2. Werner Herzog vs Klaus Kinski
When you cross two best friends, one a meticulous, talented, philosophical director, the other a manic, wild eyed, aggressive actor, you are bound to get some explosive results. Fitzcarraldo wasn't the first or even best film from the collaboration of Germans Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski, but it will definitely go down in history as their most volatile. The story follows Brian Sweeny Fitzgerald, a man who decides it will be a great idea to open an Opera house in the middle of the Jungle. A recipe for madness, but a part Kinski was born to play. He makes his fortune and proceeds to haul an enormous river boat across a mountain with the help of some natives. The film itself is a crazy watch, and it's easy to see where the madness seeps in. In behind the scenes footage, a sweaty, screaming eyed Kinski can be seen shouting and spitting hordes of cacophonous abuse like a man possessed, in what can only be described as a problem he has with the on set catering. The most outrageous of outbursts were not filmed, despite the footage that is widely available on YouTube. On one such occasion, during the filming of another collaboration piece Aguirre: Wrath of God, Herzog is said to have pulled a gun out on Kinski after he threatened to leave the film. He supposedly told Kinski that he would put eight bullets in his head and save the last one for himself. Herzog denies that this ever happened, but like all of these tales, there are two sides to every story.
Who Won? Herzog still makes some incredible cinema, and whilst the death of Kinski in 1991 - from a heart attack no less - means he is unable to prove his worth, there is a beautiful documentary out there all about the relationship of the two called My Best Fiend, which will only take 90 minutes of your time. It is a beautiful exploration of the duo and the violent ups and downs of their working relationship. This is the most interesting and touching confrontation on this list.