"Lebenszeichen" or "Signs of Life" is a West German 90-minute movie from the 1968, so this one will have its 50th anniversary soon. It was the first full feature film (after some short films) by writer and director Werner Herzog and he was in his mid-20s at this point. Of course, the awards reception was huge for such a young filmmaker and even if I did not like it that much, I am glad Herzog made it if it helped propel his career in any way. I am a great fan of Werner Herzog. This one here is in black-and-white and deals with a character names Stroszek. You certainly have heard of this one if you care about Herzog as he made another film later and that one was starring Bruno S., an actor who is mostly known for his work with Herzog today while late Swiss actor Peter Brogle, who plays the main role in here, is pretty much forgotten by now. And I am not too angry about it. He was not bad, but he also did not elevate the material particularly. In general, this film was way too bleak and sterile for my liking. I never really cared for the story, the characters or their fates. It's fine I guess as back then Herzog was still looking for his style and approach to filmmaking and it needs practice to get perfect. "Lebenszeichen" is a way Herzog acquired said practice and I am not mad at all that this was made, even if I give it a thumbs-down.
Review of Signs of Life
