Encounters at the End of the World (2007)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  Existential angst gets a huge power-up thanks to Herzog's cranky eye. Fears and sorrows previously limited to mere individuals now apply equally to whole civilizations, species, planets, Gods and universes. Killer beauty movie.

• Matthew R

  
  Quite possibly one of the most fascinating and well-constructed documentaries of its time, Encounters at the End of the World combines hauntingly majestic and beautiful visuals, an eerily chilling and engrossing musical score, and intriguing humanist concepts on language,… More
  Quite possibly one of the most fascinating and well-constructed documentaries of its time, Encounters at the End of the World combines hauntingly majestic and beautiful visuals, an eerily chilling and engrossing musical score, and intriguing humanist concepts on language, environmental effects, the lives of the many species that inhabit Antarctica, and even the fate of humanity itself, all told from the legendary film master Werner Herzog, proving again, not only are his films staples of quality cinema, but that he continues to break boundaries of convention and typical understanding that many of his contemporaries have long since abandoned. This film is not Antarctica: An Adventure of a Different Nature, nor is it March of the Penguins, this is a raw, even dark film that should be on the top of your "to watch" list.

• Chris W

  
  Werner Herzog is such a brilliant filmmaker that I think I hate him as a result. It doesn't help that he makes what he does look so simple either. Of course, it's not as simple as just showing up at a cool and interesting place filming it, then narrating it in an… More
  Werner Herzog is such a brilliant filmmaker that I think I hate him as a result. It doesn't help that he makes what he does look so simple either. Of course, it's not as simple as just showing up at a cool and interesting place filming it, then narrating it in an unmistakable and idiosyncratic voice. It's definitely inspiring though. This film sees him going to Antarctica, not to film the landscape of the wildlife there, but rather the most interesting thing to take up residence there- humans. The landscape and underwater footage (not shot by Herzog) is amazing. Some of it doesn't even look like it's Earth due to this haunting outherwordly quality. What's even more unique is how the buildings don't look like something you'd expect from a movie or something- they are dirty, cluttered, noisy, and filled with the type of crap you find in your average office complex. They even have a damn ice ream machine! The people that Herzog encounters are some of the most out there, yet not too far gone people I've had the pleasure of hearing them talk about their lives and work. I think my favorites are the lady who hides in luggage, and the women who talks about how seals make noises that, to quote her, "sound like Pink Floyd or something". That's just sweet. This film definitely fits in quite nicely with the rest of the stuff Herzog has done, although it is just a tad more mainstream and thus played a little straight. That's not a problem at all, though. If anything, it will encourage people to seek out the rest of his stuff, especially his more off-the-wall fare.

• paul s

  
  Werner uses this film, commissioned by some nature entitiy or other, to expand our minds; not only by showing us the natural wonder of the down under, but placing the savage beauty of the landscape and its denizens in the crosshairs of our collective psyche. By postulating that… More
  Werner uses this film, commissioned by some nature entitiy or other, to expand our minds; not only by showing us the natural wonder of the down under, but placing the savage beauty of the landscape and its denizens in the crosshairs of our collective psyche. By postulating that we are merely visitors - not only in Antartica, but on planet earth, he feels that it is our purpose to watch, explore, and document the amazing orb and all of its populace, including the "wanderers" who seem to congregate in far off places like this. Though the film has a slightly flawed feeling to it - too many people looking dumbfounded in front of the camera - and then meandering in their prose - the underlying stories are mindboggling; not only in what they say about Seals, Penguins, and undersea creatures, but about humans and this bizarre branch of humanity that wanders about experiencing an offbeat, unattached, yet part of the whole kind of life. I think that the secret point of this film, besides the stunning visuals, is to examine what makes us tick. When Werner asks the Penguin expert if he has noticed any penguins who go crazy and just want to get away from the penguin community - he is really making reference to a great many of the people who have migrated to Antartica - not the scientists, who have a greater purpose, but the truck drivers and welders - the funny thing though: for all their escapist lifestyle, they still all congregate in groups within the station - embracing their humanity while rejecting many of the societal forms. In this, as is the case with most Werner films, he has brought much more than a travel-log to the table.

