Burden Of Dreams

A number of critics believe that Les Blank's documentary on the making of Werner Herzog's Fitzcarraldo is better than Herzog's film itself. We agree. Blank's mesmerizing film follows the incredible problems Herzog suffered in trying to bring Fitzcarraldo to the screen. Herzog's story of a misguided dreamer who wants to bring opera to the Amazonian jungle seemed doomed from its inception. Originally set to star Jason Robards and box-office guarantor Mick Jagger, half the film was in the can when Robards contracted dysentery and left the project. After waiting three months, Jagger had to leave to meet other obligations. Negotiations with the local Indians were never-ending, sites were abandoned, injuries were sustained, delays due to weather were routine--and through it all, as we watch Herzog's face literally grow haggard as the years begin to add up, we too begin to wonder about the price of dreams. The focal point comes when Herzog tries to move a three-story steamer over a narrow isthmus of land separating two rivers. The South American engineer he hires designs a system that will haul the ship up a twenty degree incline--but Herzog insists on a forty degree incline at the risk of the natives. A disturbing, provocative film. Highly recommended. (Especially so, since the video price for this film was $450 last year.) (Available from Flower Films, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, Ca, 94530). (R. Pitman)[DVD Review--May 17, 2005--Criterion, 95 min., R, $39.95--Making its first appearance on DVD, 1982's Burden of Dreams comes with an amazing transfer considering the source material, and an 89-page book of excerpts from director Blank's and editor and sound recordist Maureen Gosling's production journals. DVD extras include an audio commentary (by Blank, Gosling, and Werner Herzog), a 38-minute “Dreams and Burdens” interview with Herzog, the classic Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe (a great 20-minute short by Blank in which Herzog settles a bet, two deleted scenes (6 min. total), a huge photo gallery, and a trailer. Bottom line: am excellent extras package for a landmark documentary.]