's successes, his ultimate accomplishments appear petty next to the sheer majesty of his dreams. Thus remains mankind's fate.
Rated 03 Oct 2011
95
93rd
The final scene of Fitzcarraldo deserves a place among the great final scenes, and its protagonist, among the great characters. Fitzcarraldo is ambitious, enthralling, and strangely uplifting, offering perspectives on art and passions that few other filmmakers have explored.
Rated 18 Nov 2011
70
53rd
The boat grinding up the hill is a wonderfully rich image, but the film around it ultimately didn't move me.
Rated 30 Nov 2011
76
52nd
#476
Rated 17 Feb 2012
10
93rd
Ambition, devotion, taking pride in one's passions, defying obstacles with creativity and courage, embodied in extremities by Fitzgerald and Herzog.
Rated 28 Feb 2012
83
71st
I'm not sure why Herzog's Aguirre gets so much more love than this movie (other than its cool-to-like factor), especially with regards to Kinski's performance. He's better here.
Rated 12 Mar 2012
80
87th
This movie is total madness in a great way, it leaves some long lasting images and emotions.
Rated 22 Apr 2012
91
85th
Languid, mesmerising epic (in the truest sense of the word) forms the ultimate metaphor for film-making (along with its making of BURDEN OF DREAMS.) Kinski is extraordinarily charismatic as the loony Fitzcarraldo, and the sheer muscularity and physicality of Herzog's film-making is quite over powering at times. A one-of-a-kind film from a uniquely distinctive film-maker.
Rated 09 May 2012
85
86th
The best movie I have ever seen about a short fused philanthropist building an opera house in the middle of the Peruvian jungle!
Rated 15 Jul 2012
65
41st
This didn't grab me. Kinski is a good lead, but while the film's premise is interesting, the plot is not.
Rated 08 Aug 2012
85
59th
Pretty damn cool, especially because, y'know, they actually carried the boat over the fucking mountain. Kinski is a powerhouse. It wasn't as interesting as Aguirre to me, probably because I had never seen anything like Aguirre when I first watched it, while Fitzcarraldo is quite a bit similar. You know what I mean? It's less of a "wow, this is unique" situation.
Rated 17 Sep 2012
87
84th
How this movie was done?!? What an incredible endeavour of the human spirit! Congrats, Herr Herzog. Probably Kinski's character osbsession is no match to Herzog own obsession in making this movie.
Rated 08 Oct 2012
80
89th
quite a trip indeed. the final scene had me smiling all the way through it. while it, in truth, is a crazy venture (both in filming it and in the script) it doesnt quite reach those sublime heights I had hoped. still a mesmerizing view.
Rated 19 Oct 2012
70
81st
The story cuts a lot of corners which makes the journey look too easy. The result has great imagery but is nowhere near the atmosphere of Aguirre.
Rated 26 Feb 2013
91
93rd
This is the one movie we'll show our grandkids, (and Goodfellas, perhaps) who don't know what movies were like, when there was no digitalfilmaking. This isn't nostalgic. Digitalfilmmaking will produce a lot of great movies by just being digital. But 1982, you needed to pull a ship over a mountain, when you wanted to shoot a ship, that is pulled over a mountain. You feel every fanatic pore Herzogs, and his insane urge for this view. This movie is more than a movie, it is an experience.
Rated 23 Mar 2013
95
80th
Insane but true story. The Kinski-Herzog duo perhaps at its highest point. Also, a good excuse to ogle Claudia Cardinale. If you like the movie, there is a documentary about the making, "Burden of Dreams". And yes, they did drag the ferry over the hill in real life.
Rated 24 Jun 2013
70
42nd
opera, opera hayranligi, gemi, kauçuk, nehir, nehir yolculugu, peru, amazon, mürettebat, yerliler, kizilderililer, gemiyi karadan yürütmek (Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972) filmine çok benziyor. Modernize olmus hali gibi. fakat daha sürükleyici. Amazon ortasina büyük bir opera binasi yapmak isteyen Fitzgerald kaynak bulmak için sahipsiz bir araziyi kullanmaya karar verir. İki nehrin yaklastigi alandan gemisini yürütecektir.
Rated 22 Jul 2013
85
74th
I was expecting something far darker, having seen the other three Herzog/Kinski films and knowing of Kinski's legendarily horrible behavior on set. It's surprisingly light and uplifting, and the last hour or so is nothing short of magical.
Rated 10 Aug 2013
100
85th
Brilliant and brilliantly mad, Fitzcarraldo represents what passion for film is all about.
Rated 05 Oct 2013
86
87th
86.000
Rated 23 Oct 2013
11
99th
Those who favor Aguirre to this are insane. This is a monster of a movie and, from what I've seen, far and away Herzog's greatest achievement.
Rated 08 Nov 2013
5
70th
while watching the boat being pulled over the mountain, we can't help but notice that the film seems to reflect the making of the film itself, in that both fitzcarraldo and herzog have enormous and relentless ambition. i wasn't totally involved from the start but as soon as they get on the ship it was pretty cool.

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