50 Facts About Werner Herzog

Early Life and Upbringing

Werner Herzog's early years were marked by unique experiences that shaped his future as a filmmaker.

1. Herzog was born Werner Stipetić to Elisabeth Stipetić and Dietrich Herzog. His mother was Austrian with Croatian ancestry, while his father was German.
2. When Herzog was two weeks old, his mother took refuge in the remote Bavarian village of Sachrang in the Chiemgau Alps due to an Allied bombing raid during World War II.
3. Growing up in Sachrang, Herzog and his family lacked basic amenities like running water, a flushing toilet, and a telephone. He described his childhood as one of anarchy, with many fathers absent from the village.
4. Herzog did not know cinema existed until a traveling projectionist visited their one-room schoolhouse in Sachrang. This encounter sparked his interest in filmmaking.
5. When Herzog was 12, his family moved back to Munich. His father had abandoned the family early in his youth, but Herzog later adopted his father's surname, which means "duke" in German, as he thought it sounded more impressive for a filmmaker.

Early Career and Education

Herzog's journey into filmmaking began with a series of unique experiences and challenges.

6. Herzog made his first phone call at the age of 17. Two years later, he started working on his first film, Herakles (1962).
7. Herzog eventually met his father again, but their communication was challenging due to the father speaking in a Bavarian dialect. His mother had to translate for them.
8. At the age of 13, Herzog was bullied by a music teacher who forced him to sing in front of his class. This incident left a lasting scar and led to Herzog avoiding music for several years.
9. When Herzog turned 18, he immersed himself in music with particular intensity. He studied music and eventually composed his own pieces.
10. Herzog studied history, literature, and music in Munich and at the University of Pittsburgh. However, he did not graduate from either institution.

Breakthrough in Filmmaking

Herzog's early films gained him recognition and set the stage for his future success.

11. Herzog’s first short film, Herakles, was released in 1962. He then made two more shorts while working various jobs to finance them.
12. Herzog’s first feature film, Lebenszeichen (1967; Signs of Life), was funded by the prestigious Carl-Meyer-Price, which he won for his script Feuerzeichen.
13. Lebenszeichen won the Silver Bear Special Jury Prize for Best First Feature Film at the 18th Berlin International Film Festival in 1968 and the German Film Award (Filmband in Silber) the same year.
14. Along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Wim Wenders, and Volker Schlöndorff, Herzog led the beginning of the New German Cinema movement, which included documentarians working on low budgets and influenced by the French New Wave.
15. Herzog developed a habit of casting professional actors alongside people from the locality where he was shooting. This approach added authenticity to his films.

Iconic Films and Collaborations

Herzog's collaborations and unique films have left a lasting impact on cinema.

16. Herzog’s films are often set in distinct and unfamiliar landscapes, imbued with mysticism. His youthful experience with Catholicism is evident in the religious echoes in his work.
17. In 1971, while location scouting for Aguirre, the Wrath of God in Peru, Herzog narrowly avoided taking LANSA Flight 508, which was later struck by lightning and disintegrated. This event haunted him for nearly 30 years and inspired his documentary Wings of Hope (1998).
18. Herzog’s volatile love-hate relationship with Klaus Kinski resulted in some of the best work from both men. They collaborated on films like Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, and Nosferatu the Vampyre.
19. Fitzcarraldo (1982) is one of Herzog’s most ambitious projects. The film follows a fanatic opera lover trying to build an opera house in the Peruvian jungle. The production was epic in scale, stricken by catastrophes, and took nearly four years to complete.
20. Later in his career, Herzog staged several operas in Bayreuth, Germany, and at the Milan Scala in Italy. His operatic productions were known for their unique interpretations and innovative staging.

Shift to Documentaries

Herzog's focus shifted to documentaries, where he continued to explore human endurance and survival.

21. Herzog shifted his focus primarily to documentaries later in his career. His documentaries include Glocken aus der Tiefe (1995; “Bells from the Deep”), which examines religious beliefs among Russians, and Grizzly Man (2005), an account of Timothy Treadwell, an American who studied and lived among grizzly bears in Alaska but was mauled to death along with his girlfriend.
22. Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997) centers on a German American pilot shot down in the jungle during the Vietnam War. This story inspired Herzog’s narrative film Rescue Dawn (2007), the screenplay of which was the first Herzog wrote in English.
23. Rescue Dawn is a narrative film based on the true story of Dieter Dengler, a German American pilot who was shot down and became a prisoner of war. The film was a departure for Herzog, as it was his first narrative film written in English.
24. Herzog published the diary he wrote during the production of Fitzcarraldo under the title Die Eroberung des Nutzlosen (The Conquest of the Useless) in 2004. This diary provides a detailed account of the challenges and triumphs of making such an ambitious film.
25. Lessons of Darkness (1992) is a documentary that illustrated the burning oil fields of Kuwait from an alien point of view. The film caused some controversy due to allegations of aestheticizing the horrors of war.

Personal Life and Philosophical Views

Herzog's personal experiences and philosophical views have deeply influenced his work.

