Blu-ray Review: Werner Herzog Enters ‘Cave of Forgotten Dreams’

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CHICAGO – Werner Herzog’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” is, in many ways, the ultimate documentary from one of our best living filmmakers in that it perfectly captures something notable about the man himself. The film, recently released on Blu-ray and DVD, is a document of the oldest existing cave paintings, stunning artwork that dates back thousands of years. In many ways, what the prehistoric men did in those caves is not unlike what Herzog himself has been doing — recording the natural world for future generations. It makes one wonder if people will watch this work in 10,000 years.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

Perhaps the most notable element of “Dreams” is that it shows the viewer something that can’t be seen in any other way. People aren’t allowed in this cave and neither are most filmmakers. There’s no other way to see the paintings of Chauvet Cave and so the film is important as a historical document. When you add the depth of narrative that Herzog adds to the piece in the way he fully explores what the people of the time might have thought, felt, smelled like, and even dreamed, the movie becomes more than pure history — it becomes almost transportational, taking us back thousands of years to a time that’s so very different from our own but when people still had a desire to express and record what they saw.

In theaters, “Forgotten Dreams” played in 3D, adding another to the experience. The home release includes a 3D Blu-ray and standard Blu-ray version of the film on the same disc. I wish I had the technical capabilities to see it in 3D and the day that I can it will be one of the first discs for which I reach. Still, in standard 2D HD, it’s a stunning visual accomplishment, as most Herzog films are. What more is there to say about a man who can produce not one but two of the best documentaries of 2011 in this one and “Into the Abyss,” which may still be playing in a theater near you. See them both. As soon as possible.

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Photo credit: Sundance Selects

Synopsis:
Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, a breathtaking new documentary from the incomparable Werner Herzog (Encounters at the End of the World, Grizzly Man), follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man

One of the most successful documentaries of all time, Cave Of Forgotten Dreams is an unforgettable cinematic experience that provides a unique glimpse of pristine artwork dating back to human hands over 30,000 years ago — almost twice as old as any previous discovery.

Special Features:
o Ode to the Dawn of Man
o Trailer

“Cave of Forgotten Dreams” was directed by Werner Herzog. It was released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 29th, 2011.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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