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The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
8.4
/10
987 Ratings

THE GREAT ECSTASY OF WOODCARVER STEINER

Die große Ekstase des Bildschnitzers Steiner

Directed by Werner Herzog
West Germany, 1974
Documentary, Short

Synopsis

Filmmaking and ski jumping are both death-defying professions. In 1972 and 1977 Steiner was the world ski-flying champion and an Olympic Gold winner. Steiner is the quintessential Herzogian, an obsessed, super-confident hero, but he is someone who knows his limits.

Synopsis

Filmmaking and ski jumping are both death-defying professions. In 1972 and 1977 Steiner was the world ski-flying champion and an Olympic Gold winner. Steiner is the quintessential Herzogian, an obsessed, super-confident hero, but he is someone who knows his limits.

Our take

Daredevil Werner Herzog creates high drama from ski-jumping in this soaring psychological study of Walter Steiner, a like-minded thrill-seeker chasing a world record. A perfect meeting of the minds, The Great Ecstasy… is now considered by the director as one of his most important and enduring films.