What other films can you compare this one to?

After we saw this film at our local film center (the last in a series of Herzog films presented), we were priviledged to have as guest speaker an Associate Professor of Film from a local college to discuss it with us. He enlighted as to the relationship between Herzog and Paul Berriff, the chief cinematographer. Berriff was already on the scene and Herzog eventually teamed up with him. It is interesting to note that whatever cinematographer Herzog uses, or whatever the limitations or difficulties of filming, one can always "feel" that one is watching one of his film. Other interesting facts concerned the limitations of where the helicopter pilot could fly due to the extreme heat of the fires (up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit); yet another dangerous environment in which the making of the film was as much an event as the final product itself.

Somewhere during our after-film chat it occurred to me that there was a similar feel to this film and "The Road Warrior" in regard to the dominant imagery of forward movement across an apocalypic landscape; deep, intoning narration; and the dramatic alteration of exhileration and horror that only such an environment could engender. Our speaker found a relation to "Hiroshima Mon Amour," which I have not seen.

I would also suggest that there is no other filmaker who better incorporates music with images. This film may be his finest example.


"Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show;
But wonder on, till truth make all things plain."
-- A Midsummer Night's Dream