Pilgrimage (2001) A Werner Herzog Filmproduktion for BBC DivX 190 kbps | 608 x 352 | MP3 121 kbps | 18 min | 233MB Language: English | Genre: Documentary
A short documentary by Werner Herzog with music by world famous British composer Sir John Tavener.
A film about the pilgrimage to the Virgin of Guadalupe, to the tomb of Saint Sergei in Zagorsk/Russia and other places around the world, but mainly a film (and music) about the deep spirituality, religious fervor and profound human suffering of pilgrims.
"Pilgrimage" is essentially a series of shots of separate sets of pilgrims heading towards an undisclosed destination, set to music. I can sort of understand where Herzog is heading here (the quote displayed at the start of the film sort of makes things obvious), but it doesn't really seem to warrant a film, as even at 18 minutes long this feels a little stretched out and rather pointless. It is visually arresting, though, and it is an intimate portrait of something most of us don't really understand or connect with (even if we are always in a sense on a personal pilgrimage). It also isn't boring at all, although the music is a bit grating at times. All in all worth watching for Herzog enthusiasts, but a rather flat and bland film overall, with some wonderful and beautiful shots.
