This is mandatory viewing for Herzog fans. It's an inside joke, but for those who get it, it's loose, funny and, in its own way, Herzogian.
Incident at Loch Ness (2004)
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Reviews Counted:46
Fresh:28
Rotten:18
Average Rating:6.1/10
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for brief strong language
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Theatrical Release:Sep 17, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: In the Summer of 2003, acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog set out to make a documentary about Scotland's infamous Loch Ness, purported home of a prehistoric creature known as "Nessie." Herzog's... In the Summer of 2003, acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog set out to make a documentary about Scotland's infamous Loch Ness, purported home of a prehistoric creature known as "Nessie." Herzog's stated intent was "to explore the origin and the necessity of the monster" rather than to look for the creature itself. The film was to be called "Enigma of Loch Ness." At the time Herzog began production, noted cinematographer and filmmaker John Bailey was already directing a documentary about him, tentatively called "Herzog in Wonderland." This would not be the first time that Herzog would be profiled while making a film, but it would perhaps be the last. What neither Bailey nor Herzog could have predicted is that the Engima of Loch Ness would never be completed. The chaos that had followed Herzog on his other epic quests would follow him to Loch Ness. The production ground to a halt after a boating accident just weeks into shooting. Charges of mismanagement, and even criminally negligent behavior, were leveled in multiple directions. For the first time in his career, Herzog would shut a film down for good. In the fall of 2003, the unfinished "Enigma of Loch Ness" was combined with the footage John Bailey had shot for "Herzog in Wonderland." The resulting film, Incident at Loch Ness, was completed by editors Howard Smith and Abby Shwarzwalder, but due to numerous pending lawsuits, the credits for that film remain undecided. In the ensuing legal fracas, a series of startling film clips made their way onto the internet. The footage was purported to be the clearest ever taken of the elusive monster, but it was accompanied by claims of a hoax. The answer as to the origin and validity of these clips remains unclear. Incident at Loch Ness chronicles the story of the making (and unmaking) of Herzog's film, as well as the aftermath of that fateful effort. Shocking, controversial, and strangely humorous, the film raises many questions about where reality ends and fiction begins. It is also the portrait of a great adventurer on his most bizarre and tragic quest. -- © 20th Century Fox [More]
Starring: Werner Herzog, Kitana Baker, Gabriel Beristain, Russ Williams
Starring: Werner Herzog, Kitana Baker, Gabriel Beristain, Russ Williams, David Davidson, Michael Karnow, Zak Penn
Director: Zak Penn
Director: Zak Penn
Producer: Zak Penn
Composer: Henning Lohner
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Reviews for Incident at Loch Ness
Feels like a joke among a group of friends that doesn't include the audience.
As much a farcical take on the Blair Witch school as a resonant yet irreverent argument against the homogenizing entertainment industry by which Penn makes his fabulous living.
too much of a one-note concept to make the entertainment value lift much above lake level
by the time Herzog dons a wetsuit to jump into the loch, the laughs may still be with the star, but they're also aimed at the director
A truly original work, and a very cheeky one at that filled with end-to-end laughter. It plays off Herzog's own legend as a behind-the-camera wild card.
...while it's clever and at times genuinely amusing, this is still a one-joke film that wears out its welcome too quickly.
Watching the movie is an entertaining exercise in forensic viewing, and the insidious thing is, even if it is a con, who is the conner and who is the connee?
Razor sharp and funny as hell, Incident at Loch Ness is the harpoon hurled into the hot-air balloon of 'reality' entertainment.
A clever commentary on documentary filmmaking, a pretty good monster movie to boot.
...Herzog and Penn don't challenge [the Loch Ness] myth. They are out to create their own. And they almost pull it off.
Possibly the bravest, most daring and original cinematic experience of the year.
Like Michael Moore Hates America, the real purpose of Incident at Loch Ness is to point out how documentarians manipulate the truth and, like MMHA, Incident at Loch Ness is very entertaining.
If you're a fan of Herzog, you may want to check it out or if you appreciate filmmakers trying different things, this film is certainly unique, but at the end of the day, it really did nothing to engage or entertain me overall.
We fall prey to a series of sleights-of-hand that keep us wondering what the joke is -- and more importantly, who's in on it.
Blatantly comic characters undercut the credibility established by Mr. Herzog's naturalistic performance, and sink the horror premise as quickly as it surfaces.
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