Aguirre: The Wrath of God

German director Werner Herzog made the film Aguirre: The Wrath of God (originally Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes) in 1973. It is a film based on the historical story of Lope de Aguirre and his group of conquistadors who venture through South America in search of a lost city of gold. The film stars Klaus Kinski, amongst others.

The film opens with a haunting combination of sound and image (a Herzog trademark - see Fitzcarraldo and The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser). Employing a sparse story and dialogue and utilising the mesmeric presence of Kinski, the film creates a compelling vision of madness and folly, counterpointed by the lush but unforgiving Amazonian jungle.

The soundtrack is composed by Popol Vuh, a german progressive/ethno band, that also contributed to others movies of Herzog.