Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Poster for Lessons of Darkness

Lessons of Darkness

Seen it?

1992 | 54 min | War, Documentary, TV Movie

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for the curious and history buffs. If you loved For Sama or 20 Days in Mariupol, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense, eye-opening.
The pace
Moves along nicely, at 54 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Shortly after the Gulf War, oil fires were raging all through Kuwait. In the week before this sea of fire would be extinguished, Werner Herzog filmed this apocalyptic landscape with its murky skies, scorched earth and capricious flames.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.8 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 120K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

More like this

Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks

Cast & crew

Directed by Werner Herzog

  • Werner HerzogSelf - Narrator (voice)