This German film was originally released in 1971 as AUCHVZWERGE HABEN KLEIN ANGEFANGEN, which translates to EVEN DWARVES STARTED SMALL. The film has the distinction of being the second full-length feature to have a cast of middle-aged midgets as the central characters (the first was 1938’s THE TERROR OF TINY TOWN). Adding to this strangeness is that director Werner (NOSFERATU THE VAMPIRE) Herzog decided to use experimentation with this film and the result is that the film purposely has a hallucinatory effect similar to that of David Lynch’s ERASERHEAD. There is no true story to the film, just a series of events with some social undercurrents that allows the viewer draw their own conclusions.

Anchor Bay has struck a deal with German director Werner Herzog to bring his films to DVD and the first release was the remake of NOSFERATU starring Klaus Kinski (Herzog’s real life friend and associate). So EVEN DWARVES STARTED SMALL is the third (after FITZCARRALDO) DVD from an ensuing line of Herzog’s films. Part of the deal with Anchor Bay states that Herzog must record audio commentaries for all the Anchor Bay DVD releases and there is one included here as well.

The plot is easily summed up. The inmates have taken over an institution in a bleak and savage world where everyone is a dwarf. As one of the institution's directors holds a rebel hostage while issuing orders for calmness, the other inmates run amok, smashing equipment, setting fires, fighting for power and tormenting the blind prisoners. During the chaos, we witness some really bizarre allegorical imagery such as monkeys getting crucified, pigs getting slaughtered, and chickens cannibalizing other chickens. The rebellious midgets also dismantle, destroy, and set fire to their surroundings.

The hallucinatory bits are disturbing and some become grating quickly. One 5 minute scene has a midget staring at a camel and laughing for several minutes until the camel defecates onto the ground. Another scene has the midget horde throwing live chickens through the windows of the director’s office, which breaks their wings and legs. The institution director then chases the bloodied chickens in an effort to round them up and ends up damaging the limping fowl even more. Another scene has a driverless automobile doing donuts in the sand, and the camera keeps going back to this event throughout the film. Adding to the psychedelic weirdness is the constant chuckling of the dwarves from the start of the picture to the finish.

There are some allegorical trappings in the film. The film depicts mankind’s subconscious desires to break free from the confining things and circumstances of our everyday lives. The dwarves joyously trash foodstuffs, houses, typewriters (!), automobiles, etc. and set fire to their surroundings in this world where anarchy reigns. Had they computers back then, they would have trashed that too. The dwarves rage against a society that oppresses them, and they strike back by mistreating animals (getting back at nature) and destroying symbols of western civilization.

SIGHT

Anchor Bay presents the film in its original full frame ratio of 1.33.1. Anchor Bay is promoting this DVD as the first full frame enhanced for 16x9 TV’s transfer. Though my knowledge of anamorphic full frame is limited, I can tell you the result is pleasing. EVEN DWARVES STARTED SMALL is a black & white film and Herzog’s cinematography plays to this DVD exceptionally well with lots of varying shades of blacks, grays, and whites contributing to the film’s moody tone. Despite the absence of color, the detail level is great for a film of this vintage (1971). You see every hallucinogenic effect clearly, every scene of the dwarf revolt, and the desolate wastelands around them. Herzog employs a lot of motion to the camera (such as mounting the camera on bicycles and automobiles) for point of view shots, and this comes off superbly on the transfer. The only negative things I can say is that I noticed some traces of blue in the transfer, and that some scratches and grain can be seen occasionally, but hey, this is a 30 year old film. The subtitles are easily read at the bottom of the image, and can be turned off.

SOUND

The audio is a good, Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 sound track. The mono mix has a good range of depth, and does not sound flat or tinny. There is no hiss, dropouts, or distortions of any kind on the sound track. The film is completely in German with the dialog coming from the center channel. The sound mix is very subtle but does do two important things: Most of the movie the rebelling dwarves are simultaneously laughing which proves to be creepy after a long time (or annoying depending on how you look at it). Also, there are some strange, foreign sounding folkish tunes accompanied by the female wailing of a German vocalist. Together, this "music" and the continual laughing contribute to the nightmarish tone of the film.

FEATURES

There is not an abundance of extras on this DVD, but the main selling point is the feature length commentary with Werner Herzog. Actors Crispin Glover and Norman Hill takes turns questioning Herzog about the film and his other accomplishments. Herzog sheds some light on the confusion and controversy surrounding this film, but I don't want to give away any spoilers. There is also a Herzog filmography. No trailer.

CONCLUSION

The average movie-goer will be bored and turned off by this film. But fans of films that are completely devoid of meaning, and with a disregard for a coherent plot (such as ERASERHEAD or TETSUO) may enjoy the bizarreness that Herzog serves up here. Though I cannot strongly recommend this film (because I find it pretentious, confusing, and just plain weird), you’ve got to hand it to Herzog for presenting such a brave personal vision that you just don’t see these days in the Hollywood dominated world. The film is not for everyone, but it is one of those films that love it or hate it, you will remember it for a long time. I also found this film creeps up on you from your subconscious even days later. Whatever you do, do not view this film on any type of mind-altering substances. Anchor Bay produces a first rate transfer of the film for DVD release, and the audio commentary is sure to clear up some of the confusion and controversy surrounding the film.

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