Rent The Holy Mountain (1973)

Beautiful and Bonkers - The Holy Mountain review by KC

Alejandro Jodorowsky makes films like nobody else makes films, this movie is visually sumptious and totally surreal, the story really doesn't matter just let yourself get caught up in the aesthetic rush and savour the psychedelic vibe of skinned dogs, toad armies and endless animals hanging out in odd places checking out the hippies.

Unexpectedly more to it than meets the eye - The Holy Mountain review by CJ

To watch this unique film just for the visual spectacle is certainly a satisfying experience by itself. However to gain an understanding into what this film is trying to portray you really need to watch it a second time with the director commentary switched on. It reveals that the film is very closely linked to the directors take on tarot cards and how that in turn is linked to the physical and spiritual life of human beings. So not only will your eyes be opened when watching, but you mind also. The commentary also gives a nice insight into the personality of the director himself, who seems like a very interesting person. Then when you've watched with the commentary, if you have the blu-ray special feature about the tarot watch that too.

Much of the film is actually symbolic and so what you see is almost like a series of revelations or visions rather than a conventional movie.

The visual style is impressive but again given the directors insight, the finished film does appear chaotic at times but that seems to be due to the difficulty the director had while making such a controversial movie.

It was worth watching if only for learning more about this talented and interesting director and gaining some insight into tarot cards.

It is such a shame the director didn't have the chance to make his version of the sci-fi film Dune! I think it would have been amazing.