Werner Herzog

Film & Theater German 1942 379 quotes

Visionary filmmaker and profound quotable figure

Most quoted

"There are deeper strata of truth in cinema, and there is such a thing as poetic, ecstatic truth. It is mysterious and elusive, and can be reached only through fabrication and imagination and stylization."

— from Minnesota Declaration, 1999

"I don't think there's any such thing as 'nature' in the abstract. There's only the nature of this particular jungle, this particular desert, this particular mountain range. And they are all hostile."

— from Various interviews

"I don't think there's any such thing as a natural born filmmaker. I think you have to be a little bit crazy to want to be a filmmaker."

— from Interview

All quotes by Werner Herzog (379)

I believe the common denominator of the universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility and murder.

Herzog on Herzog

I don't think there is a deeper truth than what you can find in a good movie.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is full of things that are not true. But they are not lies. They are just not true.

Herzog on Herzog

I have often been accused of being a madman. But I am not a madman. I am a filmmaker.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is not a place for cowards.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not interested in facts. I am interested in truth.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is not a place for the faint of heart.

Herzog on Herzog

I have always been drawn to the extreme.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a harsh place. But it is also a beautiful place.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not afraid of anything. Except for bad films.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a mystery. And I am trying to unravel it.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not interested in making films that are easy to watch.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a stage. And I am a player.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not interested in making films that are politically correct.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a dream. And I am dreaming it.

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I am not interested in making films that are commercially successful.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a poem. And I am writing it.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not interested in making films that are popular.

Herzog on Herzog

The world is a song. And I am singing it.

Herzog on Herzog

I am not interested in making films that are easy to understand.

Herzog on Herzog