• Daniel H

  
  Herzog is an eccentric, and perhaps an acquired taste. This film hits you with the immediate bluntness and selfishness of a rookie documentarian, but an awareness that the man speaking from behind the camera might actually be someone worth listening to... not in a traditional… More
  Herzog is an eccentric, and perhaps an acquired taste. This film hits you with the immediate bluntness and selfishness of a rookie documentarian, but an awareness that the man speaking from behind the camera might actually be someone worth listening to... not in a traditional documentarian sense of neutrality or cautious respect... but more akin to an entertaining and slightly absent-minded uncle waxing poetic and seeming a bit ridiculous, but still holding the room at rapt attention. Encounters at the End of the World simply follows that eccentric uncle as he wanders around base-camp, talking about whatever wanders into our out of his mind, making unabashedly random and whimsical commentaries with glacial surety. It drags on, but Herzog is simply too forceful to let you go, and you end with a feeling that you were forced along for the ride but weirdly don't regret the experience.

• Anthony L

  
  Encounters at the End of the World is more a study of people rather than a documentary about Antarctica. Typically it's visually stunning and avoids any kind of cliché, this is not another film about Penguins! (Although suicidal gay penguins do get a mention). A must for… More
  Encounters at the End of the World is more a study of people rather than a documentary about Antarctica. Typically it's visually stunning and avoids any kind of cliché, this is not another film about Penguins! (Although suicidal gay penguins do get a mention). A must for Herzog/Documentary fans.

• Gordon A

  
  Given Herzog's pedigree, a rather disappointingly plodding doc with overly intrusive music which revels in dull eccentrics.

• Stella D

  
  it's not another film about penguins. it's a most unusual look at the bizarre land at the bottom of the world and the vagabond dreamers who end up there. much of the film is deeply moving. herzog has a poetic way with such material

• Ross C

  
  It's tough to make a movie about Antarctica that I won't enjoy. That said, I didn't appreciate Werner Herzog's style, with his annoying German-accented narration of interviews with equally annoying American characters. As you'd expect there's a few… More
  It's tough to make a movie about Antarctica that I won't enjoy. That said, I didn't appreciate Werner Herzog's style, with his annoying German-accented narration of interviews with equally annoying American characters. As you'd expect there's a few breathtaking "National Geographic" moments, but this serene beauty is paired with an excessively noisy soundtrack. Overall, the documentary lacked impact as he didn't make any particularly worthwhile point.

• Jennifer X

  
  Movies like this remind me of the beauty of the documentary and its status as a dying art form. Antarctica is an area oft explored but remains perpetually clothed in mystery. I loved hearing about the each of the "professional dreamers" and how poetic and simple and… More
  Movies like this remind me of the beauty of the documentary and its status as a dying art form. Antarctica is an area oft explored but remains perpetually clothed in mystery. I loved hearing about the each of the "professional dreamers" and how poetic and simple and scientific they all were. What one of the guys said about falling to the bottom of the earth and joining together because they were all loose strands was so, so beautiful and so, so true. Sometimes all you need is a little piece of reality to realize how extraordinary real PEOPLE are. Auteur filmmakers like Herzog really need to make more documentaries because they are the masters of the medium.

• Eric B

  
  Quite interesting at times (those incredible seal noises!), "Encounters at the End of the World" nevertheless finds legendary director Werner Herzog searching for a great documentary and failing to find one. This futile quest becomes especially obvious when we see him… More
  Quite interesting at times (those incredible seal noises!), "Encounters at the End of the World" nevertheless finds legendary director Werner Herzog searching for a great documentary and failing to find one. This futile quest becomes especially obvious when we see him hopefully investigate whether penguins are susceptible to madness. Phew. Given Herzog's track record, one would expect the film to dwell on the immensity of glaciers and other powerful images of nature which humble man's importance. But really, this tale is more about people. Herzog interviews quite a few thoughtful characters in the Antarctica encampments, but never finds that crucial person to hang the film's story upon. There's even a shockingly unnecessary, disruptive segment with a *New York* man who hopes to set a record for pogo-sticking across Antarctica. We can sense further frustration as Herzog talks over interview footage of two different people, briefly summarizing their lengthy anecdotes to sustain his cinematic pace. Better luck next time, Werner.

