The Inner Chronicle of What We Are - Understanding Werner Herzog 

Well, this was a lot of work! I really hope you enjoy this deep dive into the work of one of my favorite filmmakers, and I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the longer format! Are there any other directors that would be interesting for a video like this?

"We have to articulate ourselves, otherwise we would be cows in a field." What a beautiful way to end it :)

I can't believe I only watched this now. This was amazing and it made me realize again what true cinema is and why I fell in love with it. After being bombarded with frustrating mainstream movies, social media, and other forms of visual distractions I feel like I found my way back. Thank you!

I've met Herzog in 2018 during a panel talk at the DOK Leipzig and he talked about the scene in 24:31 when the two men are crawling on the ice. He said that they met these guys during the production in a local bar a day before shooting the scene mentioned above. Both were absolutely drunk (sorry Russians for this stereotype coming true again) and where asked to crawl about the ice for the documentary. They agreed and appeared (again strongly drunken) on the next day to the lake. In the very end of the scene one stops crawling and lays on the ice. Herzog discovered that this guy simply fell asleep because of his intoxication

37:01 -- My favorite moment of his Ecstatic Truth is this rogue penguin in Encounters At The End Of The World. As the penguin wanders away from its colony towards the distant mountains, possibly towards certain death, Werner's voice-over comes in with a single simple question delivered with such immense curiosity: "BUT WHY!?" That image of the penguin coupled with the question...it gives you a feeling of vast perspective on all living things. First off, the image is unique. No one has ever captured an image like that because why should an image like that exist? The penguin should NOT be doing that. But it IS doing that. The penguin is suddenly drawn to the great landscape like it had a stroke of inspiration to explore, which it put above the need for it's own self preservation. It has been overcome by the beauty of the world. As the image sinks in, we realize that the penguin's eccentric voyage is not unlike the rogue human settlers of Antarctica who are the main subject of the film. The moment taps into a far greater cosmic mystery behind all eccentric behavior driven by dreams, that maybe it isn't just a human trait. There's a sense of discovery, of something simultaneously unexplainable and rightfully stirring to the soul. The image is an idea that is slightly insufficient when you try to articulate in words, as I just tried. Our being witness to that penguin opened a door, allowing us to feel an idea that is greater than the sum of the information received. Ecstatic Truth is poetry witnessed.

This is perhaps the best investigation and academic look into Herzog's work on RU-vid. Literally, tears in my eyes. To call yourself a 'fan' and not a student is an understatement.

No one can talk about crazy filmmakers without talking about the man, the myth, the legend, Werner Herzog. Great to see a video like this one.

This is the best reason for RU-vid to exist. Thank you ❤️

I hope you don’t find this patronising, but you can really tell how much you’ve grown as a creator with this. I loved how you gave us a minute at the end without voiceover to feel and experience for ourselves the ecstatic truth Herzog described. What an incredibly rewarding insight into one of the most ambitious and disparate filmographies out there. Thank you, Tom. You remain my favourite creator on RU-vid. Keep it coming!

"But they serve to communicate a different kind of truth(...) He is not interested in their facts. He is interested in their dreams" I couldn't ever forget this line as long as I draw breath. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for performing such a marvelous essay on this outstanding artist and human.

Right when I feel like I'm giving up hope you give me this and I feel Herzog smile at the humanity of my despair. Thank you.

I'm going through a difficult time in my life (is there ever any non difficult time?) and this work of yours has just helped put a lot of stuff into perspective. Its radiant with ecstatic truth.

I think this has become my absolute favorite RU-vid channel. You dig deep.

This is my favorite RU-vid video and every once in a while I feel compelled to revisit it. It talks about truth and there is much, much truty within it.

I think of Werner Herzog as showing me the dreams of people i will never meet.

I keep coming back to this video. If our world dies from natural causes, then please god let the server hosting this video be one of the places in the universe that expresses something true about humainty. This is amazing Art LSOO.

A 40 minute video!!! Thank you so much for this blessing

I've always had a unconscious connection to Herzog. His images: of the paddleboat on the amazon hill, still from Aguirre Wrath of God have struck me from my first exposure as a schoolboy. He is a magical human and this wonderful documentary reveals how his magic has enriched us. Thank you!

