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      The Great Ecstasy of the Woodcarver Steiner

      1974 45m Documentary List
      Reviews 90% Audience Score 500+ Ratings Walter Steiner is a world-class ski jumper -- he won a silver medal in the 1972 Winter Olympics -- who works full-time as a carpenter. Over the course of his career, he manages to break every major record held in his sport, seemingly without effort. But, unlike other athletes, Steiner is calm and contemplative, choosing isolation over fanfare. For Steiner, the flight of the ski jumper, seen in this documentary in slow motion, is simultaneously a source of ecstasy and a way to face death. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

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      Jonathan Rosenbaum Monthly Film Bulletin The true subject of this otherwise unexceptional documentary, the real object of its spectacle, is not simply Steiner himself but also the director's own interest in him; and both, in turn, are presented as a kind of sensationalism. Nov 10, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Herzog himself called this one of his most important films (in Herzog on Herzog, 2003) and refused to be drawn into making any distinction between what the interviewer referred to as his documentaries and his fiction films. For Herzog, they were all just films - and as we know, his documentaries were always designed to get at "ecstatic truth" rather than what he disparagingly refers to as the "accountant's truth." So, as a director, Herzog is not afraid to stage scenes in his documentaries (based on reality perhaps or extending it in the direction he thinks it should go) and he is not afraid to bring reality into his fiction films (as when he uses indigenous people playing versions of themselves or chooses to really drag a steamboat over a mountain). The act of exploring, crossing, and transcending the blurry line between fiction and fact is what makes Herzog's films great. Clocking in at only 45 minutes, Herzog's look at ski-jumper (or ski-flier) Steiner, a world record holder, positions the athlete as another of the possibly insane dreamers that are often featured in his cinema. After all, who would risk life and limb simply for a few seconds free of gravity, ecstatic though they may be? With Popul Vuh's trance-inducing help, Herzog provides a few ecstatic moments for the viewer too, using high speed cameras to create incredible slow-mo passages of, yes, ski-flying. Steiner himself comes across in interview bits as reserved and a loner (save for a bizarre childhood friendship with a raven, possibly concocted by Herzog I would bet). Those who love Herzog will find many other choice moments, including his standard voiceover (in German this time) as well as the man himself on location with a handheld mic. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member This short documentary is a good sports genre-blending film that focuses on the role of the camera, slow-motion, the interviewer versus the documented, and filmmaking's relationship to ski-flying. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Herzog gives us a good one this time around with some beautiful camera work and an awesome moustache. It reminded me of 'Senna' in some ways but without being so damn sad. This is just bite size but it tastes great - beautiful-looking film with some cool ideas too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Good early documentary by The Herz. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member This was so good. Excellently edited. I especially loved the music. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Herzog's short film about the freedom and fear found in ski-jumping, as well as the pressure of what it's like to be far superior to everyone else at an activity. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Walter Steiner is a world-class ski jumper -- he won a silver medal in the 1972 Winter Olympics -- who works full-time as a carpenter. Over the course of his career, he manages to break every major record held in his sport, seemingly without effort. But, unlike other athletes, Steiner is calm and contemplative, choosing isolation over fanfare. For Steiner, the flight of the ski jumper, seen in this documentary in slow motion, is simultaneously a source of ecstasy and a way to face death.
      Director
      Werner Herzog
      Screenwriter
      Werner Herzog
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      German
      Runtime
      45m