Fitzcarraldo - making a drama out of a mountain ... and a boat

Written and directed by German filmmaker Werner Herzog, Fitzcarraldo tells the tale of opera lover Brian 'Fitzcarraldo' Fitzgerald who, while living in Peru in the early part of the 20th century, dreams of building an opera house deep within the Amazon rainforest - yeah I know, but stick with it.

Because the cost of the venture would be so great, Fitz goes into the rubber business, given that at the time rubber was one of the most profitable industries in Peru. He identifies a largely untapped, rubber rich area, but soon identifies why the area is untapped. Access is cut off by a vicious set of rapids.

Undeterred, Fitz buys himself a steamer and sets of down the Amazon, despite warnings of hostile natives. But when they get to the point of no return, the opera lover employs the natives to help him carry the steamer over a mountain avoiding the rapids.

Apart from the expected difficulties of managing to carry a 320-ton steamer over a mountain, Herzog had more difficult with casting the movie. Originally lined up for the role of Fitzcarraldo was Once Upon a Time in the West star Jason Robards was originally cast in the title role, but he became ill and was forced to leave.

Next to be considered for the part was Jack Nicholson who was eventually beaten to the role by West German star Klaus Kinski. Mick Jagger was originally cast as Fitzcarraldo's assistant Wilbur, but his shooting schedule expired and he abandoned steamer to go on tour. Herzog dropped Jagger's character from the script altogether and reshot the film from the beginning.

Despite choosing his leading man, Herzog regularly fought with Kinski who also clashed with members of the crew and it's said he even upset the native extras. In fact, Herzog even recalls that one of the native chiefs even offered to murder Kinski. Herzog declined the offer because he needed the star to finish the film.

So after all that, what you get is a film which chronicles one man's obsessive compulsion to see his dream become reality - and that's just the story behind the story.

Fitzcarraldo Movie Trailer