News too odd to make up: Werner Herzog saves Johnny Cash

Remember the car accident that Joaquin Phoenix survived with hardly a scratch on him? Well, the story just got a whole lot weirder. In Phoenix's own words: as he lay in the car, he heard "...this German voice saying, 'Just relax.' There's the air bag, I can't see and I'm saying, 'I'm fine. I am relaxed.' Finally, I rolled down the window and this head pops inside. And he said, 'No, you're not.' And suddenly I said to myself, 'That's Werner Herzog!'" Yeah, that's right: German genius Werner Herzog rescued Joaquin Phoenix. And it wasn't just a concussion-related fantasy, either, because a spokesperson for Herzog confirmed that his client was there and helped Phoenix after the accident.

What makes the story even better, though, is Phoenix's description of the effect Herzog's presence had on him: "There's something so calming and beautiful about Werner Herzog's voice. I felt completely fine and safe." Anyone who has heard Herzog's voice (if you haven't, rent Lessons of Darkness a gorgeous film that he both directed and narrates) will immediately understand where Phoenix is coming from, because no matter what he's saying, listening to Herzog talk is incredibly soothing. Personally, if I ever have the misfortune of flipping my car, I hope Guardian Angel Herzog is looking out for me, too.

[via Beau and Defamer]