The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974)

 Werner Herzog's "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser"

Werner Herzog's 1974 film "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser" is just as enigmatic as its central character. Based on the true story of Kasper Hauser, the film follows a strange young man who, after being isolated the first seventeen years of his life, is found in the town square without the ability to speak, walk properly, or adhere to social norms. This format of film and subject matter strike a similarity to Truffaut's "The Wild Child," which also centers on the rehabilitation of a socially isolated young man. What's uncanny is I just watched "The Wild Child" a few days ago, so the ability to reconcile the two is due to Truffaut's film being fresh in my mind.

Although the two are based on true events, I think where Herzog ventures drastically from Truffaut is that he identifies with his protagonist. The character of Kaspar, although lacks the basic fundamental knowledge of how to move through modern society, possess a serine innateness to him that seems to feel more spiritually authentic when it is clashing with modern predilections. To me, the film feels far more akin to Jean Renoir's "Boudu Saved from Drowning" than Truffaut's "The Wild Child." 

Although it takes some take for him to articulate himself, to me, Kaspar is an innocent, true spirit. His perspective has not been blackened by aesthetics, contrived logic, or suffocating normalities. There is a scene in which he clearly is victorious in a logical game presented by a doctor, only for that doctor to reject his 'out-of-the-box' thinking. Kaspar's methods and perceptions are not 'incorrect' by any means, they simply point out to fallacies in rigid social structures and knowledge.

At the beginning of the film, one would probably identify more with the supporting characters, all attempting to get Kaspar to adjust to his surroundings. However, as the film progresses, it is Kaspar that one begins to identify with. His surroundings begin to feel alien and suffocating. The logic, rules, and expectations all feel very restricting to natural life. 

I feel as though, because of this notion, Kaspar feels more in line with the human spirit in its fully naked form. To me, this is what makes Herzog a good filmmaker - he is able to strip humanity naked to reveal its innermost purity. Whether that purity is savage and debased as in "Aguirre, the Wrath of God," or its gentle spirit of naturalism as in "The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser," Werner Hergoz is adamant to scrape away our traditions, social norms, and the costumes we all wear to reveal the truth of who we are.