When you say the name Werner Herzog, many images come to mind: Vampires, Explorers, Aviators, etc. Werner has a huge filmography of films that are all very different, but often contain similar themes and tones. Whether it's an existential horror film or an experimental comedy, you can tell it's Herzog. Today, I am reviewing one of the director's less famous documentaries, but one of his favorite of his own films. It's called 'The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner'.
Werner's film follows the story of Swiss Ski-Jumper Walter Steiner. It documents his life as it happens, from every broken record to every moment of possible injury. It's not a film that looks back at the past through interviews, it shows everything at the exact moment at which it happened.
Herzog's camera captures slow-motion shots of Walter flying through the sky. These shots, paired with Popul Vuh's stunning score, are very powerful. They perfectly capture the most important moments in Steiner's life, and you feel them just as much as he does.
'The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner' is a short and simple doc, but it's a fascinating and well-made one. Werner Herzog stirs the audience's emotions perfectly, and makes this 45-minute watch one highly entertaining.
Werner's film follows the story of Swiss Ski-Jumper Walter Steiner. It documents his life as it happens, from every broken record to every moment of possible injury. It's not a film that looks back at the past through interviews, it shows everything at the exact moment at which it happened.
Herzog's camera captures slow-motion shots of Walter flying through the sky. These shots, paired with Popul Vuh's stunning score, are very powerful. They perfectly capture the most important moments in Steiner's life, and you feel them just as much as he does.
'The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner' is a short and simple doc, but it's a fascinating and well-made one. Werner Herzog stirs the audience's emotions perfectly, and makes this 45-minute watch one highly entertaining.