Francisco Manoel da Silva (Klaus Kinski) is a debauched Brazilian rancher who reluctantly goes to work at a gold mining company after his ranch is ruined by drought. When he discovers that he is being financially exploited, he murders his boss and goes on the lam to pursue a career as an outlaw. He becomes the notorious Cobra Verde (Green Snake), the most vicious bandit of the "sertao".
- The 5th (and the last) of the five collaborations between Herzog and Kinski - which by all means are on the same level as Kurosawa - Mifune, Marty - De Niro, Hitchcock - Stewart, Fincher- Pitt to mention a few - is one of the finest and at the same time most underrated movie I've seen from the 80's.
- "Master" HERZOG does his thing as we're used to his "freestyle story development" and style, while Klaus Kinski as Cobra Verde (Manoel da Silva) delivers a superb performance. To put it in a more conventional way, in this movie you'll meet the peak of KINSKI's acting.
- Cobra Verde is a controversial movie about slavery, perjury, madness, immorale etc. This one belongs more on the group of Herzog's "FITZCARALDO", "AGUIRRE: THE WRATH OF GODS", "STORSZEK" than let's say "NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE" OR "VOYZECK" just to mention some. It's composed by a rich group of element starting from cinematography (The original cinematographer THOMAS MAUCH, had to walk out of the project due to KINSKI clashes) great acting by Kinski, great direction, the screenplay is on a level, but frankly it doesn't matter on a Herzog movie. It is really a misfortune that this movie went on unnoticed by the awards and it didn't end up where it belonged.
- It wasn't liked by the critics when it was released, probably due to its controversial subject (REMEMBER A 1969 MOVIE CALLED "BURN! A.k.a. QUEIMADA starring the GREAT Marlon Brando).
- I HOPE that MORE PEOPLE WILL WATCH THIS movie, AND NOT ONLY HERZOG OR KINSKI FANS.