Search - The Holy Mountain on DVD

"Now Playing at the Pantheon Bar"

nonlinearize | the third coast, usa | 04/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In a culture desensitized by violent brutality and computer-generated wizardry, it may be enough to say that I watched The Holy Mountain, which contains neither, with my mouth hanging open the entire time. I still can't quite believe that such a film was ever made, though I've long sensed that such a film should be. While not overtly violent, The Holy Mountain is punctuated by graphic, shocking and heretical images, but these only form one aspect of its jaw-dropping resonance. Jodorowsky's film is original, audacious, visually and thematically inspired. It's also kind of funny.

In essence the film is a series of literalized metaphors about the archetypal spiritual journey to experience reality beyond illusion, a quest motivated by a desire to transcend the absurd horrors of civilization: war, greed, corruption, self-obsession and the politics of power. As such the characters and events themselves are largely symbolic. Unlike a lot of avant-garde films, Holy Mountain's narrative is structured and surprisingly linear, though it flowers like a rambling, slightly disjointed dream.

Jodorowsky's spiritual path is an unflinching synthesis of the basic conceptual and aesthetic elements of many mystical traditions, including Zen's formal simplicity, Kabbalic and Hindu ritual, Alchemical processes, Shamanic trials, master/student dynamics and the mythology of the Holy Mountain itself, all of which are gracefully blended into the artful and psychedelic texture of the film.

Despite the clichéd "ancient wisdom" aspect of some moments, The Holy Mountain achieves what is a fairly fresh and ultimately tongue-in-cheek attempt to enlighten the audience. Sometimes the pacing and editing of the film feel a little dated, but this usually adds to the film's unique style rather than diminish it. The Holy Mountain is an ambitious film, provocative in its boldness and charming in its outlandishness, and traveling with these seekers will undoubtedly color our own journeys, both inner and outer...
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Holy of Holies

Bennett Theissen | Los Angeles | 03/25/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have now purchased a copy of The Films of Alejandro Jodorowski and I give this film even a higher recommendation than I did before. The DVD is superb, and it's a nice plus to run Jodorowski's commentary track as subtitles on the film itself, since the commentary is in Spanish anyway.

El Topo was about a man seeking enlightenment and was made before Jodorowsky had ever smoked marijuana or taken LSD. The Holy Mountain is the attempt to enlighten the entire society. To prepare, he found a Guru, who gave him LSD. Then after he had gathered his cast, he took them on a three month retreat to prepare, and the film itself seems to have taken six months to shoot. When I met Jodorowsky in 2003, he called El Topo his favorite son; The Holy Mountain his troubled son; and Santa Sangre his perfect son. All three are essential works. Jodorowsky truly is Alexandro the Great.

Holy Mountain is not about being high, it is about seeing through all illusions, of which getting high very much is one of those illusions. It is a huge satire of the modern world in which the Alchemist (played by Alexandro himself) finds the most horrible people in the solar system, and then takes them on a quest that pacifies them by promising immortality - just like the regular religions!

For a film that does not go "inside" any of the characters -- we see them in beautifully framed compositions -- it is very easy to follow and never lets the viewer down. In the end, he even reveals the secret of immortality. "And here we are -- mortals, more human than ever."

I think I should note that Richard Rutowski, who worked with Oliver Stone on several of his most interesting works (like The Doors, Nixon, and U Turn), plays the character Axon.

I believe The Holy Moutain may be the most perfect Utopian vision ever put on film.

And if someone tried to make a film like this today, they'd probably be arrested."

ASPECT RATIO TYPO!!!!!!

Robin Klein | 04/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PLEASE NOTE AMAZON HAS A TYPO!!!!

THE CORRECT ASPECT RATIO FOR THE HOLY MOUNTAIN IS ANAMORPHIC 2:35:1 ENHANCED FOR 16X9. IT IS ALSO A 2K SCAN DIGITAL RESTORATION - APPROVED BY ALEJANDRO. AND IF I MAY SAY MYSELF - LOOKS FANTASTIC.
THANK YOU
ROBIN KLEIN
PRODUCER
THE FILMS OF JODOROWSKY BOX SET"

Will Blow Your Mind

Thomas H. Fields | Washington, DC | 09/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seeing The Holy Mountain is a truly unique experience. It stands alone in the history of the cinema as an original, one-of-a-kind film. There has never been nor will ever be anything else like it. Even if you don't like it, you will never forget it. Jodorowski's cinematic vision places him in the same class as Luis Bunuel, Frederico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, and Igmar Bergman.

So what's this movie about? It's one man's spiritual quest, which leads to a place that no one could foresee. This movie will keep your eyes glued to the screen. It's worth going out of your way to see it."