• Mike N

  
  I could've been a song with no music. I could've been a cloud with no sky. I could've been a sea with no water. But those are hard costumes to create. Also, Coraline was really good.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]There are three reasons to watch a documentary:[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]1. To be informed about a fascinating subject.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]2. To be challenged about the way we view the world.[/font] [font=Century… More
  [font=Century Gothic]There are three reasons to watch a documentary:[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]1. To be informed about a fascinating subject.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]2. To be challenged about the way we view the world.[/font] [font=Century Gothic]3. To see what kind of crazy stuff Werner Herzog is up to this week.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]This brings me to "Encounters at the End of the World" wherein Werner Herzog travels to Antarctica lured by some spectacular underwater footage, vowing not to make just another penguin movie.(Relax, there are penguins here. And seals!) After a few days of civilization at McMurdo Station, he is restless and sets off to various base camps to visit with research scientists.(The research represents the four classical elements of earth, fire, air and water.) Even as this research looks back to the origins of the earth, the cosmos and human life, there is also theorizing about the future wherein Herzog is particularly pessimistic about humanity's chances for the long term. While expressing more interest in the human inhabitants than the natural setting(which is photographed wonderfully, by the way), it is ironic that he also makes a great case for humanity surviving. The human race has always shown itself to be very adaptable to any challenges it encounters, so it should comes as no surprise that we have set up shop on a continent that a hundred years previously was thought to be unreachable. And if we can do that, imagine what else we are capable of. [/font]

• Brandon K

  
  Some of the scenery was incredible and Herzog's narration was one of the highlights, but I don't really understand the point of it.

• William G

  
  A somewhat rambling, mostly beautiful documentary about the unique personalities who call the South Pole home.

• Wu C

  
  Anything by Herzog is good. This one is no different. Facinating and educational.

• Sarah P

  
  I thought this documentary had a great mixture and balance between human interest story, science, and beautiful sights and cinematography. A winner.

• Ivan D

  
  The simple plot summary of the film may slightly mislead, as it offers promises of the documentary being of "pure science". But Mr. Herzog being in the directorial chair, there's no doubt there's some twitching of imagery and facts to be used for some artistic… More
  The simple plot summary of the film may slightly mislead, as it offers promises of the documentary being of "pure science". But Mr. Herzog being in the directorial chair, there's no doubt there's some twitching of imagery and facts to be used for some artistic storytelling. Herzog is not that inclined to dig up some obscure, labyrinthine scientific facts, but he instead ventured into Antarctica with existential questions in his hands, hoping not just be answered by the devoted experts in the continent, but by also a way of self-discovery. It was a beautiful picture, but not literally, it is by way playing along the lines of authentic picturesque landscapes of Antarctica and the trademark aching beauty of Herzogian images. The camera is partly used to bear witness to the science eccentrics risking their lives for the sake of more science, and partly as an unblemished, hovering guide to the sheer, unorthodox beauty of unknown territories in the icy corners of Antarctica. Yet another achievement by Werner Herzog, one of the best filmmakers of all time.

• Marcus W

  
  I swear Herzog could turn a camera on a brick wall for nine hours and still produce a fascinating documentary. Here he heads to the South Pole and does his usual trick of examining every single thing. He doesn't take the easy, Oscar-baiting route and bleat on about… More
  I swear Herzog could turn a camera on a brick wall for nine hours and still produce a fascinating documentary. Here he heads to the South Pole and does his usual trick of examining every single thing. He doesn't take the easy, Oscar-baiting route and bleat on about climate-change and penguins - though both do get a mention (the "deranged" penguin bit is really sad), instead he's like a child in constant awe, letting the camera linger, interviewing the people he finds there and watching the bizarre alien-like creatures beneath the ice. It's a brilliant documentary even if you hate ice and the very sight of it makes you sick - such is the greatness of Herzog.

• Barry L

  
  I am a huge fan of naturalist films, I adore Attenborough and his like and could watch them all day. Herzog is a very strange man but this was a wonderfully written and produced piece that just confirmed the fact the we, the human race are nothing but a pox on the face of this planet… More
  I am a huge fan of naturalist films, I adore Attenborough and his like and could watch them all day. Herzog is a very strange man but this was a wonderfully written and produced piece that just confirmed the fact the we, the human race are nothing but a pox on the face of this planet and it will be so much better when we are all gone......anyway its a damn fine film........depression over.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings