Burden Of Dreams (DVD)

ah, but the problem is that not many joe schmoes will actually buy the darn thing.

You speak so highly of this film and yet, after reading the paragraph I have quoted, I was extremely surprised to see 'Burden of Dreams' denied the '10' that it ever so deserves.

"Les Blank???s ???Burden of Dreams??? is alternately funny and frightening, and certainly unforgettable. If we must call it a ???making of??? film, let???s at least call it the ???Citizen Kane??? of ???making of??? films. ???Burden of Dreams??? is one of the best films by one of the best of all American filmmakers. If you???re at all interested in the process of filmmaking, and the incredible and unforeseen circumstances filmmakers have to deal with in their profession, don???t miss this one. It???s a gem."

Keep in mind I am in no way critizing your review, quite the opposite indeed, I loved it. And moreso, I faithfully read every review you write, I am simply wondering if you could list a few more films that you would have given a '10' and/or why this film falls short of such a merit.

Thanks,

Kurtis

Do you think that you perhaps could provide a "top five" of Werner Herzog films as you did while reviewing Fritz Lang's "M" (I've noticed there's a lack of reviews on Herzog films). I thought providing such a list was a great way to give readers who have very little awareness of Fritz Lang a quick history lesson of his work and which films to look out for. After all, sometimes it can be difficult to find reviews on Lang's earlier works.

On another note, have you seen "Grizzly Man"? I plan on seeing this coming weekend and I'm quite anxious to see my first Werner Herzog film on the big screen.

Thanks again,

Kurtis

The rating system isn't my favorite feature of each review - I'd rather not try to put a number or a star rating on a film and just focus on the meat of the review: analysis.

I waivered between a 9 and 10 and the honest answer is that I gave it a 9 because I had given out a few 10s recently and knew I had a few more coming up ("M", "Au Hasard Balthazar", "L'Argent") and thought "Well, Burden isn't QUITE in a group with them." Plus I was afraid people would stop taking my "10"s seriously. Hey, I cover some great studios that put out great films: I'm a lucky guy! Had I been reviewing the film in a month with more lackluster reviews, I would have given it a 10. It's arbitrary. Let's call it a 9.5.

I had the chance to see "Grizzly Man" earlier this year. It is very good though quite a change for Herzog. The topic and protagonist is typically Herzogian (he compares Tim Treadwell to Klaus Kinski at one point) but Herzog takes a much more mainstream documentary approach, perhaps because he was working for Lion's Gate and wanted a theatrical release. Much of the power of the film comes from Treadwell's own footage: he is a remarkable performer and the kind of character Herzog would have had to create had he not been real. I don't think it is one of Herzog's best films, but it is still probably my favorite film of 2005 so far. Many of Herzog's best documentaries are shorter in running length (most are 45 min. for German TV) and I think "Grizzly Man" is a bit stretched, but not too much.

The reason there are only a few Herzog films is that I have only been reviewing here for a year. That's not too far off, actually. Most of his films were released on DVD by Anchor Bay in the late 90s and 2000. I don't think we had anyone covering them at the time.

I have reviewed several Herzog or Herzog-related DVDs that have been released in the last year: Burden, Signs of Life, Land of Silence and Darkness and Incident at Loch Ness. Later this year, New Yorker will be releasing a DVD with 3 of his short docs and I can't wait to review that one!


My Top Herzog Films:

Stroszek
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
Fata Morgana
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Land of Silence and Darkness
La Soufriere
Even Dwarfs Started Small
How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck?
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

I'll stop at ten.

Thank you for your kind words. So you're the guy who reads my reviews. I was wondering who that was.

Great review Chris! I think this documentary is boring and pointless. I am watching it right now and I am having tough time to understand why this movie is created at first place. I understand the parallel drawn by this movie and and Fitzcarraldo by Herzog. Is it because Herzog created it and he is a daredevil or something else? Or Maybe this movie is for only the fans. Am I missing something?!

--Ranjan

Ranjan,

I"m glad you took the time to watch the movie, but sorry you didn't enjoy it.

I'm not quite sure what you're asking, though. Blank's documentary details the nearly inconcievable obstacles Herzog faces to make his film, many of which he brought on himself. Herzog emerges as a fascinating character: equal parts Sisyphus, Don Quixote and P.T. Barnum. The man faces repeated attacks by rival tribes, plane crashes and years of mechanical setbacks all to make a darned movie. The toughest thing anyone has to do on a Hollywood set is when the poor assistant has to find a way to score cheap crack and hookers for the director.

Not that you ever need anything more than the great reviews you will find at DVDTown, but you might also want to check out Roger Ebert's excellent review of Burden of Dreams for more insight.

Chris,

Thanks for your feedback! This movie is basically chronicles of hardship faced while filming Fitzcarraldo. I have never seen Fitzcarraldo so I was lost when watching BoD. What I am asking is - This movie might not be the right place to start for people like me. I have never seen any of Herzog's movies so I have little understanding on his filming style. As it appears that this movie serves as a companion to Fitzcarraldo. It is difficult to understand BoD if you haven't watched Fitzcarraldo.

