(One) Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes

In 1972 Werner Herzog made the movie, Aguirre, Der Zor Gottes which translates in English as 'Aguirre – The wrath of God'. Like most Werner Herzog movies its main character has impossible dreams and inhuman character both in terms of depravity and dreams. Klaus Kinski who plays Aguirre has played the part so well that you start disliking Klaus himself instead of the character. It is rumoured that Klaus and Herzog completely disliked each other but that didn't stop Herzog to make movies with him as his leading man.

Aguirre is an almost true account of historical characters. Though there is no direct source of information on what went on during that journey it seems a very plausible account. As the Incan empire fell and the legend of El Dorado became very prominent a lot of expeditions were taken by Spanish Conquistadors to find the mythical city. The story starts with the expedition of Pizzaro, which he is forced to abandon and move back. Though Pizzaro ended up being one of the great conquerors at the same level or maybe greater than Cortes, his first attempt was a disaster.

However, Pizzaro instead of immediately moving back sends a small team led by 'Don Pedro de Urusa' to go further on rafts and return in a specific time if they do not find El Dorado. It is very clear from the beginning the Aguirre doesn't like Urusa and very soon wounds him and charges him with treason to control this expedition. Aguirre is motivated to find the El Dorado and wouldn't let anything stop him. He even uses a canon to destroy a raft with fellow team members which is stuck and slowing them down. Urusa's wife and Aguirre's daughter are the only female members on this trip. Once in command his degradation as a human and his desire to rise takes control. He takes the raft with people who are loyal to him and moves further down the river.

The movie though sometimes moves very slowly has no real plot. You immediately know where the movie is heading and as an historical account you also know the fate at the end; however it is gripping because of the characters. I was a little disappointed when Urusa is rendered useless pretty early in the movie and conflict of two totally different characters is not shown at all.

Though most actors play their roles very well but Kinski as Aguirre dominates everyone and hence everyone else in the movie seems to be just a supporting cast. Helena Rojo, was a Mexican superstar and she plays Urusa's wife and in the movie she wears disgust for Aguirre on her sleeves. But one of my favourite characters of the movie is accidently appointed puppet king (of nothing but imagined conquered land) played by Peter Berling, his gluttony is as haunting as Kinski's greed.

The movie ends with some very powerful scenes with monkeys creating havoc on the raft.

This is an adventure and also I must say that not understanding German wasn't a big deal. The dialogues were simple and emotions, faces and subtitles make sure that language isn't your biggest problem.

My favourite scenes:

1. The opening scene where Pizzaro's party is descending the Andes to get to the river.
   
2. A long shot with absolutely no background music where the team is trying to hear noises coming from the forests.
   

My favourite quotes:

1. I am the wrath of God, who else is with me?
   

My rating:

Mood: When you want to appreciate good cinema.