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Woyzeck (1979)

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Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 2
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.8/5
User Ratings: 3,964

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Movie Info

Controversial German director Werner Herzog helmed this cinematization of Woyzeck, playwright Georg B�chner's anti-military tale of depersonalization run amok. Utilizing the more grotesque elements of German expressionism, combined with his own sense of the outrageous, Herzog plunges us directly into the middle of his story of a soldier (Klaus Kinski) who is conditioned to be an unthinking killing machine through lab experimentation. His one vestige of humanity is his love for the beautiful

Unrated, 1 hr. 22 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Directed By: Werner Herzog

Written By: Georg B�chner, Werner Herzog

In Theaters: Aug 24, 1979 Limited

On DVD: Mar 28, 1991

Cast

Critic Reviews for Woyzeck

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (2) | DVD (6)

Woyzeck is, if possible, ever more mysterious by the time we reach the end than it is at the beginning.

May 9, 2005 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

The film seems to have been barely directed--the camera setups are relentlessly banal.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Often painful but never truly affecting.

May 25, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

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Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

Klaus Kinski is exceptional and Herzog's narrative captivating.

April 23, 2003 Comment

Moira Sullivan

FilmFestivals.com

Handsomely mounting each scene, the director has trouble attaining any forward momentum, though he achieves some powerful moments while trying.

February 3, 2003 Full Review Source: AV Club

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Keith Phipps

AV Club

Oppressive and unsatisfying.

May 24, 2001 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide

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Jaime N. Christley

Apollo Guide

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Audience Reviews for Woyzeck

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I liked the parts of Woyzeck (Klaus Kinski's a m a z i n g performance and Werner Herzog's brilliant direction) but for some odd reason I didn't wind up loving the sum of said parts. For me the watch was kind of grueling (namely the story) but at by the time the whole thing was done I'm glad I saw it, but I don't feel

November 5, 2010

Michael Gildea

Super Reviewer

The combined raw acting talent of Kinski and the brilliance (and notably different directing style for this film) of Herzog combined makes this film great. It?s the script that makes it stand out as being fantastic!

October 1, 2009