
Watches
October 28, 2020
Herzog has always alternated between narrative films and documentaries. So far, I hadn't seen much of his older docs, The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner is the first I've seen and heralded by Herzog himself as one of his most important films. Can't say I understand why though.
Steiner is a famed sky flyer (pretty much the same as ski jumping, only they go a lot further still) who broke several records in his time by crossing the farthest posts on the slopes. Herzog follows him around, detailing the dangers and appeal of the sport while underlying the often amateurish organization of the events.
While the close-ups and slo-mo footage of the jumps are quite nice, in the end it's still a pretty basic documentary about an athlete. One whose records have long since been beaten. Herzog makes the best of it and his enthusiasm makes sure that even people who don't care for the sport get something out of it, but in the end it's really not that special.
More by the director
Werner Herzog

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans

Happy People: A Year in the Taiga

Lessons of Darkness

Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World

La Soufrière - Warten auf eine Unausweichliche Katastrophe

Rescue Dawn

Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet

The Wild Blue Yonder

Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Fitzcarraldo

Heart of Glass

Into the Inferno

Family Romance, LLC
