Burden of Dreams is a documentary film directed by Les Blank about the making of Werner Herzog's 1982 film, Fitzcarraldo. The documentary chronicles the troubled and arduous production of Fitzcarraldo, which tells the story of a man who dreams of building an opera house in the Amazon jungle and decides to fund it by hauling a steamship over a steep hill to access a rich rubber territory.
The documentary captures the obstacles that Herzog and his crew encounter during the filming, including casting issues, language barriers, dangerous working conditions, and severe health problems. The lead actor originally cast, Jason Robards, dropped out due to illness, and was replaced by Klaus Kinski, a notorious and difficult actor with whom Herzog had a tumultuous relationship.
One of the most memorable scenes in the documentary shows the crew hauling a 340-ton steamship up a muddy slope using a system of pulleys and ropes, a feat accomplished without the use of special effects. Blank's documentary captures the grueling labour that went into this iconic scene, as the crew treks through the jungle and tries to maneuver the ship up the hill.
Throughout the documentary, Herzog's uncompromising vision and determination are showcased, as he insists on filming on location in inhospitable terrain and refuses to use special effects. At one point, Herzog even declares that he will finish the film at any cost, even if it means he himself dies in the process.
Burden of Dreams is a fascinating look at the creative process behind one of the most ambitious and challenging films ever made. It shows the immense strain and sacrifice that went into creating Herzog's vision, and offers a glimpse into the mind of a director obsessed with his art.