Herzog’s Aguirre, the Wrath of God Re-Released in Stunning 4K, Illuminating a Brutal ancient expedition
Werner Herzog’s 1972 masterpiece, Aguirre, the Wrath of god, has been restored adn re-released in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray by the BFI, bringing renewed attention to the harrowing true story that inspired the film: the 1560 Spanish expedition down the Amazon River in search of El Dorado. While Herzog crafts an otherworldly allegory of empire and madness, the film’s power stems from its grounding in a historical event marked by colonial violence, starvation, and ultimately, the disintegration of a conquistador force.
The expedition, led by Gonzalo Pizarro, aimed to locate the legendary city of gold, but quickly devolved into a desperate struggle for survival. Driven by dwindling supplies and mounting dissent, Pizarro’s men, numbering roughly 340, faced disease, hostile indigenous populations, and the unforgiving jungle. Facing mutiny, Pizarro appointed the relatively unknown Francisco de Aguirre as commander of a smaller contingent to continue the search. Aguirre’s subsequent actions – abandoning the main force and embarking on a reckless, self-reliant journey – mirror the film’s depiction of a descent into obsession and tyranny.
Historical accounts, primarily documented in the writings of Gaspar de Carvajal, a Dominican friar who accompanied the expedition, reveal Aguirre’s increasingly erratic behavior. Carvajal’s relación de las tierras de la Florida details Aguirre’s brutal treatment of the indigenous peopel encountered along the river, his insubordination towards Pizarro, and the growing fear among his men. Aguirre, believing himself destined for greatness, reportedly ordered the murder of several of his own men suspected of plotting against him.
Herzog’s film,starring Klaus Kinski in a legendary performance,doesn’t attempt a strictly factual recreation. Instead,it uses the historical framework to explore themes of ambition,isolation,and the destructive nature of power. The film’s depiction of Aguirre’s detachment from reality, his increasingly grandiose pronouncements, and the fatalistic journey downriver are amplified for dramatic effect. Though, the core of Aguirre’s character – a ruthless, power-hungry conquistador willing to sacrifice everything for his own ambitions – is rooted in the historical record.
The re-release of Aguirre, the Wrath of God coincides with a broader re-evaluation of colonial history and its lasting impact. Films like Zama (2017) and The Settlers (2023) similarly confront the brutality and moral failings of the Spanish colonial project. Yet, Herzog’s film remains unique in its psychological intensity and its ability to transform a specific historical event into a worldwide parable about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the corrosive effects of empire.
Aguirre, the Wrath of God is now available on BFI 4K UHD and Blu-ray.