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Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, David Perez Espinosa, Miguel Ángel Fuentes ... see more see more... , Paul Hittscher , Jason Robards , José Lewgoy , Mick Jagger , Thomas Mauch , Walter Saxer , Huerequeque Bohorquez , Carmen Correa , Nelson De Rio Cenepa , Elia De Rio Ene

Documentarian Les Blank, who filmed Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe, trained his cameras on Herzog again, as the eccentric German filmmaker made his epic, Fitzcarraldo, in the Amazon rainforest of Peru. H... read more read more...erzog's production is in trouble right from the start. He begins filming with Jason Robards playing the title role, and Mick Jagger playing Fitzcarraldo's sidekick, Wilbur. With 40 percent of the film shot, Robards becomes ill and goes back to the states, where his doctor will not let him return. Because of the delay, Jagger, with album and tour commitments, is forced to quit the production. Thinking no one can fill the rock star's shoes, Herzog jettisons Jagger's role. He eventually casts his frequent collaborator Klaus Kinski as Fitzcarraldo and begins shooting again. Violent tribal disputes and unpredictable weather hinder the shoot, but the biggest obstacle is Herzog's own quixotic and dangerous determination to film one antique boat smashing down the Amazonian rapids, and the dragging of an identical boat over a mountain from one river to another. Blank interviews members of the cast and crew, including the impoverished Indian extras, and captures the troubles of the seemingly cursed production, but his interviews with Herzog are the focal point of the film. "If I abandon this project," Herzog explains at one point, "I would be a man without dreams, and I never want to live like that. I live my life or I end my life with this project." Herzog later made his own documentary about Kinski, My Best Fiend, which adds to the lore of this infamously difficult shoot. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Les Blank

Release Date: January 1, 1982

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DVD Release Date: May 10, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (212)

  • axadntpron
    September 13, 2011
    axadntpron
    I am not fully on the Herzog train but I certainly admire his drive. And by drive, I mean his lunacy of course. I had always heard that Kinski was crazy, but just listening to Herzog's words and how he pushes on in the face of every momentous setback really showed me that Herzog ... read moremay be just as mad. This film documents not only the tumultuous production of his most famous film Fitzcarraldo, but also offers a look at how Herzog channels his madness into pursuing his dreams. It drags in some areas, but overall pretty fascinating for anyone interested in the man, the myth, the legend, Werner Herzog.
  • ajv2688
    January 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    An interesting documentary about the making of one of Herzog's movies, and about him in general. If you're a fan of his you will enjoy this more than I did.
  • gator681
    October 4, 2006
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"The Burden of Dreams" is an eye-opening documentary about the making of Werner Herzog's film, "Fitzcarraldo", which is about an opera lover who wants to invite his idol, Enrico Caruso, to perform in the Amazonian jungle. In order to do so, he plans strike i... read moret rich in the rubber trade.(Other people have commented on the similarities between Fitzcarraldo and Herzog.) [/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Herzog brings his film crew and actors to a remote location in the South American rainforest but he faces delays, the loss of his first camp and the film's two stars leaving after 40% of the film has been shot.(Jason Robards to dysentary and Mick Jagger to prior commitments.) Bringing new meaning to the word perserverance(so much so, that he borders on being reckless), Herzog starts again with Klaus Kinski in the lead.(From film clips of Jason Robards in the title role, I think Klaus Kinski added a certain intensity to the role and you can see how the replacement casting might have changed the movie.) Throughout the whole process, Herzog aims to be as respectful to the indigenous population as possible, vowing to fight to help them gain title to their land.[/font]
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  • Ivan6655321
    May 28, 2011
    Ivan6655321
    Somewhere near the end of "Burden of Dreams", Herzog stated that he 'shouldn't make movies anymore' after the emotional, physical and intellectual drain that is "Fitzcarraldo". Of course, Herzog never stayed true to his words as he still kept on generating great films after great... read more films since. But this documentary, capturing the legendary filmmaker's seemingly inexhaustible grasp to his ambitions in the middle of an Andean disillusionment, provocatively shows Herzog in near surrender (his film career) and without regard to the future.

    But ironically, throughout the film, Werner Herzog shows an unusually calm demeanor. Looking at the things he is trying to fend off at the time, the likes of turbulent rapids, malicious rumors and political power struggles (not to mention the almost biblical task of moving a steamboat up a hill), a feeling of despair creeping within is not asking much. But he never snapped, at least not on the verge of suicide. Perhaps that's a consolation.

    Herzog, known for his deeply tranquil voice (especially in his numerous films where he incorporates poetic narrations), is quite unsurprising in his display of passiveness in an environment that demands otherwise. Hell, he even got shot in the middle of an interview and could not care less. But what Les Blank's "Burden of Dreams" has captured brilliantly is his internal descent into a void of questions and uncertainties. In many sequences, Herzog navigates through the natives' camps, treacherous terrains and dangerous waters seemingly animated by a mission and even carries a smile once in a while. But along those moments, in the middle of each and every scene and triggered by Blank's questions, we hear him speak out.

