I just asked this question to a person on this site;
“There’s no harm in starting with the best: Fitzcarraldo. Make sure that your first 3-5 Herzog films give you a sense of his variety. Fit in a Kinski, a Bruno S., a doc, etc.”
Les Blank’s Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe is a great introduction into Herzog the man.
That’s yours truly that Brady is quoting there. Yeah, I think Fitzcarraldo is a solid way to start, and while I consider it his best, he has many, many great films (a startling 11 masterpieces by my count). To provide a more in-depth answer, following my guideline of exposing yourself to his variety, here is an ideal first 5:
Fitzcarraldo
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser
Grizzly Man
Lessons of Darkness
The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
This way you get a taste of the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s and current work while also seeing a film starring Kinski, Bruno S., a documentary, and the more experimental side of the man’s work. For further reference, here is a list I made which ranks his films (you really can’t go wrong with #34 and better).
I also echo RhodaPenmark’s recommendation while also putting forth the suggestion of watching Les Blank’s Burden of Dreams, which documents some of the behind-the-scenes happenings of Fitzcarraldo.
I’ve heard mixed things about Bad Lieutenant, but I have a soft spot for Nicolas Cage, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
Putting Fitzcarraldo at the top of my Netflix queue, under The Holy Mountain. Thanks!
Also…any reason why there’s no Herzog on Criterion? I was kinda surprised at that.
Difficult to acquire, just like Lynch.
Stroszek is great. I don’t think Fitzcarroldo is all that good, it’s overhyped because of the backstory behind the production.
There was Burden of Dreams which is kind of ‘Herzog on Criterion’. Out of print probably…
I’m surprised no mentions of Aguirre yet. I need to see Stroszek and Fitzcarraldo, of course.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God, based on my experience.
Herzog’s whole ecstatic truth search struck me clean and clear to me when I saw it very young… before reading any explanations of his cinema. Precisely because it’s the obvious example (and a very comprehensive one, regarding Herzog’s work and style), I would go for it.
Second choice: La Souffriere.
I would trust Adam Cook with this one. He’s seen everything Herzog’s made and has done a fantastic job of managing him in this year’s Director’s Cup.
And Fitzcarraldo is still my favorite, too ;)
Thanks, House. Although, I cannot take credit for seeing all of his films… Game in the Sand, an early short, doesn’t seem to be available anywhere and The Transformation of the World Into Music is only available on DVD w/ english subs in Australia (I have a rip of it on my hard drive w/o subs, mocking me everyday…).
Oh, and Aguirre is a great starter also.
Oh. Then I take it all back. This man knows nothing.
:P
I don’ t think anybody’s seen Game in the Sand besides Herzog, two children and a disturbed chicken…
Sanjuro, I think you could be right. That being said, it doesn’t make it any easier for me to deal with not having seen it…
I remember that chicken…
AGUIRRE
STEINER
BELLS FROM THE DEEP
LESSONS OF DARKNESS
BAD LIEUTENANT
Aguirre, The Wrath of God
Stroszek
The White Diamond
I agree with everyone who says Aguirre (which I feel is his best). The documentaries are kind of uneven. Herzog is like a cold lake. It is just best to throw yourself in.
Try Aguirre first. To me, that is his best one. Among other things, it influenced Apocalypse Now.
i started with Aguirre, and it’s not near a favorite for me. i think he shines with his documentaries, as he provides an atmosphere he cannot seem to recreate in his feature films – with this, i imagine ‘Lessons of Darkness’ or ‘Close Encounters at the End of the World’ being outstanding starting points; However, Fitzcarraldo is my favorite of his – it’s an inspiring, touching piece of work. Stroszek is great, short, and simple. it gives a proper intro to his weird side.
ultimately, if you like off-kilter directors who are immediately inspired by works of Herzog (a la David Lynch or Harmony Korine), you can assume to like most of Herzog’s work as a whole.
I started with Stroszek. I think Herzog never found a more compelling subject than Bruno S.
Christian Depken
Been meaning to see something by Herzog for a while, but his body of work is frankly daunting. Any suggestions for an intro?