Werner Herzog gains exclusive access to film inside the Chauvet caves of Southern France, capturing the oldest known pictorial creations of humankind in their astonishing natural setting.
Interesting questions are raised about why humans feel the impulse to pass on their knowledge through art to future generations.
After the millionth lingering shot of a cave wall, you may be less enthused, but this is still a worthwhile trip.
Although at 1 hour, 35 minutes his documentary can feel like a museum tour that goes on too long, it’s a magical experience.
A typically quixotic documentary in which great unknown artists from 35,000 years ago collaborate with one in 2011. Profound, mysterious and utterly absorbing.
There’s a mesmerising 40-minute film trying to get out.
Underground art with Werner Herzog.
The spectacle is, in a very real sense, awesome.
The film is rich in stern awe and disciplined wonder.
A tremendous documentary.
This is a serviceably engrossing study of a fascinating subject, rather than a full-blown visionary essay.
What stops this from being as enjoyably eccentric as other recent Herzog documentaries, though, is the barmy Bavarian's failure to get the team of experts accompanying him to open up about their own lives.
It is a fascinating film.
An eye-opening and often quite mystical experience.
Herzog's Cave of Forgotten Dreams: the real art underground
Another Dimension
General release. Check local listings for show times.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday April 29, 2011, until Thursday May 5, 2011. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com