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Into the Inferno

Into the Inferno

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Summary

With stunning views of eruptions and lava flows, Werner Herzog captures the raw power of volcanoes and their ties to indigenous spiritual practices.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Trevor Johnston

Veteran German director Werner Herzog once suggested that if he hadn't been a film-maker he would have studied volcanoes instead, and here he embarks on a feature-length global tour in the company of Cambridge University volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer. This time Herzog largely stays off-camera, allowing the mild-mannered Englishman to take centre stage, sharing his knowledge of key volcanic sites from Indonesia to Ethiopia and even North Korea, while also proving a gently probing interviewer as community chiefs in the South Pacific reveal their unique religious beliefs inspired by active peaks. Overall, it's an education in the brooding potency of volcanic threat and the imaginative hold it has on local peoples, backed up by awe-inspiring landscape shots and Herzog's characteristically poetic choices in classical music. Typically, there's also much quizzical humour and quirky side-track visits to the Pyongyang metro system and an Indonesian church shaped like a giant chicken. All in all, Herzog's most delightfully entertaining and purposeful documentary outing since 2007's treasurable Encounters at the End of the World.

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7.2/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameClive OppenheimerClive Oppenheimer

Crew

rolenameDirectorWerner Herzog

Details

Theatrical distributor

Dogwoof

Released on

2016-10-28

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence.

Formats

Colour

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