That's what I love so much about your videos: You're not just there to give us a brief overview of something, but talk about what it actually means, not just to you, but to anyone who sees them. Art and stories can mean so much and change people, but often people just talk about if "it's good" and nothing else. There's something inherently resonating about great art, something full of truth and personality, that deserves communication beyond the cynical. Another amazing video, thank you for putting so much time into it.

“My belief is that all these dreams are yours as well. And the only distinction between me and you is that I can articulate them.” 35:58

I wept with joy inside while watching this today - so needed, well told, well imagined and timely for these times when we are all a little more Diogenes as we retreat quietly through quarantine from the dead imagery and noise of society. Well done.

I carry Herzog's book, "Of walking in ice" everywhere with me.

There are very few true artists making films. Herzog is one of them. Thanks for the long work on this.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Beautiful. Elegant. Mesmerizing. Sublime.

Oh my goodness, man, this sacred level good. A holy war against the destructive of TV, the struggle to express our pure essence and be understood by others.... beautiful beyond words. Thank you!

I have not seen any of his movies , but after watching the first 4 minutes of this documentary, I think he might already be my favorite director of all time. I look forward to seeing all his films and learning more about the man.

This is a masterpiece in itself. I am deeply moved by the reverence you show for Herzog even as he shows reverence for the subjects of his film. Thank you.

erste klasse. I never saw Kinski happy. but really genuinely happy that way that he expressing it naturally and with no doubts about it. this was really inner child bliss shown through work of others... resembling true faith in humanity in any form.

This is a very underrated channel. You deserve a larger audience.

This was /exactly/ the sort of video that I was hoping for from this channel. Excellent work!

Honestly one of the most visionary videos I've seen on this platform. Bravo.

Making a career summation this calm, and at times ecstatic, is in itself a Herzogian conquest. Fantastic job.

This is a masterpiece of a video essay. I cannot overstate how powerful and moving this was to me.

Great. 3 days now since I've been introduced to Herzog's cinema, everyday watching a film or documentary by him. Already watched Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Fitzcarraldo and Burden of Dreams, and I am soooo in love by this man. Today, open the youtube and your latest video came upon me. Thanks for this, it was amazing.

Brillant! You chose the right amount of details necessary to touch something we didn't expect. I can't imagine the agony of letting all the ideas and clips go in the process of making this moving documentary.

Love your work, especially all the videos you've covered with the representation of archetypes and Robert Moore's work. I've read and listened to a lot of his stuff and you really do an amazing job of bringing those ideas to life. Powerful stuff man, thanks for everything from Canada!

I really like the way you form such a well thought out critique of the films and film makers that you admire in such an articulate way while also applying obvious talent and skill to way you craft each of your documentaries.

Thank you so much for this gorgeous video. I've been a Patreon supporter for a while now, and this is such a great example of why I am proud to support your work.

What you do is unlike anything else you can find on youtube, every single video I have watched has given me an entirely different perspective, keep it up.

Definitely the most comprehensive Hertzog film review that one could possibly learn in 39 mins. Well researched and well presented. A model for any film review. Thank you. So happy to find your channel. subscribed.

This is so well made, thank you. I’ve seen ‘educational’ videos on RU-vid plenty of times, but never have I actually found one so directly insightful and well-pieced together. Doesn’t at all feel like you just are regurgitating online essays about the subject. What could be scholarly analysis ends up being very emotionally stirring, I think Herzog himself would appreciate that. I’m cringing at myself for writing an earnest RU-vid comment, but it felt necessary.

Herzog has been important to me in a way that’s difficult to articulate ever since I first discovered him. I’ve continually been confounded and troubled and disturbed and challenged and amazed by him. My girlfriend and I love his documentaries and we consider him “our” filmmaker the same way some couples have “our” song or something, partly because Herzog himself is so incredibly interesting to witness, even hilarious. This fabricated, ecstatic truth, the nature of his documentaries and his presence in them, is exactly what makes them stand out so profoundly from others. Basically anytime I’ve seen a documentary, part of me wonders how it would’ve been had it been Herzog behind the camera. Thank you for this gorgeous, articulate video essay. Alongside Ebert’s letter to Herzog, this May be the best take I’ve seen on Herzog’s work and on the man himself

Brilliant as usual. I haven been one of your earliest fans. Keep it up bro. We all are storytellers. Some find the words whereas others find themselves in those words.

