This film reaches levels of profundity that I have come to expect from Herzog's documentaries. The man can take any subject and make it a compelling metaphor for mankind's dreams, aspirations, and failings. Ski-jumping, who knew?

Not enough woodcarving, but eminently fascinating. Herzog sure can choose his subjects well, of course his style is a big part making those subjects interesting.

Werner Herzog's Wide World of Sports. More specifically, Herr Steiner and his very dangerous hobby. An interesting study of what Sebastian Junger calls "bravery without heroism", and done with Herzog's usual fine musical score and other artistic touches that seem far too elegant for a sports documentary

Skis. Slow Mo. Herzog. Epic.

It's usually pretty surprising how Herzog manages to keep your attention on stuff you may take no special interest in. Steiner is an interesting guy, and all the shots of him floating through the air are nice.

This is what I love about documentaries: take something I have no interest in and make me love it. Awesome stuff about an interesting guy. Loved the slow mo.

Herzog's portrait of "ski flier" Steiner is marked by some absolutely gorgeous slo-mo footage of his record breaking jumps (and crashes). His story about the raven he raised but was forced to put down after the bird was attacked by his flock once it was no longer able to fly was heartbreaking, and serves as an obvious metaphor for a man whose prodigious flying skills, combined with mounting pressure to attempt bigger, more dangerous jumps, threaten his life and all that he loves, with every run.

Wow, this is some X-Games/Matt Hoffman ish 30 years prior. I also agree that, fuck woodcarving (to a degree), ski jumping is way crazier. Although, I do want to see a Werner doc about woodcarving. He would make it friggin' sweet.

People complain that it is about ski flying and not woodcarving (though I agree, a film about woodcarving would be interesting too)? You aren't into ski flying? Are you kidding me? Baffling comments, great film.

Surprisingly good documentary about a carpenter who ski's. The shots of Steiner doing his jumps were breathtaking. A good length, if it was longer than it was, than i wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.

I don't particularly care about ski-flying, and frankly Herzog doesn't do a hell of a lot with the material, but the film was interesting enough to hold my attention. I kind of wanted to hear more about the woodcarving. Nice Popul Vuh music, including some recycled bits from Aguirre.

Very powerful. The slow motion images of Steiner flying above the world were fantastic. The music by Popul Vuh was great (I think some of it was gleaned from the Aguirre soundtrack).

Some of the best documentaries ever made are Herzog's, and this is a prime example. Ski-jumping is truly blessed to have been picked out by him as he really gives it universal appeal. Herzog's genuine rush of excitement by the sport is infectious and Walter Steiner's testimonies speak not just for him but for the very state, familiar to many of us, of being alone on the very edge and surrounded by expectations.

Herzogs presents us a man who strives to become the best; slow motion sequences work extremely well with ski flying, and the music by Popol Vuh is perfect.

Nothing much to see here, move along.

The music was great as were Steiner's feats but I wasn't drawn into this one as I was with many other Herzog docs. I actually thought this was going to be about Woodcarving, I guess ski jumping is cool too.

Impressive early Herzog documentary in which he himself takes a backseat (as opposed to fx Grizzly Man), and lets the images, the sounds and words from Steiner lead each viewer to his or her thought process. Great slow-mo pictures, great music. A highly meditative work. In most other directors' hands a recipe for disaster, in Herzog's a cathartic experience. Not as good as Grizzly Man. But less will certainly do.

Beautiful slow motion that really takes ones breath away. The end scene with Steiner reminiscing about his Raven is quite moving.