Overview
A journey into madness and survival in the heart of Africa.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- oppressive
- feverish
- harrowing
- serious film night
- historical cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a visually striking, fiercely committed historical adventure whose intensity is tempered by a challenging and uneven narrative.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cobra Verde's employment in the slave trade and subsequent dealings with African rulers foreground systems of colonial domination and opportunism.
After torture, humiliation, displacement, and isolation, Cobra Verde is described as being on the edge of madness.
The film depicts slave trading, torture, rebellion, and despotism through an austere, confrontational historical adventure style.
Cobra Verde becomes the only white man in the area and is subjected to humiliation before attempting to wield influence through military training.
Films like Cobra Verde, and why
Aguirre, the Wrath of God
shared colonial violence, historical exploitation, psychological extremity, and intense auteur filmmaking
Fitzcarraldo
shared anti-colonial themes, oppressive historical settings, brutal power struggles, and psychologically destabilized protagonists
The Last King of Scotland
shared African colonial context, moral corruption, violence, and bleak political drama
Amistad
shared slavery-era history, social exploitation, power imbalance, and severe dramatic tone
Movie Details
- Director
- Werner Herzog
- Release Date
- 1987-12-03
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (169)
Cast
- Klaus Kinski
- King Ampaw
- José Lewgoy
- Salvatore Basile
- Peter Berling
- Guillermo Coronel
- Nana Agyefi Kwame II
- Nana Fedu Abodo
- Kofi Yerenkyi
- Kwesi Fase
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Cobra Verde about?
- A volatile bandit becomes an unwilling agent of the slave trade, only to confront isolation, political violence, and his own unraveling in Africa.
- What is Cobra Verde like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cobra Verde as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cobra Verde violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Cobra Verde as graphic.
- What did critics think of Cobra Verde?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a visually striking, fiercely committed historical adventure whose intensity is tempered by a challenging and uneven narrative.
- Which films are like Cobra Verde?
- Films with a similar feel include Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, The Last King of Scotland, and Amistad.
- How long is Cobra Verde?
- Cobra Verde runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cobra Verde?
- In United States, Cobra Verde streams on Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel, Shout! Factory Amazon Channel, Cineverse Amazon Channel.