--Ranjan

Actually, Burden of Dreams was released in theaters and on PBS before Fitzcarraldo came out and was a big hit. In fact, many critics later expressed disappointment with Fitzcarraldo after they had been so pumped up by the documentary.

Thanks again, Chris, for sharing your vast knowledge of Herzog's films. I recently watched Woyzeck and thought that the beginning 20 minutes and the final 20 minutes were wonderfully entertaining. And while I stongly believe the entire film was extremely well executed by Herzog, the film just didn't quite enthrall me or even affect me the way his other pictures have. I revisited Aguirre fearing I had lost my connection to Herzog's work, but was relieved to discover I was once again astonished by this haunting and dreamlike tale. I am I just missing something. What were your thoughts on Woyzeck? I believe that one must be very disciplined and patient with this piece. I also will be seeing Invincible in the near future. If you could tell me where Woyzeck and Invincible rank in terms of the best Herzog films, I would greatly appreciate it. Any other insights would be great, too.

Thanks,

Kurtis

Paul Cronin, who edited the book "Herzog on Herzog", states that "Woyczek" is his favorite Herzog film. I like it, but I can't see it placing in the upper echelon of Herzog's works. Its best asset (besides Kinski's presenve) is the work of the superb Eva Mattes, one of the great actresses of New German cinema; she won Best Actress at Cannes for this movie and deservedly so.

"Woyczek" is the closest Herzog has come to theatre (aside from the operas he has directed) and I love his use of long master shots to tell the entire film; Herzog seldom uses much shot/reverse shot cutting but here he uses none at all (or almost none). The actual story (an unfinished play) is somewhat less than gripping, but there are some unforgettable scenes (the opening credit sequence, the sequence in the kitchen, the death scene) that make the movie work.


I like "Invincible" quite a bit, perhaps more than I should, and it's largely because I think Jouko Ahola is yet another inspired casting choice by Herzog. Tim Roth, however, doesn't quite seem to belong - it is weird to see a "normal" actor in a Herzog film and it doesn't quite seem to work, much like Donald Sutherland in "Scream of Stone" seems out of place. "Invincible" is straight-forward and almost downright naive, which I think explains why many critics were lukewarm to it. I suppose "Invincible" is lesser Herzog, but that's still a good thing.

Chris,

Are you planning on reviewing "The White Diamond" and "Wheel of Time" next month when they are released? I will be seeing "The White Diamond" in early October when it come to the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Kurtis

Chris,

I finally finished Burden of Dreams. I have to say that last 10 minutes where Herzog express his frustration with filming Fitzcarraldo and then his poetic vision of filmaking, was just awesome. It made me realise that he is a bold filmaker who will do anything to complete what he desires. As a result of this, I bought both the Herzog boxsets to see all his movie. And after seeing Wrath of God, I am sure I will like style as I wade through all the movies in the set. Wrath of God was good that I was thinking about the movie when it finished.

--Ranjan

Ranjan,

I'm glad you ended up enjoying Burden of Dreams. That's fantastic that you're now a fan of Herzog. Aguirre, the Wrath of God was quite the amazing and haunting film. I look forward to your reaction to Fitzcarraldo, having seen Burden of Dreams first. Your reaction to Stroszek should be just as interesting.

Kurtis

Kurtis,

I doubt I will be posting reviews for the theatrical release of either film but once they come out on DVD, I will be all over them, I assure you.


Ranjan,

Wow, you certainly took the Herzog plunge! I hope you aren't disappointed. I'm glad you found something to enjoy in Burden of Dreams as well. I remember I first watched "Burden" when I was much younger and had no idea who Herzog was - I couldn't decide if he was a nut or a pretentious jerk. Later, I watched the same scenes and found myself really moved by the passion and dedication he puts into his craft.

I imagine you will find some movies you love, some you dislike and probably a few you will just be confused by at first. Herzog is a singular filmmaker (though he was influenced by the New German movement more than he likes to admit) and some of the films, esp. "Even Dwarfs" and "Fata Morgana" are just... unique.

Chris,

Admit it--you like Herzog because you are a jerk, too.

Eddie

Chris,

Both DVD's will be released next month (from Wellspring), which is why I was asking you. It does seem odd the the DVD's will be released at the same time the films will be showing in theatres. But, I'm not complaining.

Sorry for any confusion,

Kurtis

Kurtis ,

I watched The White Diamond yesterday. I thought it was really good. Some really good shots. Touching movie though. I also watched Woyzeck. I thought it was good but little too cold. I mean the characters didn't care about each other and eventually I didn't care for anyone of them. Probably thats what Herzog wanted.

--Ranjan

I will be reviewing White Diamond and Wheel of Time sometime in the next two weeks. I didn't think either of them were top tier Herzog, but White Diamond did have some lovely moments.

Ranjan,

I liked 'The White Diamond' as well. I also feel the same way you do about 'Woyzeck;' although, I enjoyed it much more the second time around. I thought both Kinski and Mattes were fantastic. The opening sequence and the final scene were brilliant. I loved the score as well. I'd also recommend seeing 'My Best Fiend' for a brief insight into Kinski's working relationship with Mattes during 'Woyzeck.' The insights were quite fascinating and I now have a different opinion of Kinski.

Chris,

I'm looking forward to your reviews.

Kurtis