This may be the best German movie about Spaniards ever. It's not exactly a feel-good movie, but it's strangely absorbing to watch, one of those movies that it's impossible to start and not finish. I would even go so far as to say that it's very entertaining for a a film about a party of doomed Spanish conquistadors in the Amazon river basin.
The film begins as Aguirre, one of the conquistadors, violently seizes control and begins to lead the group away from anything resembling civilization. Pretty much from the start, the viewer recognizes that this isn't going to end well (even Disney would have trouble putting a happy ending on this one), but it's still fascinating to see the different stages of the journey. Also, the scenery is remarkably authentic and uncheesy.
Aguirre, as acted--brilliantly--by Klaus Kinski, starts the film as slightly weird and finishes it as batshit crazy. He's the main reason to watch the movie, actually. It's not often you get an opportunity to see one of film's creepiest actors in one of his freakiest roles. It's practically impossible to look away from him.
Also, as a sidenote, be sure to catch the moment when Aguirre cuts off a man's head and his face changes expression as it sails through the air and lands on the ground.
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