Looking Back On 'Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe' (VIDEO)

Back in 1978, Herzog challenged a then-unknown Errol Morris to make his feature documentary, "Gates of Heaven," promising Morris that he would eat his shoe if the younger man ever completed the film and screened it in a public theater.

Lo and behold, Morris completed his acclaimed documentary and Herzog attended a screening at the UC Theater in Berkeley, CA and ate his shoe live on stage. The event is featured in the 1980, Les Blank short documentary, "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe" in which the auteur waxes philosophical and hangs out with Chez Panisse chef Alice Waters, who prepares the shoe.

Despite the fact that this story is over 30 years old, the topics discussed are more relevant than ever. Even though many Werner Herzog fans haven't seen this film, we're confident that the world would be a better place if audiences had taken his words to heart.

Herzog manages to discuss environmental issues, the role of images in filmmaking, and the importance of adhering to one's dreams. View a clip of "Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe" below and in its entirety here.