26. Wings of Hope (1998) explores the story of Juliane Koepcke, the sole survivor of the crash of LANSA Flight 508. This documentary is a testament to Herzog’s fascination with survival stories and human endurance.
27. Herzog married three times: first to Martje Grohmann, then to Lotte Keane, and finally to Lena Herzog in 1999. He has no children but has been involved in various philanthropic activities.
28. Herzog stands at 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and has been known for his distinctive voice and physical presence.
29. Herzog has written several books, including Of Walking in Ice, a journal about his journey on foot from Munich to Paris in 1974 to visit Lotte Eisner, who had suffered a stroke.
30. Herzog often expresses philosophical views on life and filmmaking. He once said, “TV uses landscapes. I transform landscapes—I direct landscapes.”

Awards and Recognition

Herzog's work has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades.

31. Herzog has collaborated with various artists and filmmakers throughout his career. His collaborations with Klaus Kinski are particularly notable for their intensity and creative output.
32. Herzog has been nominated for and won numerous awards for his films. His first major award was the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury for his first feature film Lebenszeichen.
33. Herzog’s influence on filmmaking extends beyond his own work. He has inspired a generation of filmmakers with his unconventional approach to storytelling and his emphasis on location and atmosphere.
34. Herzog is known for his documentary style, which often involves placing his cast and crew in real situations mirroring those in the film they are working on. This approach adds a layer of authenticity to his documentaries.
35. Herzog’s experience in directing operas has influenced his filmmaking style. He often incorporates elements of drama and performance into his films, creating a unique blend of theater and cinema.

Recent Work and Legacy

Herzog continues to create impactful work, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of cinema.

36. Many of Herzog’s films explore philosophical themes such as the human condition, nature, and the absurdity of life. His films often feature characters at psychological extremes, adding depth to his narratives.
37. Herzog’s films have had a significant cultural impact, particularly in Germany and Europe. His work has been celebrated for its originality and its ability to capture the essence of human experience.
38. Herzog’s extensive filmography includes Even Dwarfs Started Small (1970), Fata Morgana (1971), Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974), Stroszek (1977), Heart of Glass (1977), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Woyzeck (1979), Fitzcarraldo (1982), and many more.
39. Some of Herzog’s films have been controversial, particularly Lessons of Darkness, which was criticized for aestheticizing the horrors of war. However, Herzog defends his approach as a way to make the viewer confront the reality of war.
40. Herzog’s legacy in cinema is profound. He has inspired a new generation of filmmakers and continues to influence contemporary filmmaking with his unique style and philosophical approach to storytelling.

Personal Quotes and Philosophical Influences

Herzog's quotes and philosophical influences offer insight into his creative mind.

41. In recent years, Herzog has continued to direct documentaries and films. His recent works include Meeting Gorbachev (2018), Into the Inferno (2016), Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (2016), and Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin (2019).
42. Herzog has also ventured into television, directing episodes for series like On Death Row (2012–2013) and producing documentaries such as The Act of Killing (2012).
43. Herzog is known for his insightful quotes about filmmaking and life. One notable quote is, “Just because you do not take an interest in politics does not mean politics will not take an interest in you.”
44. Herzog has been involved in various philanthropic activities, including supporting organizations that promote arts and culture. He has also been involved in environmental causes, highlighting the importance of preserving natural landscapes.
45. In addition to his films, Herzog has written several books, including Of Walking in Ice, which chronicles his journey on foot from Munich to Paris in 1974. This book provides a unique perspective on his creative process and personal experiences.

Collaborations and Cultural Relevance

Herzog's collaborations and cultural impact continue to resonate in the world of cinema.

46. Herzog has collaborated with several notable actors throughout his career, including Klaus Kinski, Jason Robards, and Mick Jagger. His collaborations with Klaus Kinski are particularly notable for their intensity and creative output.
47. Herzog has also collaborated with opera directors and musicians. His operatic productions have been known for their unique interpretations and innovative staging.
48. Herzog’s documentaries often focus on unusual subjects, such as Timothy Treadwell in Grizzly Man or Dieter Dengler in Little Dieter Needs to Fly. These subjects reflect his fascination with human endurance and survival stories.
49. Herzog’s philosophical views are influenced by his Catholic upbringing and his interest in existentialism. His films often explore themes related to the human condition, nature, and the absurdity of life.
50. Despite his unconventional approach to filmmaking, Herzog’s work remains culturally relevant today. His films continue to inspire audiences and filmmakers alike with their unique blend of drama, philosophy, and visual storytelling.

Herzog's Enduring Legacy

Werner Herzog's impact on cinema is undeniable. His unique style, philosophical themes, and daring approach to filmmaking have left a lasting mark. From his early days in a remote Bavarian village to becoming a pioneer of New German Cinema, Herzog's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. His collaborations with Klaus Kinski, ambitious projects like Fitzcarraldo, and thought-provoking documentaries such as Grizzly Man showcase his versatility and vision. Herzog's work continues to inspire filmmakers and captivate audiences worldwide. Whether exploring the depths of human endurance or the mysteries of nature, Herzog's films offer a profound look at the human condition. His legacy is a testament to the power of storytelling and the relentless pursuit of artistic truth. Werner Herzog remains a towering figure in the world of cinema, forever changing how we see and understand film.