Heart of Glass (film)

Heart of Glass (German: Herz aus Glas) is a 1976 film written, directed, and produced by Werner Herzog, set in 18th century Bavaria. The main character is "Hias," based on the legendary Bavarian prophet Mühlhiasl.

Plot synopsis

The setting is an 18th century Bavarian town with a glassblowing factory which produces a brilliant red ruby glass. When the master glass blower dies, the secret to producing the ruby glass is lost, and the town gradually sinks into disorder and madness. The main character is Hias, a seer from the hills, who speaks prophecy to the townspeople.

Production

During shooting, almost all of the actors performed while under hypnosis. Every actor in every scene was hypnotized, with the exception of the character Hias, and the professional glassblowers who appear in the film. The hypnotized actors give very odd performances, giving a very uncommon stylization to the acting. Much of the mysterious dialog of the film was ad libbed by the actors while under hypnosis.^[1]

The majority of the film was shot in Bavaria, just miles from where Herzog was born and raised. Other brief shots (without any of the cast in them) were filmed in various locations around the world that Herzog scouted out, among the locations was Yellowstone National Park. The conclusion of the film was shot on the Skellig Islands.

Herzog, along with other members of the crew, has a cameo as one of the men carrying a load of ruby glass to the river.

References

1. ^ Werner Herzog, DVD commentary for Heart of Glass

• "Heart of Glass" (Skellig Edition, 1976) by Alan Greenberg, including the screenplay by Werner Herzog. English adaptation by Alan Greenberg, with b&w photos by Alan Greenberg.

External links

• IMDb entry