An extraordinary feature-length documentary about the messianic German director Werner Herzog struggling against desperate odds in the Amazon basin to make his epic feature, Fitzcarraldo. “Burden of Dreams” was honored with a British Academy Award for Best Documentary of 1982, and many critics consider it Blank’s most awesome film. 

A film by Les Blank with Maureen Gosling
94 minutes
In English, Spanish, & German
1982/2005/2024

NOTE: The newly remastered version
(4K in 2024) is showing in theaters ONLY until 2026. After the theatrical run, it will be available for purchase for home use.

• For 2024-2026 U.S. Educational, Theatrical rights, contact Argot Pictures
• For 2024-2026 International, Licensing, and all other rights please contact Les Blank Films
• For U.S. theatrical of the 2005 Criterion version please contact Janus Films

MORE ABOUT BURDEN OF DREAMS!

• Derek Malcolm (of The Guardian) picks his ‘Century of Films’ and names “Burden of Dreams” one of the best 100 films of the 20th century. Read his review.
• Read a review of “Burden of Dreams” by The Wellington Film Society’s Raymond Durgnat.
• Werner Herzog forges ahead in his unique cinematic quest for truth in, A Wild Walk With Werner by Michael Atkinson.