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Lessons of Darkness (1992)
"Lektionen in Finsternis" (original title)

7.9
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Ratings: 7.9/10 from 2,498 users  
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This film shows the disaster of the Kuwaitian oil fields in flames. In contrast to the common documentary film there are no comments and few interviews. What must have been the hell itself ... See full summary »

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Title: Lessons of Darkness (1992)

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This film shows the disaster of the Kuwaitian oil fields in flames. In contrast to the common documentary film there are no comments and few interviews. What must have been the hell itself is presented to the viewer in such beautiful sights and beautiful music that one has to be fascinated by it. The German title translates 'lessons in darkness'. Written by Oliver Heidelbach

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interview | oil field | flame | oil | ruins | See more »


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26 October 2002 (Hong Kong)  »

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Lessons of Darkness  »

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1.78 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Werner Herzog cheerfully admitted that the quote at the end of the film, allegedly by Pascal, was completely made up and falsely attributed to give it more weight. See more »

Goofs

In an aerial shot, the shadow of the camera's helicopter is visible (about 10 minutes, 8 seconds into the film). See more »

Quotes

Narrator: Two figures are approaching an oil well. One of them holds a lighted torch. What are they up to? Are they going to rekindle the blaze? Is life without fire become unbearable for them?... Others, seized by madness, follow suit. Now they are content. Now there is something to extinguish again.
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Connections

Featured in The Last Winter (2006) See more »

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User Reviews

atmospheric magic
26 June 2000 | by (New York City) – See all my reviews

I was lucky enough to catch a one-off showing of this at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and it completely floored me. Although not for everyone (as with all Herzog films), he gives us a present day apocalyptic vision, infused with biblical and mythical power that ranks as highly as any of his feature film efforts. Herzog's lush visuals reach a new peak (in particular the aerial footage), as they are accompanied by incredibly fitting music and narration. This film is as close as cinema comes to painting. If you get a chance to see this, then do not hesitate. Prepare yourself for a rush.


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