A great director's daunting filmography: Any Werner Herzog Fans Here?

This director fascinates me, but I have to confess I've seen very little of his work; FITZCARRALDO, AGUIRRE: Wrath of God, and a documentary that Herzog made about Klaus Kinski called MY BEST FRIEND. But I've also read the absolutely stupendous "Herzog on Herzog" edited by Paul Cronin. It's so rare to read the interviews of a director with such insight into what he's really doing. Schrader and Cassavetes are the only other writer/directors I can think of who come close in terms of self-comprehension.

My question is: Herzog's filmography is enormous. What would your recommendations be?

I know I want to see COBRA VERDE, although I understand its success is questionable. And NOSFERATU as well.

But I know almost nothing of his later work. It's a daunting filmography.

Any guidance with respect to this guy's films would be appreciated. (I have a limited budget, so I want to make it count. Otherwise, I'd try to get all of his films :-) )

Look him up there and find lots of bizarre stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAHETR6-TuM

(and as a short to go with it :rofl:):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jgdf2DWbtYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJuaZKBABO0

Grizzly Man is a fascinating doc too.

Try the local library, or get Blockbuster or Netflix online. It doesn't cost much and the selections are usually great. If your library has dvds that's a great way to go, I got Aguirre there a few years ago.

I will check out Netflix.

Never heard of Grizzly Man. I will look into it.

Appreciated.

Yes Blockbuster is also online just like Netflix too, it sort of depends on which kind of films or other viewing interests you have on who has the better choices. I just go with Blockbuster because if you return the ones you get in the mail at the store you get even more movies, but either way they're both good for online rentals.

Grizzly Man is about Timothy Treadwell who always stayed in a bear reserve in Alaska and was eventually mauled and killed. Herzog took all of Treadwell's personal footage and weaved it in and out of his own narrative of the story and made an really amazing and touching documentary.

Though like you am neophyte. I am looking forward to learning more through your post.
Thanks.:hi:

another wonderful film by herzog is a german film, about kasper hauser, which has been released under various names, i think in the 70s the release i saw was something along the lines of "everyman for himself and god against all," another title would be, "the enigma of kasper hauser"


kasper hauser was the young man who was apparently raised in a basement or whatever, well, you will just have to see the film -- very moving, i think of this story often (it is based on a true story)


on edit -- grizzly man is also based on a true story and the true film of timothy treadwell who was killed by the grizzly, no other filmmaker would have handled this material with such kindness and good taste -- and yet such tension -- this is a story that means a great deal to those of us who hike and get out in the wilderness

Ever since I was a film studies major (which didn't last long) in college. I would recommend "The Enigma of Kasper Hauser" and "Stroszek" as earlier examples of his work that helped cement his reputation.

a little play on words there. Speaking of words, try to find and see "How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck", a documentary he did about cattle auctioneers. It is highly entertaining!

(edit: it is available on dvd with 2 other documentaries he did)

I've only seen Aguirre, but it was great.

as a college student taking a film class. Need to watch it again now that I'm older...

"Aguirre" and "Fitzcarraldo" are both brilliant, but I would also recommend "Stroszek" and "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser," both from the '70s.

I haven't seen too much of his later work, but I do have "Rescue Dawn" coming up on my Netflix queue.

In addition to your current viewings:

"The Wild Blue Yonder" w/ Brad Dourif. A weak sci-fi story w/ a strong environmental message.

"Encounters at the End of the World" A great and unconventional documentary about Antarctica.

"Rescue Dawn" and the companion "Little Dieter Needs to Fly"

And so many more. Netflix really helps in the "low-cost, seeing which ones you like" dept.

He's a great director - have fun.