I loved some of Herzog's movies so much, that it made me cry. This was a great insight into his work and mind, and I'm truly grateful for it; you reminded me how impressive and beautiful his movies are. Time for some rewatching; cheers!

goddamn, you managed to put everything i love about Herzog into words.his reverence for other cultures, approaching anything alien to him with genuine wonder and sincerity is so beautiful. just an unparalleled genius ... only thing i can throw on that gives me genuine faith in humanity (as much as it's possible) and - dare i say - hope for the future

I once got to meet Herzog when he came to my university. Intimidating in all the right ways

This was an amazing experience of sensibility and deep, both of Herzog and also of whoever made the film, wrote the script weaving in the images and the narrator's soft-spoken voice.

This is one of the greatest documentaries on RU-vid like others have said, and it put into context why I've always loved Herzog. If I could give any human being a great big hug and thank them Itd be Werner, definitely.

Your videos are like a spiritual journey every time I watch one I discover something about myself that I never knew existed

Thank you so much for this. Beautiful video. I shook Werner's hand 3 months ago and was only able to say: "Thank you for everything, sir" and he noded politely. We need to keep burning with all the poetry we can congregate. Wondeful video, impecably researched and edited.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS I CANT WAIT TO WATCH!

Goddamn, I almost cried. Your videos are absolute works of art, and are deeply satisfying. Thanks man.

Already posted here before.. but having watched again.. just wanted to offer heart felt thanks, appreciation and gratitude for creating such an amazingly expressive documentary. It is faultless.. speaks to the mind and the heart.. and your tireless and, I don't doubt, passionate research and understanding toward putting this together is deeply deeply appreciated. I'm not so sure there can ever have been a more fundamentally connecting vision of the works of Herzog in documentary form (perhaps in any form).. and the work is deeply humane and deeply liberating of the ideas and scope of Herzog himself.. perhaps even beyond that which Herzog could relay.. given that you have condensed his art form so well. Thank You! Given the general state of RU-vid (and audience participation) (any video that involves a cat chasing a dog receives 1.5million views within 3 weeks) You are a shining light. : )

thank you so much for your highly curated productions, it is really a bliss and inspiration.

Thank you for your efforts LSOO. You do the world a great service with your amazing work.

Hey.. absolutely fantastic documentary.. thanks so much! So rare to find such quality of work on RU-vid - I find myself absurdly grateful. Truly inspiring.

My favourite director along David Lynch and Tarkovsky, the three know what's up with modernity and I freakin love em for educating me so well. Thank you for this great video, my brother.

I just saw this video. I started to see Herzog's movies recently. I falled in love with this director. Thank to you for your job. I hope for more youtube channels like this.

The most poetic of filmmakers. Images that always fascinate, whether it be feature or documentary. I look forward to continuing seeing more of his output, which is so diverse. What I have seen thus far gives me a good idea of the man. He is a thinker outside the box it might be said.

The first time I saw one of your videos I thought of Werner Herzog. Your analyses are always incredible

I rarely comment on a video, but this time i think i have to. You have no idea how talented you are, from the choice of music, words, editing and how you put everything together is so amazingly good. You have an amazing taste for movies and directors, and i would love to see a feature film form you one day, and i will definitely open a patrion account just to support you. Keep up the good work.

As a great fan of this wonderful film maker Werner Herzog I have seen all his films. Thank you for this great documentary.

What transcendingly beautiful insight and commentary on another transcendingly beautiful film-maker, your efforts shine with a reverence for poetry and deeper meaning that is perfectly fitting for a subject matter like Herzog. Thank you.

Brother, this is amazing in every single way. Thank you so much for your effort and wisdom. Always looking forward to your uploads. As a humble fan of yours I’d love to request “Good Will Hunting” as the next video. I’m sure that your wonderful analysis of that particular movie would be impeccably remarkable. Thanks again and keep’em coming!

That was heavy stuff. Thx you. Minutes before this video I was watching Skateboarding tricks. Then German Tom Selleck came along. I didnt know how deeply invested was W.H Hardcore dude !

