Customer Reviews

Kinski Uncut: The Autobiography of Klaus Kinski

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Want to become a movie star?

Go to coffee houses around college campuses, stand on a chair and recite the poetry of Francois Villon; the medieval (1431-1463) student who killed a priest in a tavern brawl, was subsequently acquitted but still had to flee Paris and live a life of crime among outcasts.

As you pass the hat you find that you're doing such a magnificent job that soon you'll be able fill entire sports arenas with Shakespeare's solliloquiess---Performing them that is; you'll do Richard the Third, and then the audience will wait breathlessly while you change costumes and come back in character as Hamlet. Repeat with Othello, etc.

See how easy it is? Now do it.
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To say Kinski was talented, or that he lived on the edge, or that he was a bit too intense for his friends or wives is, of course, an understatement. Nor did fame and money do much to quench the anger or appetite of this outcast.

One of his wives, as she entered the hospital to deliver their child, wondered why all the prostitutes on the street waved at them and seemed so friendly. Herzog, despite plotting Kinsi's murder, kept using him as his leading man.

Yet the greatest tribute may be not Herzog's but the fact that, during his lifetime many fellow actors spoke about how kind Kinski was to work with--a true accolade to a narcissistic egomaniac who apparently never lost his humanity by the expedient method of never being able to stop being hurt by life.

As he put it, he never allowed his wounds to fully close. Though the reader might conclude that he was unable to have his wounds close, no matter how much he tried.

Speaking of method, Kinski slams 'method acting' in this book:
'These morons go into a sort of St. Vitus dance as an exercise before performing' and 'What is this idiocy? As if a school could teach me how to feel'

Less credible is his slamming of Herzog: 'A megalomaniac' and 'I kicked him... Herzog groveled' Especially when one considers that his most memorable performances were in Herzog's films.

Kinski opens his autobiography with a quote from one of his idols, Van Gogh. Too lengthy to repeat here but the essence of it being that all artists are cripples trying clumsily to express what was expressed only once-- by Jesus Christ.

Unsurprisingly, Kinski also toured Europe late in his life, reading from the gospels and insulting some audience members who did not share his view of Jesus as a criminal hunted down by society, while hugging others who shared his 'outcast' faith.

Kinski also wondered if he was the reincarnation of Paganini, arguably the most proficient techniqual violinist of all time, and, of course, an intense womanizer.

Kinski did not spend much time doubting his sanity, it seems he considered it a rather futile endeavor in a world where it was self evident that everybody was mad.

However, neither did he glamorize lunacy as a standard, there is nothing romantically sophomoric in his descriptions of being held in an insane assylum for a couple of weeks. It's more vivid and horrific than his description of being held in a POW camp for years.

He made certain he would not be be incarcerated for alleged (?) madness again, just as-- despite his extravagant lifestyle--he also made certain he would not suffer starvation again, as he did in his childhood.

For all actors or artists one plain piece of advice: Get this book. Despite exaggerations (or downrigth lies) this is a superb testimony by one of the greatest of all time.

Open the book to any page, and chances are Kinski is describing a sexual encounter. Open it to another page and he is probably talking about how stupid Werner Herzog or any other famous director is. Kinski is sick, but sick in a good way. If you like stuff way out on the edge, then pick this up. Despite all the bluster and megalomania, there is something charismatic about the way Kinski writes, and he can even be quite tender, especially when describing his relationship with his son. But then again, he describes another type of relationship that he has with his older sister. But it's just that type of juxtapostiton that makes this book priceless. At the very least, it will make you laugh out loud.

Klaus Kinski, one of the greatest of all screen actors, takes us through a wild, dirty, sometimes insane yet philosophical trip in his autobiography, "Kinksi Uncut" (originally published as "I Need Love"). Kinski makes us explore his hard childhood up to his rising as a famous actor through stage and onto film. His writing shows no mercy and he obviously was not someone afraid to say what he thought to someone's face. It is unpleasant at times, and I think, that's what he wanted, for some of the writing to make you disturbed. The book also has a touch of dark comedy, especially when he attacks the legendary German film director Werner Herzog, calling him murderous and stupid (don't be taken in though. Herzog himself has stated that he helped Kinski find words in the dictionary to attack the director, so the book would sell and not be boring). There is vivid detail here, great stories and even eroticism (some good, some just plain unpleasant). This is a valuable biography because Kinski takes us into the actor's mind, into his art as he describes, for example, how for the Herzog film "Aguirre, The Wrath Of God," he didn't use prosthetics for his menacing, hurt appearance. He looked crippled because he WANTED to be crippled. Here is a crazy artist, a man who lived life in all it's insanity. Though you may not agree with things he says, you must admit, it is a good book. Not for the squemish or conservatives. It stands along with Luis Buñuel's "My Last Sigh" as one of the most memorable autobiographies ever written by a film artist.

Kinski Uncut may be the only actor's bio worth reading. Kinski, one of the world's greatest actors, wastes no time psychoanalyzing his sex drive, his fanatical obsession with his son, or his need for a fast buck and material goods. He plunges the reader neck-deep into his depraved lifestyle, and doesn't let up -- literally -- until his own death. The book is one long sex act, but Kinski's writing is so good, his soul so graphically exposed, that the pornography never grows tedious. Kinski was in every sense of the word a whore, so it's no wonder that he loved consorting with whores. Each encounter truly grows out of Kinski's need for human love and contact; his Casanovian behavior was, in a way, Kinski's only real emotional outlet, since acting was no more than a means of funding his sexual activities. And the span of his life is breath-taking; Angela's Ashes takes a back seat to the first 40 or so pages of this book! As for his films, Kinski did them all for money, and there's never any indication of how he really felt about them. (Ironically, in his quest for fast money, he turned down a role in Raiders of the Lost Ark because the script was "shitty"!) By far the most achingly bizarre and personal book I've ever read; it was exactly what I'd hoped for.

