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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE ENIGMA OF KASPAR HAUSER
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser

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The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1975)

90%
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83%
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90 %
Reviews Counted: 10 Fresh: 9  Rotten:1 Average Rating: 7.5/10

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The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Synopsis: Director Werner Herzog (AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD; FITZCARRALDO) approaches the true story of famous wild child Kaspar Hauser as a metaphor, continuing his cinematic investigations into human consciousness and civilization. In 1828, Kaspar was found in the town square of Nuremberg,... Director Werner Herzog (AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD; FITZCARRALDO) approaches the true story of famous wild child Kaspar Hauser as a metaphor, continuing his cinematic investigations into human consciousness and civilization. In 1828, Kaspar was found in the town square of Nuremberg, Germany, hardly able to speak or walk, having been kept in solitary confinement by unknown forces for his entire life. As Kaspar is taken in by the locals, his integration into society and the curiosity posed by his mysterious and possibly dangerous origins start to pull at the carefully kept seams of civilization. In Kaspar, Herzog creates an idealized and unspoiled perspective through which to see both the ridiculous and the sublime aspects of humanity and nature as well as the interaction between the two that results in civilization. Breathtaking and eerie images of natural landscapes are juxtaposed with the intricate artifice of Kaspar's indoctrination into the language, thought, religion, and culture of 19th-century Germany. Bruno S. (Stroszek in Herzog's film of the same name) gives an astonishing performance as the haunting man-child Kaspar, stumbling, literally and figuratively, through his newfound environment, giving human and emotional life to the enigma of Kaspar Hauser. [More]

Genre: Foreign Films

Starring: Bruno S., Walter Ladengast, Brigitte Mira

Director: Werner Herzog
Screenwriter: Werner Herzog
Producer: Werner Herzog

DVD Info

Release:

Aug 1, 2002

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Anamorphic - 1.77:1

Audio:

  • Mono - German
  • Subtitles - English - Optional

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - 1. Werner Herzog - Director, Norman Hill
  • Trailers

Interactive Features:

  • Scene Access
  • Interactive Menus

Text/Photo Galleries:

  • Biographies - 1. Werner Herzog - Director

Reviews

 
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1 - 13 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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01/26/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
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03/24/04
Channel 4 Film
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N/R

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10/09/01
Guardian [UK]
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3/5

The film has turgid stretches, but this flaw is largely overwhelmed by compositions which are meaningful and hypnotic, and a startling performance from Bruno S as poor Kaspar.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/10/01
Michael Thomson
BBC
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N/A

It's a very odd story but Herzog brings it across with a touching human side and a refreshing lack of sentimentality.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/10/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
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N/A

A lyrical film about the least lyrical of men.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/04/08
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/20/05
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
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4/5

Every Man is a superb movie because Mr. Herzog has managed to treat the fable in stunning human and dramatic terms.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/09/05
Richard Eder
New York Times
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3.5/4

Stuffed with obscure images and silent passages of profound, frightening insight.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/26/05
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
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4/5

No review available.

comment Comment
07/24/03
Ryan Cracknell
Movie Views
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N/A

There is a profound philosophy at the base of Kasper Hauser: How does emotional growth occur, deprived of any foreign influence, sociological, familial or otherwise?

Full Review | comment Comment
08/15/02
Rumsey Taylor
Not Coming to a Theater Near You
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4/4

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser achieves timelessness through its satire and its sensibilities seem less stodgy than in most period films.

Full Review | comment Comment
03/05/02
Jeremy Heilman
MovieMartyr.com
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C-

Kaspar Hauser is one of the purest film examples I know of in which an artist of Romantic sensibility puts society to the test and finds it wanting.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Walter V. Addiego
San Francisco Examiner
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