Wow. I am excited for this. 40mins of pure awesomeness.

Your taste in music is just as good as your taste in film, I appreciate to find another person who values the art they consume.

I love Herzog. Thank you for this wonderful video.

Beautifully made. The combination of images e music at the end, after learning all this... I had to fight back the tears.

I love your channel man! Your voice , the music , the clips you use the way you tell us the story and teach us about films is truly eye opening Thank you !!!

Well done! One of the best docs on Herzog I have seen.

This is the first of your videos I have seen and I loved it. Thank you.

Wow - great work! I regret that it's taken me this long to finally watch it. Please keep doing what you're doing.

Hier heb je echt veel energie in gestoken, werkelijk een pronkstuk! Dank Je!

Thank you for sharing this peace of art: Incredible work 🙏🙏

I like narrator's voice in Like Stories of Old.

Like Stories of Old is almost incontestably the best channel doing thematic analysis of film on RU-vid. I wish you the best and many more subscribers.

What a gentle and beautiful portrait, Sir! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

He manages to combine the absurdity of it all and the profoundness of every detail in a way so the power of the whole can be felt while making the minutiae seem ridiculous. As above so below. As within so without. That's the best way I can describe it. Herzog seems to know that we're all just children playing games while recognizing how important this play is for our development. He is deeply intuitive and I cherish that in him. Also, thank you for this beautiful film!

Love all of your videos, but this one is really special. I am huge fan of Werner Herzog, but I didn't really understand why before watching this. Thank you!

Wow that overview was itself a masterpiece of a master film maker I'm so moved. I'm so happy I stumbled on Werner Herzog just this week. Now I want to watch everything he's made. I love how he sees the world so inspiring and so wakes me up there's more of us out there! 🌹🌋😳😱🙆🥰

With this examination of Herzog and his films, I dreamed the dreams of others, and learned a little bit about ourselves. Thank you, thank you, thank you.❤

Thank you so much for digging so deep in helping me understanding Werner Herzog films. I wouldn’t be able to do it on my own. Thank you for your brilliant film, efforts and your talent to be able doing so.

Bravo!! Bravo on putting this together. You captured the essence of this man’s quest.

This was incredible! thankyou so much for introducing me into really brilliant cinema and helping in widening my thinking as a whole. all your videos are an inspriration.

This was awesome bro, I am an illiterate when it comes to film, but your work and that of Herzog has a captivating quality to it.

Fascinating and life affirming... sometimes I need to be reminded how deep and rich our world is.

Mate! Haven't even started watching this! Know this, every second will be enjoyed and watched! Appreciate the hard work put in!!!

Thank you. You have captured the essence of Herzog. Your videos never disappoint

Thank you for curating and kindling . . . passion, community and conscientious genius.

How can I even describe how beautiful this is. Thank you so much you talented man.

Now I just listen to you while painting. Your usage of voice helps to calm the mind and you are a good thinker

I'm glad I subbed to your channel the first time watching one of your videos, which now has turned into watching all of them. Some of which I've watched multiple times. Always happy to see a new video uploaded, and excited for the ones to come. Keep up the great work :)

You are the best movie channel on RU-vid. I love you. Keep up the quality.

This is exceptional. Thank you for putting the time in.

during the first lockdown, here in the UK, i was in the depths / absolute apex of my alcoholism that i would some months later be pulled out of by my body letting me know that i was on the way out in an extremely chronic and painful way, a process that lasted almost a year of persistent cramping etc. however, in the midst of my doldrum, one morning i had been up for almost 2 days and found myself re-watching this video and, for some reason i'm still trying to make sense of, i found myself reaching the final act and absolutely bawling my eyes out for almost an hour straight. something about the insight and the profoundly resonant existential sorrow might have something to do with it. i'm oddly grateful for it.

This was incredibly beautiful and I am so glad to have stumbled upon it. Thank you.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. Mr. Herzog was on a podcast almost 2 years ago, but because of my ignorance I lost interest. This video brought a whole new light, and I will be listening to that podcast again with open eyes.

I really appreciate the effort you put into this. Congratulations.

You are so inspiring. I think there is the rest of essays, and there is enlightement: your channel. You are what I aspire to accomplish.