The film Aguirre, The wrath of God, is a 1972 German film. It is an adventure art film that was directed by Werner Herzog. The central character in the film is Klaus Kinski. The film gives the tale of a Spanish soldier who guides a team of conquistadores along the Orinoco and Amazon River in South America looking for a mythical city of gold. Through the use of a simple story and conversation, the film builds an image of madness and folly, counterpointed by the luxuriant but harsh Amazon jungle.
The film brings out a number of themes that depict the main issues affecting the society of the time the film was played. When the team to go down the river in search of refreshments and riches is appointed, a priest to accompany the team is called. This shows that the people believed in a certain religion, and in all of their activities they had to invoke the priest. Religion is portrayed as respected and believed culture practice among the people.
During the voyage down the river, the right roles of religion are ignored and the appointed priest acts under his own interests. When Ursua’s wife calls upon him to intervene in Ursua’s case, he does not help, but rather quotes some bible verses that are of no meaning to the situation at hand. The priest sides with Aguirre in his quest for riches and power. This shows the misuse and abuse of religion by those at the helm of leadership. When the group encounters some Indians sailing it kills them on accusations of blasphemy. This shows disrespect of other people’s religion and beliefs.
Another major theme portrayed in the film is that of power. Aguirre is painted as a power hungry character. He plots a rebellion against Ursua the chosen leader and eventually works out a plan of how to kill him. Aguirre coerces the fellow soldiers to appoint Guzman, the lazy Emperor as their leader because he knows he can easily control him. When the emperor challenges Aguirre’s decision he is killed and Aguirre assumes power. Aguirre rules with an iron fist, ruthlessly, and mistreating the natives and individuals he encountered. Even after all his people are killed his thirst for power still ensues and sees him dismembered as he tries to overthrow the ruling authority. Aguirre is obsessed with power such that he likens himself to God, he makes a delusion of him being the ‘wrath of God’. Power in this film is shown as being the core of all the conflicts, wars, adventures, and expeditions of the people in the society. The rise of Aguirre to power by use of force showcases the real life of the society.
The central message conveyed by this film is that of humanity. The film tries to show inhumanity among people so that the society can learn what it means to be human. The emperor has no problem feeding himself well while the rest of the men starved. Aguirre does not care what it cost for him to attain power.
The different characters in this film are motivated by different factors to sail further down the river. Aguirre is motivated by attainment of power, riches, and the legendary gold city. The priest is motivated by the riches promised by Aguirre. The men are motivated by the sole reason of staying alive. Under the leadership of Aguirre and person who shared a contrary opinion to his faced death.
Throughout the sailing there are alliances formed t rebel against the leadership. Aguirre plays the role of leading the opposition alliances which eventually overthrow Ursua and all those loyal to him. Conflicts arose over having different opinions about issues. When Ursua wanted the dead en to be carried back to the camp Aguirre saw this as a hindrance to their journey. Another conflict arose when Ursua wanted the soldiers to return to their camp. All this conflict and alliances shape the direction the film takes.
Water in the film takes a very central role in the flow of the film. The film setting is more on water than on dry land. Water serves to show the dangerous and unforgiving nature the men had to endure and face .The role of the river is to act as way through which the people used to travel to new lands. The river also play that role of that unforgiving part of nature to the cruelty of mankind, as it destroys and washes away the rafts and the men.
The relationship between the river and the Atlantic world can be described as cordial. The captain tell his men to follow the river and they will be sure to find better places (Aguirre: The wrath of God, Film). The people of the Atlantic world believe the river to be the source of all good. Contrary to the belief of the people, the river rises as if in a rebellion to trap and wash the rafts, and also contains dangerous rapids acting like a barrier to exploration.
Work cited
Aguirre: The wrath of God. Dir. Werner Herzog. 1972. Film.
