Herzog’s films are widely available, so seeing them first could be wise. However, as blind buys go, I’d have no doubts about buying a Herzog boxset.
I’d go for the Klaus Kinski box first. I think it’s a slightly better introduction to Herzog if you are unfamiliar with his films. Nosferatu is in the Kinski set, although it’s not the best film they made together imo. I wasn’t too familiar with Herzog a few years ago and blind bought this set. And I’m happy I did.
Co-incidentally, I just got for Christmas the 2nd Herzog box set mentioned above. I am ecstatic (in the true Herzogian sense) to now have it, as I haven’t seen any of the films. I have seen the major Kinski films, so this is the set for me.
for under $60 you get 13 Herzog films including all of his essential work…no brainer to order both sets!
Get both.
I blind bought the Kinski set and thought it was great. One of my favorite movies is Aguirre: Wrath of God and I believe it was some of the inspiration for Apocalypse Now. At least, I think I heard that. A great story concerning madness. Fitzcarraldo is pretty good as well with the character’s lofty ambitions and Nosferatu is a very good remake. Cobra Verde is also very good film concerning slavery. Woyzeck I think is okay and I believe that one is based on a play and the documentary about Kinski is extremely entertaining and fascinating. The commentaries are very good as well with some very good facts about the films and filmmaking in general. I definitely think that it is worth the buy.
“One of my favorite movies is Aguirre: Wrath of God and I believe it was some of the inspiration for Apocalypse Now.”
No, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was the inspiration for both Aguirre and Apocalypse Now.
The second set, Patrick, my friend owns, and we haven’t had a complaint yet with what’s in it.
—PolarisDiB
Both sets are equally powerful, depending on the day and the mood.
You should buy both. Immediately. That goes for everyone, actually.
OK, maybe only that one if you’re hardcore like me.
AGUIRRE is my favorite Herzog overall, but I think the non-Kinski set might be more interesting overall, and all the Anchor Bay transfers look quite fine. This sale is pretty amazing.
“One of my favorite movies is Aguirre: Wrath of God and I believe it was some of the inspiration for Apocalypse Now.”
Yes. Coppola was inspired by AGUIRRE as well as Conrad’s work to make APOCALYPSE NOW. As a result of his admiration for AGUIRRE, he and Herzog became friends and entered into a kind of game of “extreme filmmaking” one-upsmanship that led from APOCALYPSE NOW’s incredible on-set difficulties to Herzog’s legendarily tortuous production of FITZCARRALDO.
“No, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was the inspiration for both Aguirre and Apocalypse Now.”
Yeah, they were definitely both inspired by Conrad too.
Buy it! buy it!
I blind bought both from Amazon’s 50% off arthouse sale recently. Currently, I am working my way through the Kinski set. So far I am very satisfied with my purchase.
I will never understand blind buying. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. Unless you have tons of cash to throw away, how can you justify buying anything without having seen it?
patrick
I received a 50$ amazon gift card for christmas and I was thinking about buying one or both of the Werner Herzog box sets as they are both on sale at amazon right now. They are:
http://www.amazon.com/Werner-Herzog-Klaus-Kinski-Legacy/dp/B00005YKXQ/ref=pd_ys_home_shvl_2
http://www.amazon.com/Werner-Herzog-Collection-Bruno-S/dp/B0001ZX0F6/ref=pd_ys_home_shvl_8
The only film of his I have ever seen was Nosferatu and that was some years ago so I don’t remember in too well. Can anyone tell me whether these box sets are worth a blind purchase or if I should wait to see some of the films first?