It's interesting how front and center Herzog is here. He stands in front of the camera during most of the interviews, always seeming anxious to get his words in. And unlike most of Herzog's docs, this one doesn't go out of its way to make the subject especially interesting. It's actually a pretty sterile representation of the events, and if you don't like Wagner or opera music in general, you probably won't like this. It'll appeal to two types of people: Wagner fans and Herzog completists.

Very interesting to compare Herzog and Syberberg on Bayreuth.

A sort of Wiseman-eque look behind the scenes (literally) of a Wagner production at the Bayreuth Festival. Except Herzog is well and truly front and centre with the Wagners (past and present). Herzog is in his element here. The most compelling moments are the interviews conducted by Herzog with those involved in the production (which includes himself). The ghosts of Wagner and Hitler are ever present.

Some Herzog-ian flourishes on top of a fairly pedestrian and typical early-to-mid-nineties TV arts program. It held my interest despite my lack of interest in opera, but it's by no means required viewing.