The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz
| The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Werner Herzog |
| Produced by | Werner Herzog |
| Written by | Werner Herzog |
| Cinematography | Jaime Pacheco |
| Edited by | Werner Herzog |
Release dates | 1966 |
Running time | 15 min. |
| Country | West Germany |
| Language | German |
The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz (German: Die Beispiellose Verteidigung der Festung Deutschkreuz) is a 1966 short film by Werner Herzog filmed in Deutschkreuz, Austria.[1] Herzog's official website describes the film as "A satire on the state of war and peace and the absurdities it inspires."[2]
In the film, four men break into an abandoned castle that was the site of a battle between the Russians and Germans during World War II. The men find old military uniforms and equipment, and equip themselves for a defense of the castle. They see farmers approaching the castle, but are disappointed when they fail to attack. The film ends with the four men, armed, storming out of the castle's front gates. The film's actors have no dialogue- the only spoken text is delivered by a narrator, who discusses his thoughts on war and various other subjects.
Director's Thoughts
"...My next film, also shot in 35 mm, was The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz which was financed by the money I got from the screenplay award (for Signs of Life). The four actors got something, but the basic expenses were for the raw stock and the lab fees. It is a short film about a group of young men protecting an abandoned castle from imaginary attackers. It is the same kind of theme that I worked with in Signs of Life a few years later. People think they are being besieged, yet there is actually no enemy and they are left in the lurch."
References
- ↑ Herzog, Werner (2001). Herzog on Herzog. Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-571-20708-1.
- ↑ Wernerherzog.com