Released in UK cinemas today, Werner Herzog’s latest documentary is an exploration into a grisly true crime story. Featuring conversations, Mr. Herzog stressed that these were not interviews, with a young man on death row, his accomplice and many of the people whose lives were touched by this particular crime, Into the Abyss speaks to the causes and consequences of murder and also to capital punishment in the United States.

I, and two other journalists, were lucky enough to speak to Mr. Herzog for roughly half an hour and he was as fascinating to speak to as his films are to watch. A transcript of this conversation can be found below.

How did you come across the subject and choose to make this film, at this time?

Well, it was a simple thing. Once I knew I was going to film with inmates on death row I looked at...