    It's not one of those pedestrian interviews where answers can be immediate, quick and solid. In these particular scenes, with his thick German accent, his words flow out, eloquent, vibrant, even frightening at times. It's a combination of a poet's uncommon inner articulacy, an everyday glib of a wisdom man and the dark, declarative enunciation of a doomsday prophet. And through that, he exposes his mind and soul. A mind that is pessimistic and unsure. A soul that is anxious and insecure. But a wholeness that is awfully determined and focused.

    Yes, he can quite see the finish line, but he can't go into a full run. Budget, time constraints, the force of nature, you name it. He is a man of ambition and larger-than-life aspirations and will stop at nothing to put those into fruition. But he can see, in the distance, the looming presence of the inevitability of failure. And it's quite clear.

    "Burden of Dreams", although about the agony of filmmaking, can also be seen as a documentary about the generalized significance of personal dreams. "Without dreams we would be cows in a field, and I don't want to live like that. I live my life or I end my life with this project." Herzog said. From that point on, the idea of finishing the film ceased to be merely just associated with the succeeding post-production. It is his ultimate self-affirming test as a filmmaker and as a dreamer. But on one side, it's also his sense of closure. A sigh of relief, if you can still just call it that.

    Now, who would think that Herzog's harsh exploits in the wilderness and a psychological flirt between lunacy and megalomania would root out from his consummate, against all odds passion for his craft? Coppola maybe, with Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" on one hand and a gun on the other.

    "...I love it. I love it very much. But I love it against my better judgment." Herzog said regarding on what he thinks of the Andean jungle. Maybe if you ask him regarding his devotion to finish "Fitzcarraldo", it will be the same answer. He just wanted it done, with his visions still intact, and more importantly, his sanity.
  • stev18mayo
    August 29, 2008
    stev18mayo
    I have yet to see Herzog's "Fitzcarraldo", but I seriously doubt that it will be anywhere near as interesting, as this documentary on the making of it.
  • mpghoul1973
    March 9, 2008
    mpghoul1973
    I watched this imediatly after watching Fitzcarraldo. Both films share the same elements..obssesion, passionand failure. Accept Herzog is the center of this documentary on the making of Fitzcarraldo. At times just as surreal as a Herzog film. There are alot of interesting bits in... read more this Doc. One being that the part of Fitzcarraldo was originaly played by Jason Robards. Who after 5 weeks of filming had a dysentary infection and was refused to take part in the rest of the film by his Dr. And Mick Jagger had a role as a actor who was to be Fitzcarraldos side kick. The part was eventually cut seeing Herzog couldnt picture anyone else in his role other than Jagger who left after Robards because he committed to making a Stones album. Thank god too because Kinski IS Fitzcarraldo.
    Burdon Of Dreams is just as essential to Fitzcarraldo as Heart Of Darkness was to Apocalypse Now. Herzog is a genius and any chance to see this man do what he does is gold!
  • merling
    November 18, 2007
    merling
    This is the only case that comes to my mind where the' making of' movie is better than the movie itself.
  • jwm67064
    August 22, 2007
    jwm67064
    I have never seen a Herzog film, but I've seen this documentary about Herzog making a film. As someone fascinated by film making, I loved this film. It's an epic documentary about the making of what seems to be an epic film.
  • flynnparadox
    September 14, 2006
    flynnparadox
    The greatest documentary about a film being made. It's amazing that Herzog was even able to SURVIVE, let alone complete one of the world's best films.

View All Burden of Dreams Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Les Blank's Burden of Dreams is one of the most remarkable documentaries ever made about the making of a movie. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The film is at once funny and, in its depiction of the scant differences between art and megalomania, somewhat frightening. Full Review

Donald J. Levit
July 18, 2011
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Gramophone music soothes the savage breast, and operatic human excess defines director and obsession as well as his lead character. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
January 26, 2010
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

O retrato extraordinário de um cineasta que, como o protagonista de seu filme, se entrega à obsessão por amor à Arte.

Dennis Schwartz
August 17, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Remarkably candid behind-the-scenes documentary. Full Review

Josh Ralske
October 26, 2007
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

A fascinating portrait of a filmmaker pushed to the outer edge of sanity... Full Review

John A. Nesbit
September 24, 2005
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews

not only captures the dramatic moments where Herzog risks life and limb ... , but he includes small details that provide necessary natural respites from Herzog's 'madness' Full Review

Christopher Null
May 24, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Strangely, Burden of Dreams is a better film than Fitzcarraldo, if only because you get to see the fictional portions of the film along with the backstory Full Review

Rumsey Taylor
December 21, 2004
Rumsey Taylor, Not Coming to a Theater Near You

It's Fitzcarraldo with affirmed and not sublime biography; in essence, the same film without the pretense of fiction. Full Review

Jonathan R. Perry
November 8, 2004
Jonathan R. Perry, Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

A searing voyeur's peek at two of cinema's most audacious talents -- and megalomaniacs.

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  • Werner Herzog was the subject of a documentary called "Burden of Dreams" for his directing of what film? Clue: it was originally going to star Mick Jagger and Jack Nicholson.  Answer »
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