# Aguirre, the Wrath of God

> 1972 film by Werner Herzog

**Wikidata**: [Q325662](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q325662)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aguirre,_the_Wrath_of_God)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aguirre-the-wrath-of-god

## Summary
*Aguirre, the Wrath of God* is a 1972 film directed by Werner Herzog, blending drama and adventure genres. It explores themes of colonialism and madness through a 16th-century Spanish expedition in the Amazon, featuring Klaus Kinski in the title role. The film is noted for its haunting visuals and historical critique, shot on location in Peru and Mexico.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: 1972-12-29 (Germany), 1973-05-16 (Mexico), 1974-03-04 (Peru), 1974-11-14 (France), 1975-02-26 (Italy), 1975-05-28 (USA), 1975-11-14 (Sweden), 1976-01-22 (Netherlands), 1976-10-05 (Hungary), 1977-04-03 (Finland), 1980-01-24 (Denmark), 1981-05-01 (Japan), 1983-02-26 (West Germany re-release).
- **Director**: Werner Herzog.
- **Genres**: Drama film, Adventure film.
- **Countries**: Germany (production), Mexico, Peru (filming locations).
- **Aliases**: *Aguirre: The Wrath of God*.
- **Sitelink Count**: 52 (Wikidata).
- **Wikipedia Title**: "Aguirre, the Wrath of God".
- **Wikidata Description**: "1972 film by Werner Herzog".

## FAQs
- **Q: When was *Aguirre, the Wrath of God* released?**  
  A: The film premiered in Germany on December 29, 1972, with subsequent releases in Mexico (1973), Peru (1974), and other countries through 1983.  
- **Q: What genres does the film belong to?**  
  A: It is classified as both a drama film and an adventure film.  
- **Q: Who directed the film?**  
  A: Werner Herzog wrote and directed *Aguirre, the Wrath of God*.  
- **Q: Where was the film shot?**  
  A: Primary filming locations included Mexico and Peru.  
- **Q: Why is the film historically significant?**  
  A: It critiques Spanish colonialism and is noted for its intense portrayal of ambition and madness, shot under harsh conditions with a small crew.  

## Why It Matters
*Aguirre, the Wrath of God* is a landmark of New German Cinema, cementing Werner Herzog’s reputation for uncompromising storytelling and visual audacity. The film’s exploration of obsession, imperialism, and the collapse of civilization resonates as both a historical allegory and a psychological study. Its influence extends to filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, who cited it as an inspiration for *Apocalypse Now*. The collaboration between Herzog and actor Klaus Kinski, marked by mutual antagonism, became legendary, contributing to the film’s cult status and critical reevaluation over time.

## Notable For
- First collaboration between Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski, sparking a tumultuous creative partnership.  
- Shot on location in the Amazon rainforest with a minimal crew, emphasizing practical challenges as part of the narrative.  
- Uses the true story of El Dorado expeditions as a framework to explore themes of greed and delusion.  
- Recognized for its eerie soundtrack and cinematography, which heighten the sense of claustrophobia and doom.  
- Selected for preservation by the Deutsche Kinemathek as a culturally significant work.  

## Body

### Production Background  
Directed by Werner Herzog, *Aguirre, the Wrath of God* was released in 1972 under the alias *Aguirre: The Wrath of God*. The film stars Klaus Kinski as the ruthless conquistador Lope de Aguirre, leading a doomed 16th-century expedition to find El Dorado. Shot in Mexico and Peru, the production faced logistical hardships, including treacherous terrain and a stripped-down crew, which Herzog intentionally incorporated into the film’s aesthetic.

### Release History  
The film debuted in Germany on December 29, 1972, followed by releases in Mexico (May 16, 1973) and Peru (March 4, 1974). It gained international traction with premieres in France (November 14, 1974), Italy (February 26, 1975), and the USA (May 28, 1975). Later releases in Sweden, the Netherlands, Hungary, Finland, Denmark, and Japan solidified its global reach, culminating in a 1983 West German re-release.

### Themes and Style  
The narrative critiques Spanish colonialism through the lens of a disintegrating expedition, blending historical fiction with psychological horror. Herzog’s direction emphasizes stark visuals and a haunting score, using the Amazon landscape to symbolize existential futility. The film’s slow-burning tension and focus on Aguirre’s descent into megalomania underscore its exploration of power and madness.

### Cultural Impact  
*Aguirre* launched Herzog’s international career and established his thematic preoccupations with isolation and the extremes of human behavior. Its reputation as a cult classic grew through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim, with scholars highlighting its deconstruction of colonial narratives. The film’s influence is evident in later works like *Apocalypse Now* (1979) and *The Revenant* (2015), which similarly juxtapose human ambition against unforgiving natural environments.

### Legacy  
The collaboration between Herzog and Kinski, marked by mutual hostility, became central to the film’s mythology. Despite its initial modest box-office performance, *Aguirre* is now regarded as a foundational text of New German Cinema, celebrated for its technical innovation and philosophical depth. Its inclusion in preservation efforts by the Deutsche Kinemathek underscores its enduring significance in film history.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068182/)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film728535.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/aguirre-gniew-bozy)
4. [Source](http://www.cinematografo.it/cinedatabase/film/aguirre-furore-di-dio/20683/)
5. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/37028-Aguirre,-der-Zorn-Gottes.html)
6. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=87601.html)
7. filmportal.de
8. [Source](https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film728535.html)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068182/fullcredits)
10. The Movie Database
11. Freebase Data Dumps
12. [Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes. Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek](https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/6KBBEGQMWL4QGA36Q3I6WQEMX34VJ6V5)
13. Aguirre: The Wrath of God. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes. filmportal.de](https://www.filmportal.de/film/aguirre-der-zorn-gottes_03c1ef261c49487e899d709d7afad5a5)
15. [Aguirre, Wrath of God (1972). BFI Film & TV Database](https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a54c395)
16. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/5903/aguirre-der-zorn-gottes)
17. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0068182/releaseinfo)
18. Kinopoisk
19. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/aguirre-der-zorn-gottes-1/)
20. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
21. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
22. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/44034)
23. Online-Filmdatenbank
24. Bechdel Test Movie List
25. mymovies.it
26. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/88697)
27. Kanopy
28. Trakt.tv
29. FilmVandaag.nl