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Summary: In the 1950s, when Werner Herzog was 13, he was sharing an apartment with Klaus Kinski, an ego-maniacal live-wire. In an unabated, 48 hour fit of rage, Kinski destroyed every piece of furniture in sight. From this chaos, a beautiful albeit volatile partnership was born. In 1972, Herzog cast Kinski in Aguirre, The Wrath of God. Four more films would follow. In this personal documentary, Herzog traces the often violent up and downs of their relationship, revisiting Munich apartment where they first met - and thrashed, and the various locations of their films. (imdb)
There's a few surprisingly dull spots, and I wish there was more actual footage of Kinski on "set", but as a tribute to a mad genius, it works really well.
Surely the only doc where a noted filmmaker describes, in detail, how he nearly firebombed the house of his leading man. Well, until Spielberg makes a similar one about Shia LeBouf, maybe...what a collaboration those two have going on. Anyway, Herzog does his typically great job of illustrating the long and tumultuous partnership between himself and the maniacal Kinski through a myriad of interviews, clips and reminisces spawned by Herzog visiting the sites of some of their greatest triumphs.
Very interesting to see the ambivalent relationship between Herzog and Kinski which seems to be love or hatred but never something in between. Maybe this ambivalent nature of their relationships made it possble to draw an almost objective image of Kinski since Herzog observed either side of him. Of course, Herzog was not able to be objective concerning himself...within conflicts between them he usually sees himself in the right position. 26/07/09
Pretty much anything involving Klaus Kinski is guaranteed fascinating viewing, but that premise is pretty much what drives the entire documentary. Which is better than the usual hand-wringing and eulogizing, I guess, but still. It's more about Herzog's benevolent (yet thankfully detached) recollections of Kinski than about Kinski.
Herzog tells some stories here that are jaw-dropping. I won't ruin any of them here, but these are cases where reality is stranger than fiction. The director and the actor both come across as a little mad, which is great.
This is an insightful and entertaining documentary about a truly unique actor. Or more accurately, a unique actor/director duo. Herzog's continual and voluntary pairings with this crazed man speak hugely for Herzog's unmatched commitment to his films; he knew Kinski was the man his films needed; he just had to learn how to deal with- and often times take advantage of- his maniacal temper tantrums. It's quite entertaining seeing the behind the scenes footage of Kinski's intriguing dual nature.
As much a retrospective on the golden period of Herzog as it is on a tumultuous friendship. For some reason I find that disingenuous, with scenes of long monologues of Herzog describing his feelings of the jungle (from the excellent "Burden of Dreams") and only short snippets of the craziness that is Klaus Kinski (his Jesus speech needed more screentime). Also, Herzog asked the makers of Burden of Dreams not to use the footage of Kinski throwing a tantrum, and then used it himself. Disappointing
You get the feeling that in their own very strange way, these two understood each other better than anyone else could. The film certainly isn't perfect. At times Herzog seems more interested in talking about himself than talking about Kinski, ostensibly the subject of the film. But it's still a wonderfully personal piece and I highly recommend it.
Though there's really nothing special about this documentary on a whole you can't help but find yourself engrossed by this odd couple's relationship. If you're a fan of Herzog's work with Kinski you'd be a fool not to check this out, if only for nostalgia.
More than their bizzare relationship, this film portrays Klaus Kisnki's egomaniac, schizophrenic personality, using clips and fascinating behind-stage footage (the opening scene is excellent on so many levels and for so many reasons, showing Kinski at his best and worst), only shadowed by Herzog's insane ambition. I wonder if some parts aren't just made up, but still this is an emotional film about a simbiotic friendship and a chaotic rivalry between two people I deeply admire.
Good but needs more of Kinski himself! Besides a few fantastic archive footage we only see Kinski through clips of Herzog's films. The ending is fantastic though, nearly brought me to tears.
Herzog has a fascinating subject to work with -- Klaus Kinski -- but he frequently spoils it by going on irrelevant tangents... usually self-serving bits about himself and his movies. The documentary as a whole feels unfocused and disjointed. I wanted more archival footage (all of which is mesmerizing) and less blathering from the director.
A good documentary, and the interviews with all the old cast members were interesting. Especially the one with Eva Mattes. I don't mean to plagiarise jimmynmu's review, but the ending nearly brought me to tears as well. If your a fan of Kinski and Herzog, this is worth a look. If your not, don't bother.
Overall this is a very good documentary, and certainly important to Herzog. I felt that there were too many clips from various Herzog/Kinski films, but altogether this is a very interesting and entertaining film. The opening and closing scenes are fantastic.
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