If I'm not mistaken Roger Corman once told to Francis Ford Coppola before making his mandatory tour-de-force "Apocalypse Now" to not go to the jungle film this movie. He went through countless troubles and challenges, almost thought of committing suicide and three years later he released his masterpiece to the world, winning lots of praise, money and awards and mentions in lists of best films ever made. After him, other directors went to do the same trying to make their dreams come true: Ruggero Deodato, Roland Joffé and Werner Herzog, the latter having one great similarity with Coppola: both films they made were also followed by a documentary revealing the troubles of the production from beginning to end; "Apocalypse Now" is followed by "Hearts of Darkness" while "Fitzcarraldo" is followed by "Burden of Dreams", an documentary directed by Les Blank pointing the semi-disastrous filmmaking of one of the greatest films ever made.

We are guided by Herzog and a female voice over that tell us the unfortunate series of events that surrounded the filming of "Fitzcarraldo" during four years in Peru (I was disappointed by the fact they didn't show what happened in Brazil, where they filmed some scenes too but I guess the major problem was in Peru). From possible attacks of Indians who disliked the film's production in their territory to the point of threatening the crew, then moving to another location; the day-by-day of shooting in complicated locations and with many different cultures; the forced departure of two of the main actors (Jason Robards and Mick Jagger) which caused a delay in production since they had to film all over again; an aerial accident that left some serious victims (this wasn't well explained) these and more are among the several problems encountered by everybody involved in "Fitzcarraldo".

But the problem that gets honorable mention is the one that concerns putting a 300 ton steamship over a hill, pushed by a bulldozer. That was really complicated to make, people got injured with that and after failing in the first attempt, the movie was delayed for one year until they finally made it right. And also sailing with the same boat over rapids that damaged parts of it and injured members of the crew as well. Here's a dream that almost became a nightmare and a heavy burden to carry...literally! Just reading my words in here is not enough, you gotta see with your own eyes how painful and exhaustive was to shoot "Fitzcarraldo". But when you see Herzog's film you are rewarded with one of the most beautiful and poetic masterpieces of all time. And to think that he said that after that film he would never direct any film again...but he went on and made many other works.

Now the criticism: the difference between these documentaries lies in the fact that the one related with Coppola's film was something with beginning, middle and ending, very well structured which is something that this film failed at some parts, and the reason why this happened is simply because the director didn't wait one essential advantage that "Apocalypse Now" had: the test of time if a work will be relevant in the years that passed and in years to come. When the movie ends we keep asking ourselves if it worth all the while to go through enormous difficulties. They couldn't say if the movie was well received by public, the money spent vs. the money earned, those things. "Burden" was released practically simultaneously with "Fitzcarraldo"; "Hearts of Darkness" was released 11 years later, so that they could look back and have some proud over their work. The language barrier wasn't respected in terms of presenting everything to viewers, at least in the version I watched, where German, Spanish, Portuguese and other dialects are spoken throughout the film but there's no caption to translate what people are saying.

I liked the insights made by Herzog about the jungle, and about taking chances in order to make dreams into reality means to him. Everything is well presented, the fascinating behind the scenes of "Fitzcarraldo" was very cool to watch but more interviews with actors should be included (the one with José Lewgoy is the most interesting when he tells about acting makes him feel an complete person, and the instruction he gets of Herzog in how to act in a certain scene). And "Burden of Dreams" is not only about problems, it's about not giving up of a dream even if takes forever to be made real, fighting the most dangerous adversities. Sounds like an Hollywood film but that was very real just like the real Fitzcarraldo at one time placed a steamboat over a hill. Only after seeing this you'll understand the power "Fitzcarraldo" has over its viewers. 10/10

I looked forward to seeing this film because in recent years, I have become intrigued by Werner Herzog's films. I am not talking about his traditional films--the ones loved by the critics such as "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" of "Fitzcarraldo". Instead, I have really come to enjoy the director's documentaries--and although he is known for his traditional movies, he has made tons of excellent documentaries.

I also was interested because I am rather familiar with the crazy relationship Herzog had with Klaus Kinski--as discussed in "My Best Friend Klaus Kinski". In it, Herzog talks about how much he hated working with Kinski--and yet he chose to work with him AGAIN on "Fitzcarraldo"--the film which is the subject of this documentary.

What you'll notice in this documentary by Les Blank is how seemingly cursed the production is as well as how Herzog's compulsive style make the filming VERY, VERY difficult. First, they had to stop the production due to border skirmishes between communists and the government. Then, the natives attacked and burned the sets! Add to that the loss of the original leading man after he became too ill to complete the film...and 40% of the film was already shot! Also, Herzog's script and insistence that they shoot the film in the most remote and unforgiving environment made things even worse. The film does a good job of chronicling these and many, many more problems.

While the film is a wealth of information for Herzog-philes, it is NOT a great documentary. Much of it is because the pacing is very uneven. Many parts simply should have been heavily edited as too many times nothing is happening or the shots seem amazingly extraneous (such as a lengthy shot of a couple natives on a raft). Plus, although Herzog talks a lot--the rest of the folks don't. I really wanted to hear from the new leading man (Kinski) and the rest.

My advice is to only watch this film if you are a film student, Herzog groupie or if you are very, very tolerant of a somber and occasionally dull making of film.

Werner Herzog goes to the Amazon to film his jungle epic Fitzcarraldo (1982). He runs into competing native political organizations and is accused of exploitation of the local natives. The movie has a never-ending series of problems including the Herculean task of lifting a giant steamship out of the water up a hill.

There are unforeseen problems like the local political conflicts, health problems and weather. Then there is the all too foreseeable problem of moving a giant ship up a hill. This is a mess waiting to happen. There are also great local flavors like catching arrows competition and making fermented drinks. I actually like this making-of documentary more than the actual movie.