Review(s): DVD Burden of Dreams - Criterion Collection
compelling documentary about one of the best documentarians
Though he has long been admired for his rigorous and almost ritualistic approach to filmmaking, and while he has created a number of unforgettable narrative films, it is likely that Herzog will be remembered for his unique approach to documentary. In fact, in hindsight, what appeals most about his narrative films is the documentary elements -- where reality interjects itself. Consider Heart of Glass, for example: the narrative is interesting but obscure, but what is stunning is the document of an entire crew of non-actors, ordinary villagers, who have submitted to be filmed under hypnosis. Or take Stroszek. It's a very interesting story about the dream that America represents for some Europeans, about violence and about loneliness and relationships, but what makes it unforgettable is the scene towards the end of live chickens who have been trained to take part in a very bizarre set of performances in a roadside attraction, and the way that this real element comments on the narrative. This is even more true of Fitzcarraldo (whose making is documented in this film), where the insane ambition of the main character -- to bring opera to the natives -- and the manner of realizing this -- by dragging a massive boat over a mountain in order to make a fortune by accessing remote rubber trees -- where the portrayal of this insane ambition of the character is made much more powerful by the realization that it actually had to be done by the filmmakers.
Given that, it is fitting that Herzog himself should be documented, since his is as large a life as the lives he captures in his films. Here he is documented in the process of making a film about a man who has monumental but bizarre dreams and achieves them; and of course the process of making the film mirrors its subject. One of my favorite scenes from the film has Herzog rejecting vigorously the idea that "nature is beautiful" and yet insisting that its ugliness, the fecund horror of nature, is precisely what he loves about it (in spite of his better judgment). Hier ist ein autentischer Mensch!
Another reviewer compared this film unfavorably with Hearts of Darkness. It's true that there aren't as many "oh my God I can't believe that ..." type moments in this film -- but in part that is because Coppola was in it over his head and just barely made it through alive and sane (and of course with two stunning films to show for it: Apocalypse Now and his wife's document of his own descent). What we see in this film is that in just such an insane scenario Herzog is not in over his head because he is precisely in his element. (Still, I wish somebody would give a Criterion type treatment to "Hearts of Darkness" and "Apocalypse Now": imagine a dvd set with both versions of Apocalypse now and "Hearts of Darkness" as a special feature!)
Some great extras come with the Criterion set, including a wonderful and fitting little documentary (especially for Errol Morris fans) called "Werner Herzog eats his shoe" in which Herzog fulfills a promise to Errol Morris by, well, eating his shoe.
Interesting, but not as impressive as it once seemed
Following the astonishing trail of disasters Werner Herzog faced making 'Fitzcarraldo' on location in Peru - including tribal wars, a seriously ill Jason Robards' departure after 40% of the film had been shot, one ship running aground due to low rainfalls and another obstinately refusing to move up the mountain - Les Blank's famous and once groundbreaking documentary has dated badly.
It's an excellent portrait of Herzog's obsession and the growing madness surrounding the shoot, but it's more a catalogue of catastrophes rather than a candid view of the shoot: although unused footage was shot of Kinski's tantrums, the star and director's relationship is all but ignored and you tend to get the feel of a superior travelog giving the official version (a lot of the other real crises happen offscreen). There's plenty of absurdity on view, such as prostitutes being brought to the native workers camp on the advice of the local Catholic missionary, but 'Hearts of Darkness' it ain't. But you can't help but admire the way that, unlike Fitzcarraldo, who falls prey to the dreams of the natives he thinks are working for him, Herzog manages to cling on to his dreams and ultimately triumph, incorporating each new on-set disaster into his film.
No complaints about Criterion's DVD treatment - the extended theatrical version of the documentary in a beautiful print with commentary, a new 39-minute interview with Herzog, a couple of deleted scenes that were used in Herzog's own doc 'My Best Fiend,' trailer, copious stills gallery and a book with substantial extracts from production journals. An excellent companion piece to 'Fitzcarraldo,' but it probably has less appeal to those not so interested in the film.
The Definitive "Making Of" Documentary
By any standards, "Burden of Dreams" is unforgettable. It's a documentary about director Werner Herzog's attempts to make his film "Fitzcarraldo." A difficult project, Herzog, filming in Peruvian jungles, actually had his native workers pull a steamship over a mountain (with a 70% chance of catastrophe), among other insanities. Also on display are scenes of Jason Robarbs and Mick Jagger in "Fitzcarraldo" before they had to quite (fascinating, and an indication of how different the movie might have been if Klaus Kinski hadn't starred). As mad as he is, Herzog somehow comes across as someone to root for, and "Burden of Dreams" actually winds up being a more interesting portrait of crazed determination than "Fitzcarraldo." The DVD from the Criterion Collection lives up to their mighty standards. The 1.33:1 image looks surprisingly good for a documentary, with only a bit of grain and very few scratches. Of the many extras, the best is the short film "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe," a bizarre 20-minutes of clearly displeased Herzog doing just that (to fulfill a bet). It's quite funny, in an odd way, and it's use of the song "Ol' Whisky Shoes" is memorable. Also included is a commentary by director Les Blank, editor Maureen Gosling, and Herzog; a new interview with Herzog (he doesn't seem to have changed much); photo galleries; deleted scenes, which include Klaus Kinski going on a profane temper tantrum (perversely fascinating); and a trailer. Interestingly, a booklet of Gosling and Blank's diaries from the "Fitzcarraldo" set come with the package. It's almost enough to forgive the ludicrously high Criterion price tag.
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