THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Once, for insurance reasons, he had to have a check-up before we shot Aguirre.  The doctor asked routine questions about allergies, hereditary diseases, and then: ‘Mr Kinski, have you ever suffered from fits any kind?’ ‘YES, EVERY DAY!’ screamed Kinski at the highest pitch possible before he proceeded to lay waste to the doctor’s office.

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The final scene of Cobra Verde was the last day of shooting we ever did together.  He had put so much intensity into this final scene that he just fell apart afterwards.  Even at the time we both sensed it, and he even said to me, ‘We can go no further.  I am no more.’  He died in 1999 at his home north of San Francisco.  He had just burnt himself out like a comet.

Cronin/Herzog