The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

jtj

Watching a few of the Herzog films here, I remember how his films acclimate me over time. It does not happen over the course of one film, particularly with his earlier features (there is a different logic to his documentaries; their pleasure and humor tend to be more direct). Eventually, though, I can see them as hilarious and devastating kinetic canvases. This film is a prime example of that tuning process.

Swag Yolo

Kasper Hauser never dreamed in the cellar, he declares, but the truth is that he knew of nothing else than the cellar to dream about. This movie creates a perfect balance: it is one with great content and it is one with a great cinematography accompanied by a great soundtrack.

Umberto L.

A film that smells of Europe: the more Herzog films I watch, the more I admire this director!

All Is Grace

I love this film and yes, I do have 481 reasons to love Herzog's films. 5 stars out of 5 for this visually beautiful enigma.

FilmEdie

Herzog, on his historical 'Enigma' (or the way better, less American, title 'Every Man for Himself and God Against All'): “It is not the accountant's truth of cinema vérité; it is an ecstatic truth...” Which, when you write a film based on an extraordinary story, then just happen to find, by chance, an unknown with an improbably similar story to play the lead, seems a reasonable claim. Existential & ambitious. 4.25

Wee Hunk

Being a con-man is not interesting enough, so Herzog transforms Kaspar into an innocent telling the truth. It allows him to take his life and draw different conclusions. Part of it is in the original title "Every Man for Himself and God Against All". Herzog's casting choice is inspired, as he seems to find madmen everywhere he looks.

Zac Weber

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser is a strange and beautiful film that displays Werner Herzog's personal sense of detachment from the mores of "civilized" society. Bruno S. completely submits himself to the role, and the color palette really comes to life if you get a chance to see a quality 35mm print.

Mark Garrett

Self-important. Further, it promotes lyricism as an alternative to rationalism. Sure, it doesn't make a lick of sense that someone could live in an unmoving position for seventeen, but if it's all set to Mozart and noble savage sensibilities then...forget it?