Werner Herzog's 10 Best Movies: List of rated movies

Werner Herzog’s films are known to more than one generation, as the famous director has directed dozens of films. Critics have attributed the amazing films of the master to the direction of the new German cinema, putting the works on a par with the works of such geniuses as Schlöndorf, Wenders and Fassbinder.

Table of contents

Fitzcarraldo

Rating IMDB – 8.0
Genre: Drama, аdventure
Production Germany (FRG), Peru / 1982
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Klaus Kinski, Jose Levgoy, Miguel Angel Fuentes, Paul Hittscher, Yurekeke Enrique Boorquez, Grandi Otelu, Peter Berling, David Pérez Espinosa, Milton Nascimento, Rui Polana

Brian Fitzgerald makes the great trek across the Amazon to enjoy Enrico Caruso’s beautiful singing. After the concert, the musician, whom the local Indians call Fitzcarraldo, decides to build an opera house.

The project needs serious financing, and Brian acquires a rubber plantation to earn the necessary amount of money. It is not easy to get to the site because of dangerous rapids, and Fitzgerald embarks on an adventure insane in its implementation.

The main role was claimed by Jason Robards, but on the eve of filming the actor fell seriously ill. Werner offered to participate in the project Mario Adorf, who refused because of the high demands of the director. Herzog was left without an actor in the midst of the working process, so he agreed to give the role to the capricious Klaus Kinski.

Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes

Rating IMDB – 7.9
Genre: Action, drama, adventure, biography, history
Production Germany (FRG) / 1972
Budget: $370,000
Worldwide gross: $34,167
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Klaus Kinski, Elena Rojo, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra, Peter Beurling, Cecilia Rivera, Daniel Ades, Edward Roland, Alejandro Chavez, Armando Polana

After the Spanish conquest of the Inca state, a legend arose about the existence of the country of Eldorado with untold treasures. A group of conquistadors, accompanied by local Indians, set out in search of the mythical land. The crossing of the mountain system proved difficult, but the journey through the jungle becomes a real test.

Gonzalo Pizarro understands that it would be impossible for a large unit to pass through the dense thickets, so the commander sends Pedro de Ursua and Lope de Aguirre to reconnoiter. The leaders’ differing opinions lead to a quarrel that could cost the men their lives.

Klaus Kinski behaved inappropriately on the set, because of which Herzog has promised never to cooperate with the unbalanced star. The actor opened fire on the tent, where there were extras, and one of the participants struck on the head with a sword. Only a miracle saved the filming process from ridiculous and accidental casualties.

Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle

Rating IMDB – 7.7
Genre: Drama, biography, history
Production Germany (FRG) / 1974
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Bruno S., Walter Ladengast, Brigitte Mira, Willi Semmelrogge, Michael Kröcher, Hans Museus, Henri van Leek, Gloria Doher, Volker Prechtel, Herbert Achternbusch

Until 1828, young Kaspar Hauser lived in the basement of a house where a mysterious stranger chained him. The boy was unaware of the existence of other people and the world around him, as the only link for a long time remained a mysterious man.

The man brought Kaspar food, and once brought him to the town square, where he left him with a note in his hand. The local authorities and police became interested in the Hauser phenomenon, but none of them ever managed to unravel the mystery of the eternal wanderer.

The film is based on the true story of teenager Kaspar Hauser, who one day appeared in Nuremberg under unexplained circumstances.

Herz aus Glas

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Drama
Production Germany (FRG) / 1976
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Josef Birbichler, Stefan Güttler, Clemens Scheitz, Volker Prechtel, Sonya Skiba, Brunhilde Klöckner, Wulf Albrecht, Thomas Binkley, Janos Fischer, Wilhelm Friedrich

The film is set in the Bavarian countryside of the 18th century, where a provincial town lives off the glassblowing industry. The fate of the population turns out to be unenviable after the death of a master who possessed the secret of making a unique product.

The man carried to his grave a secret recipe for the production of “ruby” glass, not having time to pass knowledge to apprentices. The son of the factory owner considers human blood to be the main ingredient of the composition, and people are willing to do anything for the return of the exclusive type of product.

To create the atmosphere of a sleepy town, the actors were hypnotized before filming.

Cobra Verde

Rating IMDB – 6.9
Genre: Drama, аdventure
Production Germany (FRG), Ghana / 1987
Budget: DEM 800,000
US fees: $12,702
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Klaus Kinski, King Ampou, José Levgoy, Salvatore Basile, Peter Beurling, Guillermo Coronel, Nana Agyefi Kwame II, Nana Fedu Abodo, Kofi Yerenchii, Kwesi Fase

Werner Herzog’s list of best films continues with an adventure drama about a legendary adventurer. In the second half of the nineteenth century, the Brazilian slave trade is in decline, but there are people who can get the most out of the dubious business.

