The Great Ecstasy of the Woodcarver Steiner

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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 4.5/5 Stars •  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 3.5/5 Stars •  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 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Good early documentary by The Herz. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  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 4.5/5 Stars •  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 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Great Ecstasy of the Woodcarver Steiner

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