Werner Herzog Collection (7-disc Blu-ray Box Set) Blu Ray – Claudia Cardinale, Antonis Papadakis

Collection of 18 films and documentaries from acclaimed German director Werner Herzog, famed for his blending of documentary realism with heightened stylisation. In ‘Aguirre, Wrath of God’ (1972), a Spanish expedition led by Lope de Aguirre (Klaus Kinski) aims to cross the Peruvian Sierras in search of the legendary Inca city of El Dorado. ‘The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser’ (1974) stars Bruno Schleinstein as the title character, telling the true story of the German boy who spent the first two decades of his life chained up in a cellar. Set in 18th Century Bolivia, ‘Heart of Glass’ (1976) stars Josef Bierbichler as Hias, a man with supernatural foresight who predicts a fire that will destroy the town’s glassblowing factory. ‘Stroszek’ (1977) stars Schleinstein as a Berlin street performer recently released from prison who tries to get his life back on track with the help of his prostitute friend Eva (Eva Mattes). ‘Nosferatu, the Vampyre’ (1979) stars Kinski as the infamous Count Dracula, a peculiarly pale man with a penchant for vampirism. ‘Woyzeck’ (1979) is a film adaptation of the play by George Büchner telling the story of a lowly soldier who works all the hours he can to provide for his illegitimate child. In ‘Fitzcarraldo’ (1982), a budding rubber baron sets about trying to transport a steamship over a hill that hides access to an area rich in rubber. The film is based on true events. ‘Cobra Verde’ (1987) is a drama based on the novel ‘The Viceroy of Ouidah’ by Bruce Chatwin which sees a dissolute Brazilian rancher who has resulted to working on a gold mine after his land was destroyed by a drought. Short films and documentaries also featured in this collection include ‘The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz’ (1967), ‘Last Words’ (1968), ‘Precautions Against Fanatics’ (1969), ‘Handicapped Future’ (1970), ‘Fata Morgana’ (1971), ‘Land of Silence and Darkness’ (1971), ‘The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner’ (1975), ‘How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck’ (1976), ‘Huie’s Sermon’ (1980) and ‘God’s Angry Man’ (1980).

The Werner Herzog Collection – an extensive DVD box set compiling 18 films from the legendary German director. Features digitally remastered presentations of classics such as Aguirre Wrath of God (1972); The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974); Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) and Fitzcarraldo (1982) plus many of Herzog’s hugely acclaimed short films. Extras include Jack Bond’s long-unseen South Bank Show on Herzog from 1982 and Les Blank’s Burden of Dreams. Contents: The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz (1967) Last Words (1968) Precautions Against Fanatics (1969) Fata Morgana (1971) Handicapped Future (1971) Aguirre Wrath of God (1972) Land Of Silence and Darkness (1971) Stroszek (1977) The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974) The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner (1974) Heart of Glass (1976) How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck (1978) Woyzeck (1979) Nosferatu (1979) Fitzcarraldo (1982) Huie’s Sermon (1983) God’s Angry Man (1983) Cobre Verde (1987) Special Features: All Films Digitally Remastered to High Definition Alternative German and English version of Nosferatu the Vampyre Nosferatu – On set documentary (1979 13 mins) Burden of Dreams (1982 93 mins) South Bank Show: Werner Herzog (Jack Bond 1982 50 mins) Illustrated Booklet with Extensive Essay by Laurie Johnson; Full Film Credits