Francisco brutally reprisals his abuser, for which he is nicknamed the Cobra Verde. The man moves to another town to avoid punishment, but even there he manages to become famous for his bad deeds. The authorities send the criminal to certain death, unaware of Cobra’s ability to survive under any conditions.

The picture was one of the last works of actor Klaus Kinski, who died four years after the premiere of the film.

Woyzeck

Rating IMDB – 7.0
Genre: Biography, drama, crime
Production Germany (FRG) / 1979
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Klaus Kinski, Eva Matthes, Wolfgang Reichmann, Willy Semmelrogge, Josef Birbichler, Paul Burian, Volker Prechtel, Dieter Augustin, Irm Hermann, Wolfgang Böchler

The protagonist of the drama is a typical little man. Forty-year-old Woyzeck serves as a soldier in a provincial town, where there are no prospects for development and a normal life. To provide for his chosen one and her illegitimate child, the man moonlights in the experimental research of a mad doctor.

Maria, however, does not respond with gratitude, but amuses herself in the arms of her young lover. The mind of the humiliated Wojciek gradually loses touch with reality, which threatens a serious disaster.

The drama is based on Georg Büchner’s unfinished play, which is based on real events.

Stroszek

Rating IMDB – 7.8
Genre: Drama, comedy
Production Germany (FRG) / 1977
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Bruno S., Eva Matthes, Clemens Scheitz, Wilhelm von Homburg, Burkhard Drest, Clayton Schalpinski, Eli Rodriguez, Alfred Edel, Scott McCain, Ralph Wade

The film takes viewers to West Berlin in the 1970s, where Bruno Stroschek is released from prison. Life is not good for the man, but the protagonist does not lose hope for a brighter future.

Together with his neighbor and a casual acquaintance, Bruno goes to America, because in an independent country migrants have a chance to improve their own lives. In the United States, Stroszek’s dreams are shattered by the harsh reality, as everyone brings their own inner demons.

The main role was played by a nonprofessional actor, Bruno S.

Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht

Rating IMDB – 7.4
Genre: Horror, drama
Production Germany (FRG), France / 1978
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor, Walter Ladengast, Dan van Huzen, Jan Groth, Karsten Bodinus, Martier Grohmann, Reik de Goyer

A young real estate agent, Jonathan Harker, arrives in Transylvania. A local nobleman wants to buy an abandoned abbey, and the deal requires properly executed documents.

Jonathan is greeted by the sullen Count Dracula, who has strange manners and a sinister appearance. The owner of the castle accidentally notices a photograph of Harker’s young wife – and is willing to do anything to possess the young beauty. Jonathan realizes too late the perfidy of Dracula, but does not intend to give up.

The film is based on the legendary novel by Bram Stoker.

Rescue Dawn

Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Biography, military, drama, thriller
Production USA, Luxembourg / 2006
Budget: $28,000,000
Worldwide gross: $7,177,143
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Zach Grenier, Marshall Bell, Toby Huss, Pat Healy, GQ, James Oliver, Bradley Hansen Carr, Saishia Wongviroy

Dieter Dengler, an American of German origin, participates in the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Navy. On another mission the pilot’s plane is shot down and the soldier is taken prisoner.

After brutal and exhausting tortures, Dieter develops an escape plan to make his way to his own prisoners together with other prisoners. Breaking free, the prisoners find themselves in the middle of the jungle, where the slightest misstep could cost their lives. The soldiers have no choice but to try to survive in the hope of a miraculous rescue.

Before filming, the actors lost weight in order to look plausible as prisoners. Because it was not easy to lose pounds, the film was filmed in reverse chronological order.

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans

Rating IMDB – 6.6
Genre: Drama, сrime
US production / 2009
Budget: $25,000,000
Worldwide gross: $10,589,102
Directed by Werner Herzog
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Xzibit, Fairuza Balk, Sean Hatosy, Jennifer Coolidge, Tom Bower, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Brad Dourif

Terrence McDonagh is a hereditary policeman forced to hide a dark secret from those around him. The man is respected by his superiors and colleagues, so no one suspects the other face of the cop.

Terrence is bogged down in theft and dealing in illegal substances, as he himself is an addict with a severe addiction. When management assigns McDonagh to a brutal murder case of a group of immigrants, the cop suddenly runs into serious problems.