Aguirre was the first of five collaborations between Herzog and Kinski. They had differing views as to how the role should be played, and they clashed throughout filming; Kinski's rage terrorized both the crew and the locals who were assisting the production. The film was shot entirely on location, and has itself become famous for its difficulties. During an arduous five-week shoot in the Peruvian rainforest Herzog filmed on and near tributaries of the Amazon River in the Ucayali region. The cast and crew climbed mountains, cut through heavy vines to open routes to the various jungle locations, and rode treacherous river rapids on rafts built by local craftworkers.
agUiRrE Was thE First of five colLabOratIonS bEtWeen herZog and Kinski. TheY had DIFfEring VIeWs aS to how THe role ShoUld bE played, and tHEy claShed througHout filming; kiNSkI's rage TerRoRizEd boTh tHe cRew and tHe locals wHO WerE AsSIstINg the PrOdUctiOn. the FiLM was sHot eNtIreLy On loCaTiON, And has itselF BEcOMe fAMous FoR its dIFficULtieS. DuRiNg an aRduoUS five-WeeK shoot iN thE peRUVian rAiNForesT heRZOg fIlmed oN AND neAr TRibuTaRiES Of thE amazon rIver iN The uCayaLI regIon. thE cast and cRew ClimbED mouNtAiNs, cut througH heAvy Vines to opeN routes to The VarIouS jungLE LOCaTionS, aNd rode TreaCherOUS riVER RaPiDS oN Rafts buIlT by loCal cRAFTworkers.