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.

Enlightened or Mugged - The Holy Mountain review by griggs

Jodorowsky empties every drawer he owns and tips the lot onto the screen: alchemists, gold toads, a small army of naked extras, and enough tarot symbolism to fill several lifetimes. I sat there unsure whether I was being enlightened or mugged.

The visuals carry it — ravishing one minute, revolting the next, occasionally both in the same shot. The plot is mostly a clothesline for the next provocation, taking swings at religion, capitalism, and the spiritual grift.

The only problem is the symbolism piles up so fast it starts narrating itself, and the jabs lose their sting after enough escalations. A streak of mischief saves it from tipping into pure self-importance, though — Jodorowsky's clearly having too much fun to be entirely serious about his own sermon.

Overblown, gorgeous, exhausting in places — but rarely boring.