The story of Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, an extremely determined man who intends to build an opera house in the middle of a jungle.
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Title: Fitzcarraldo (1982)
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Edit
Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Klaus Kinski | ... | Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald - 'Fitzcarraldo' | |
| Claudia Cardinale | ... | Molly | |
| José Lewgoy | ... | Don Aquilino | |
| Miguel Ángel Fuentes | ... | Cholo | |
 |
Paul Hittscher | ... | Captain (Orinoco Paul) |
|
|
Huerequeque Enrique Bohorquez | ... | Huerequeque (The Cook) (as Huerequeque Enrique Bohórquez) |
|
|
Grande Otelo | ... | Station master (as Grande Othelo) |
| Peter Berling | ... | Opera Manager | |
|
|
David Pérez Espinosa | ... | Chief of Campa Indians |
| Milton Nascimento | ... | Black Man At Opera House | |
|
|
Ruy Polanah | ... | Rubber Baron |
|
|
Salvador Godínez | ... | Old Missionary |
|
|
Dieter Milz | ... | Young Missionary |
|
|
William Rose | ... | Notary (as Bill Rose) |
|
|
Leoncio Bueno | ||
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (92) »
Storyline
Fitzcarraldo is an obsessed opera lover who wants to build an opera in the jungle. To accomplish this he first has to make a fortune in the rubber business, and his cunning plan involves hauling an enormous river boat across a small mountain with aid from the local Indians. Written by Rune Sandnes <rune@nvg.unit.no>
Plot Keywords:
based on true story | opera | jungle | river boat | new german cinema |Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
10 October 1982 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Fickaraldo See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Werner Herzog Filmproduktion, Pro-ject Filmproduktion, Filmverlag der Autoren See more »
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
[shouting and ringing the church bells]
Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald - 'Fitzcarraldo': I want my opera house! I want the opera house! This church remains closed until this town has its opera house. I want my opera house! I want my opera house! I want my opera house!
See more »
from "I Puritani" by Vincenzo Bellini
Orquesta Sinfonica del Repertorio, Lima
Conducted by Maestro Manuel Cuadros Barr
Chorus Camerata Vocale "Orfeo"
Soli: Dona Elvira: Isabel Jimines de Cisneros
Arturo: Liborio Simonella
Giorgio: Jesús Goiri
Walton: Christian Mantilla
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In Werner Herzog: Filmemacher (1986) the director visits again the place where he says, he had the original inspiration for this film: The ancient Carnac Stones in Carnac, Brittany, France. The huge rocks are so heavy that to this day it's unknown how they could be transported 5000 years ago. See more »Goofs
When the Molly Aida is to be re-floated on the Uyacali river, coming from the west, the Ucayali should be seen flowing to the north, which would be from right to left, but in that short scene the current is visibly flowing from left to right. See more »Quotes
Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald - 'Fitzcarraldo': This church remains closed until this town has its opera house. I want the opera house.[shouting and ringing the church bells]
Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald - 'Fitzcarraldo': I want my opera house! I want the opera house! This church remains closed until this town has its opera house. I want my opera house! I want my opera house! I want my opera house!
See more »
Soundtracks
Opera on boardfrom "I Puritani" by Vincenzo Bellini
Orquesta Sinfonica del Repertorio, Lima
Conducted by Maestro Manuel Cuadros Barr
Chorus Camerata Vocale "Orfeo"
Soli: Dona Elvira: Isabel Jimines de Cisneros
Arturo: Liborio Simonella
Giorgio: Jesús Goiri
Walton: Christian Mantilla
See more »
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This film was a real labour of love for Werner Herzog (he said at the time of making it: "I live my life or end my life with this film"). The movie tells the story of an entrepreneaur (Klaus Kinski) who is obssessed with the idea of building a Grand Opera house in the Peruvian jungle. To get the money to do this however, he has to set off on a long and dangerous journey to open up new trade routes for a previously inaccessible part of the jungle, rich in valuable rubber trees.
The most famous image in the film is the hauling of a large steam-boat up the side of a mountain (a feat which was achieved by the film-makers without the aid of special effects). Visually, the film is spectacular and everything is beautifully photographed. Kinski is superb as the crazed adventurer.
On the minus side, however, some viewers might be put off by the slow pace of the film.
This film stands as one of Herzog's best, and most accessible works, and is a must-see for anyone.