Werner Herzog, the man who's drawn sympathy to any number of deviant characters from german history and legend in his dreamlike movies, doesn't dissapoint with this tale of a Polish-Jewish stronman who becomes part of a freakshow led by the famous illusionist Haunausen, the subject of a more sympathetic portrayal by Istvan Szabo. In this movie Haunessen is a manipulative NAzi Appeaser who takes advantage of the leading character, himself played by a former "world's strongest man" finalist who is wonderfully convincing in the role; but who finally has the tables turned on him.
Being a herzog film, it doesn't shy away from major themes, moral responsiblity, the role of propaganda, and the nature of identity, but what struck me most was the tenderness with which herzog treats his subject and the realism of it's potrayal of 30's Poland and Berlin. A Wonderful, poignant story.
Being a herzog film, it doesn't shy away from major themes, moral responsiblity, the role of propaganda, and the nature of identity, but what struck me most was the tenderness with which herzog treats his subject and the realism of it's potrayal of 30's Poland and Berlin. A Wonderful, poignant story.