This memoir is unlike any book I've ever read. Klaus Kinski's autobiography doesn't hold back. If you want to read a memoir where the author is unabashedly open, this is for you. I discovered Klaus Kinski through the Werner Herzog movies "Aguire: The Wrath of God" and "Nosferatu." His acting was very good in those two movies. So curious, I bought this book. You read about his beginnings as a poverty-stricken child in Germany, his short stint in the German army during World War II, and his myriad explicit exploits with many women. He gives you the impression that he didn't care much for acting, and that basically he was just an actor for the money. He also describes aspects of filming different movies, most notably "Aguirre." There are no-holds-barred in his opinions and put downs of director Werner Herzog. Although a little slow in places, after reading this you can see that Kinski was a tortured man that was very insecure and very promiscuous when it came to women. All the money in the world didn't make him happy. That's a lesson to all who ought to read this book. Happiness comes from within. Worth a read, but do it with an open mind.

I'm a big fan of biographies, namely because, as the saying goes , truth is stranger than fiction. The only bios I don't bother with are the ones about writers, who tend to generally lead pretty boring lives. Klaus Kinski was an internationally reknowned actor, from Poland, who did his best work in the 60s and 70s, mostly with German director Werner Herzog. I must say that this is one of the most bizarre bios I've ever read. It's basically Kinski spewing forth his thoughts on art (which he views with impossible idealism), other actors and artists (whom he pretty much spits on) and the rest of book is basically about his sex life. Its an absolutely hilarious book. Kinski goes on and on about hundreds of sexual encounters, claiming that he has a vast love for people that he just can't contain, so it manifests itself sexually. He doesn't spare us many details (one of my favourite recollections is about his encounter with some giant woman with an abundant moustache). Honestly, I don't believe the guy. He has this hint of machismo that makes it seem like he's lying about his virility. It's not a very flattering autobiography either. Kinski was a restless, irresponsible cad who cared only about himself. He left his women high and dry on numerous occasions and even describes his daughter, Nastassja, as a good reason to allow retroactive abortions. The guy was thoroughly despicable and full of delusions of his own grandeur, but it's a fascinating read. Definitely a summer beach read as you won't expend much brain power. Read it and laugh at how someone willingly and foolishly goes about destroying his own life. Fun stuff.

Klaus Kinski one of the world's and Germans greatest actor of all time, his sexual drives, pain of life, sorrow his obssession about his wife and kid..... everything is greatly narrated in his Autobiography "Kinski Uncut." First, when I get to know about the book I thought for a moment "somebody's biography how boring it will be." I was wrong and the book proved me wrong. Starting right from his childhood till death the book tells all the stories. His charm of mesmerizing females and sexuality power to attract every woman he met is one the greatest traits he had. The way he spends his earnings and how he is perpetually broke after every income... it all can be read in this book. Not only for knowing someone through his stories but for all those who want to learn and explore life this one is definitely the choice. Its worth reading in all aspects.

I was attracted to this book for three reasons. First of all, I heard that this book is one of director Richard Linklater's favourite autobiographies. Secondly, this book was origianlly pulled by Random House because of some controversial subject mtter, which gives this book a certain notoriety. Thirdly, any man who has worked with Sergio Leone and Werner Herzog is certainly worth reading about.

Upon reading it, I must admit I was not instantly taken in by the memiors of the erratic, and explosive Klaus Kinski. But, after a while, Kinski's view of the world and his way of living grew on me; even inspiring me.

My criticism of this book is that his touching unveiling of his emotions are far too often outnumbered by his detailed documentations of his sexual exploits. Kinski claims that his having sex with countless lovers and prostitutes was a release of his yearning to be loved and the release of his animal instincts. If this is true, than the point is made early on and it's unnecessary for the reader to be hammered over the head by it.

Having laid aside that criticism of the book, there are some extraordinarily touching moments of Kinski living a life to the fullest; trying to absorb nature's natural beauty and trying to erradicate all of society's B.S. If these moments when Kinski lays his heart out to the reader with touching poetic observation that strikes the reader like a thunderbolt. It's hard not to be touched in the third quarter of the book by Kinski's adoring words about his son, Nanhoi, probably the only person in this world that Kinski ever truly loved. Incidentally, this book's original title was "All I Need is Love".

This book has created such an impact that there are even a few web-sites dedicated solely to the life of Klaus Kinski.

If you have any anarchistic impulses or are intrigued by the man we once knew named Klaus Kinski. Get this book, and I promise you will never forget or regret it!

Kinski was a bizarre guy...he really seemed to have a mix of wonderully generous qualities, with a lot of (maybe more) absolutely horrendous qualities. (As the review below says, the original version of this book, ALL I NEED IS LOVE, has Kinski hinting that he slept with his own daughter, Nasstasja, which is about as horrendous as you can get. He did sleep with his sister, as he relates in here, so he wasn't a stranger to incest.) It's definitely a unique biography...a lot of explicit sex. A lot. And, like any pornography, it, after the initial shock, wears thin and gets monotonous. The writing is hyperactive and explosive, and is definitely a result of Kinski's worship of Dostoevsky, the most hyperactive writer of them all. (Kinski named Nasstasja after a character in Dostoevsky's novel THE IDIOT, and was involved with trying to get a stage version of CRIME AND PUNISHMENT in production). He's no Dostoevsky, but Kinski's book does keep your attention a lot of the time.

Insane, but a priceless look into the mind of a rather unstable artist. Kinski's book will haunt you, and not just the salacious bits, either. He has an eye for beauty that is as strong if not stronger than his appetite for the base.