Every Man for Himself and God Against All

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Dave S Over a career spanning more than fifty years, director Werner Herzog's The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is undoubtedly one of his finest films. Based on actual events and set in early 18th century Germany, a young man who has been held captive in a cellar for this entire life is found standing motionless in the town square. Over a period of years, he is embraced by the locals and slowly begins to reveal his considerable intellect. Known for his interest in fascinating characters that linger on the edge of society and madness (Aguirre, Fitzcarraldo, Nosferatu, Stroszek, etc…), Hauser remains one of his most compelling subjects, thanks in part to a remarkable performance from Bruno S., whose own compelling personal story is as interesting as that of the character he plays. Thanks to Herzog's always creative direction, the fascinating story, and the impactful performances, The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is a must-see movie. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/10/23 Full Review Roy M a hard title to live up to, and yet it does. based on a real case, with a dislocated pacing that suits the film's subject perfectly. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member An enigmatic film as you might expect from the title. A good historical tale that I was previously unaware of. Must have been quite fascinating back there day. Pretty well depicted but with plenty of philosophical poetic licence. And with this ends my Empire 500 list challenge. It's been a pleasure. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member I enjoy very much how he gravitates towards these inexplicable individuals or groups who seem to exist outside of their environment/time in some sense. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member "Enigma" of Kaspar Hauser may lead many to believe that this film is the study of the main subject, it might be so, but while being a study in Kaspar Hauser, the film is a study in us. While watching the film, I starting thinking of the similarities this film shares with The Elephant Man by David Lynch, and how similar yet different these two great filmd are. Through the story of Kaspar Hauser, a real figure from the 1850s, Werner Herzog articulates the nature of Humans and in quite an interesting way. The inhabitants have, before them, this man-child, who they believe is their breakthrough in understanding the earlier humans, and note every single one of his movements or statements in a very comical fashion. With this, Herzog is able to study humans through the man-child and the man alike, the nature of man, the itch, to figure out all they can is as important a study as it can be to figure out Kaspar Hauser. The Elephant Man, i believe, was from a quite frank straightforward thought process of a strange man, Kaspar Hauser's thoughts are puzzled and while constantly developing are not always shown as in the process, but in the small doses of outbursts. I can't point out Herzog's own thoughts to whether he understood the enigma in question, but the way he confines us to a limit of understanding our subjects in an interesting choice to play. This may lead to some quite detached moments from the film, but if given much thought after the film is over, may even lead to breakthrough. In the end, The Enigma Of Kaspar Hauser is an interesting one, with a breakthrough or maybe an illusion of one, a very small stupid illusion which may lead to satisfaction ultimately. Maybe we'll never be able to understand Kaspar Hauser, and his dream world the size of our planet. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/16/23 Full Review david f An interesting film about a boy raised outside of society until he was a teenager and his experience after being left in a townsquare in Germany in the early 1800s. It took me watching the director commentary to really appreciate the themes and the links to the historical figure. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Every Man for Himself and God Against All

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