‘Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer’ Review – Bold Insights Into A Visionary Filmmaker

Werner Herzog. An accomplished filmmaker and one of cinema’s most impeccable visionaries. A self-described dreamer, Herzog is the subject of a new documentary, Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer. In it, director Thomas von Steinaecker successfully profiles someone who has become a unique pop culture icon. Known for his distinct accent and unusual turn-of-phrase, Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer explores how this unabashed dreamer has made dreams, for the lack of a better word, his philosophy. A philosophy that Herzog has incorporated into his films but has also made a vital mantra for his life.

For the uninitiated, this documentary is a fascinating ride into the mind of one of cinema’s imaginative filmmakers. A pioneer in the new age of German cinema in the 1960s, Herzog made a name for himself with such early films as Signs of Life. The documentary explores his beginning as a filmmaker and the building blocks that shaped his early life. These early facets of his life give fascinating insights into his upbringing and, moreover his creative expressions. He describes his inspiration as personal. “All my films come out from pain.”

Those familiar with Herzog’s work will marvel at his early attempts at filmmaking. Radical Dreamer does a superb job of highlighting his earlier films and why he not only made a name for himself but has remained active and relevant in the industry for decades. To those unfamiliar with his work, this documentary may inspire audiences to watch his vast and eclectic filmography. No two films are the same, and much like those narratives, this movie is like a riverboat ride through the director’s mind. 

Subsequently, Herzog is on screen for much of the documentary, a bold and welcome choice. It is challenging to imagine many high-profile directors sitting down and stepping in front of the camera. He is candid and elaborates on the impetus for his ideas and the creative process. He is often known for his quirky phrases, as he has made himself a staple in American culture through roles on The Simpsons and The Mandalorian. However, there is much more to him than guest appearances and turn-a-phrases.

Actor Carl Weathers addresses another of Herzog’s films, Fitzcarraldo, and the uniqueness of Herzog with a remark about a particular moment in the movie. There is a scene in which a riverboat scales the side of a mountain. It was a rather bold and, indeed, outrageous moment, to say nothing of the minutia that went into making it come to life. But, speaking of Herzog in that particular scene, Weathers says, “That’s fresh, that’s new, that’s Werner Herzog.” 

Somebody could call Radical Dreamer That’s Werner Herzog as a title. This documentary captures how the man and the filmmaker are the same. In addition to Weathers, other past collaborators, including Christian Bale, Nicole Kidman, and Robert Pattinson, are peppered throughout the movie—each offering praise for Herzog and applause for his distinguishability. Clearly, they are more than collaborators; they are also fans. 

Above all, audiences will leave Radical Dreamer understanding this man and what inspires him to create. Fans of his work or not will marvel at how unique Herzog is and how, too often, the film industry settles on cookie-cutter approaches. Herzog is far from pedestrian. He is a man in constant movement. Furthermore, he paints a cinematic canvas unlike any other filmmaker in his generation and is wholly original.

He even has admirers, including Chloé Zhao, who is also part of the cast singing his praises in the film. The breadth of experiences and talents captures the impact felt by Herzog. In the movie, Herzog seems content with his celebrity status, no doubt enhanced by American culture. Yet, he too seems like a man dissatisfied with watching his golden years slip by him. Moreover, even in his advancing years, the creative juices are pumping, and, from his discussions in the film, his mind is still dreaming, too. Perhaps, best said by his wife, Lena Herzog, “[Werner] doesn’t care what other people think; he keeps going.” Bravo!

Werner Herzog: Radical Dreamer is currently available on Digital and VOD courtesy of Shout! Studios.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO8747GksTg]