Invincible

Neophytes might be a bit put off by the overdubbing of some of the actors, but that is a trifle. It is just great to be back in Herzog-land again. Like all of his films, there is a central image that tells the whole story. In this story, it is a remarkable dream sequence of The Invincible helping his little brother over rocks (WWII) through a sea of crabs (the Nazis).

In 1932, Poland. During this unstable time, there was a gentle-hearted Jewish blacksmith named Zishe, who is living with his smart young brother and family. Having a big body and incredible strength, he is invited by a travelling agent to come to Berlin to work there. He agrees, and leaves the family to meet Hanussen. self-appointed master of clairvoyance and prophet of the time. Hanussen likes Zishe's physical appearance, so hiding his identy, Hanussen dresses him up as hero Siegfried, showing him on stage before the Nazi troopers. During this unhappy period, he meets a pianist girl named Marta "employed" by Hanussen, and finds his only comfort in her.

The story, if written down like this, might sound trite and banal, but the reality is different. Herzog presents the story like a Greek myth, underlining its allegorical meanings found in the life of Zishe, whom you might find one biblical figure. As he undergoes joy and agory, he realizes what he has to do for his people back in Poland, but the tragic events are, as we know, soon to come. Though the film refuses to show the plights of Jewish people inflicted by Hitler, we sense it is coming there, and Herzog's sometimes bizarre but striking images -- see red crabs, lots of them -- are very effective in reminding us that.

As to Hanussen, played by Tim Roth, he also successfully shows the fragile and tragic aspects of humans under the mask of greedy entrepreneur. The relation beteen him and Zishe is strangely attractive, both having nothing in common except one (that will be revealed at the end). But keep this in mind; he plays rather a suporting role, not the protagonist.

Not everything is perfect, I must say. It is obvious that Jouko Ahola as Zishe and Anna Gourari as Marta are both amateurs as far as acting is concerned. Ahola is really the "strongest man" and won the contest, and Gourari is also really a concert pianist. For the director like Herzog, it is only natural that he cast the real strong man and real pianist into the roles of the strong man and the pianist. But before the professional like Tim Roth, the contrast is too much to ignore. You cannot say this, but you might really miss Klaus Kinski here.

But I was curiously involved in the story, which is not told in a sophisticated fahion, but still always remains strong. And there is an impressive cameo of character actor Udo Kier as Count Helldorf, which is too deghtful to watch.

About Hanussen and Zishe, this film is, I think, Herzog's own version, so you might try to find some books on these interesting people (I actually know another version of story, which tells that they are not partners, but rivals.) And acclaimed Hungarian director Istvan Szabo once made a film about Hanussen (the title, "Hanussen"). If you're interested in this historical person, try to find that one.