language?

Fitzcarraldo was originally filmed in English and then dubbed in to German. The reason it was originally made in English was that this was the most common language between the cast & crew members.

Also, apologies if you already knew - Jason Robards was the original Fitzcarraldo but filming had to stop when he became ill and after returning to the US was strongly recommended by his doctor not to travel back to the Amazon to complete filming.

Herzog himself prefers the German version.

If you love this film - if you get chance, of course - read Faber & Faber's Herzog on Herzog. Werner Herzog is the freshest breath of fresh air!

Herzog speaks on the commentary about preferring the German language version even though it's dubbed. Obvioulsy he's German, but I'm English and I prefer the German too.

I'm trying to figure out which version to watch myself. No one who has posted on this thread has given their reasons why they prefer German or English. Can anyone shed some light on this?

I am with Herzog in preferring the German version but it is rather difficult to explain why. Normally speaking I have an absolute aversion to dialoue dubbed in another language but in this case, while one understands why Herzog made it in English (as being the only common language) all the dialogue in the English version sounds somehow unnatural with a real cacophony of accents (and some still had to be dubbed by other actors) all speaking a rather bloodless, 'neutral' English. Curiously therefore the German version provides a better homogeneity that (to me at least) makes the film seem more natural.

With the not altogether desirable habit of putting together international casts, it is becoming quite difficult to know what language to listen in. The film Chocolat for instance contains French and English speakers although I rather assume it was shot in English (I saw it in French which actually produces the occasional absurdity that made the audience laugh). Besson's Jeanne d'Arc is another case in point. Since the French-speakers and English speakers are kept apart for the most part, this could for all I know have been shot in both languages.

It is not an entirely new problem. Dino Risi's wonderful Il Sorpasso/Le Fanfaron was an Italian/French co-production. If you listen to the French version, you lose the voice (quintessentially Italian) of Vittorio Gassman but if you listen in Italian, you lose the wonderful voice of co-star Jean-Louis Trintignant. My recommendation would be Italian (since Gassman talks a lot more) but if I review scenes that mainly feature Trintignant I listen to the French version.

At least with dvds one has the choice. At least usually. Bava's La Masquera del Demonio I can only hear in English although this does not appear to be the language it is made in (a bit difficult to say because the dubbing is so bad). I also have a French dvd of Fellini's Fred et Ginger which infuriatingly only has the version in French of the film.

I have the English VHS version of it but I've rented the German/English DVD and I think Kinski is more dynamic or expressive in German. I also have the German/English DVD of Nosferatu and again, prefer the German for the same reasons. But for a first viewing, I like the English. I've seen them both so often that I can watch the German without subtitles and completely enjoy the film.

I have only German version of the movie but I stopped watching it after half hour cause I hate watching dubbed movies. I know Herzog prefers German but I will check the English version anyway.