In the dense Peruvian jungle, an idealist and dreamer named Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, known as Fitzcarraldo, becomes obsessed with building an opera in the middle of nowhere. This eccentric businessman has a deep love for classical music and dreams of bringing Wagner's opera to the Amazon rainforest. To achieve this, he plans to finance his ambitious project by cultivating rubber, but he faces tough competition. Determined to fulfill his dream, he decides to haul a massive ship over an imposing hill in the jungle—an endeavor that few would dare attempt.
As Fitzgerald assembles a crew of eccentric characters and ventures into the untamed wilderness, the task becomes a test of endurance and madness. The jungle challenges him in unimaginable ways; he battles tumultuous rivers, confronts conflicts with indigenous tribes, and grapples with the demons of his own ambition. The journey transforms into a metaphor for the struggle between man and nature, where Fitzcarraldo’s determination clashes with the harsh reality of his environment.
Overcoming absurd obstacles and defying logic, his voyage not only tests his tenacity but also reveals the deep contradictions of civilization and barbarism. In a world where dreams collide with realism, Fitzcarraldo embarks on an adventure that redefines the meaning of passion and sacrifice.