HOLY MOUNTAIN
I’ve actually never made it through EL TOPO or SANTA SANGRE. But I think the first hour of THE HOLY MOUNTAIN is as good as it gets (thanks John and Yoko!).
El Topo is mad, but a little more accessible; the plot is totally strange, but fairly understandable, being episodic and fitting into a genre (“Acid Western”, they call it). The Holy Mountain is complete conceptual-folk-mytho-surreal abandon, an arrangement of wild and provocative scenes and sequences whose plot is barely skeletal. It will melt your face off.
I saw The Holy Mountain first, but kind of wish I’d seen El Topo. I prefer to pass through the remotely familiar before entering the completely bizarre. Make of this what you will.
Santa sangre is the accessible
it has also aged the best
I prefer Holy Mountain, but only by a bit. Both fantastic works – go to the Double Bill. It will be worth it.
Fando y Lis and Santa Sangre are also both amazing.
I would say start with El Topo, it has a sort of more direct narrative than a lot of his other work. I would say the double bill would certainly be a good experience, although 4+ hours of Jodorowsky is a little overwhelming considering his films have so much to take in.
I think the only solution: El Topo tonight. Then get a good sleep, a long walk, a hot shower, maybe meditate for a few hours… then go see Holy Mountain tomorrow. You should plan to spend Sunday recuperating.
I agree with APOCALYPSE: double bill. Wish I’d been able to do that.
Either, provided you leave befoer the third act is over and Jodorowsky continues the movie for another hour and a half of unnecessary time. He’s good but doesn’t know when to stop.
—PolarisDiB
I wholeheartily agree with Jesse M.
Slightly alter your consciousness, if possible.
His best is Fando y Lis.
But if I were you I’d start with Santa Sangre.
Fando y Lis and Santa Sangre aren’t playing at Jonathan’s nearby cinema. Do you suggest he pass up this opportunity to see El Topo and/or Holy Mountain on the big screen? I hope it’s a big screen.
I didn’t read his topic, only the title :D
In this case, go for any of them…
And g’luck!
Alright so it seems like El Topo is generally considered the best to see first, if not the double bill. Now, if I were only able to see one of these on the big screen this weekend, would you all still recommend El Topo?
And Cineaste, it is indeed on the big screen and I plan to be at least marginally intoxicated.
Both films (with great transfers) are available in a superb boxset along with the aforementioned “Fando y Lis”.
I saw “El Topo” more than once at cinemas back in the early 70’s when it was a midnight cult event but have never seen “The Holy Mountain” except on the DVD. If I could only see one, I’d personally opt for the latter. “El Topo” has a strain of bawdy satire played by actors with little ability that, especially nowadays, will likely evoke derisive laughter from a live audience; but Jodorowsky must have intended these characters to be viewed as fools.
Hell, Jonathan, go for topo.
I also recommend reading his comics.
The guy is a genius.
2 rare opportunities at the Museum of Art and Design this weekend if you’re in NYC.
I’ll go chronologically-
Fando and Lis
El Topo
Holy Mountain
I agree with Genesis Pig. Jodorowsky is a genius!
Go with The Holy Mountain; just dive right in!
I think I will try one of his films soon. Genius is a strong word Cookie. I will be highly disappointed if this Holy Mountain doesn’t blow me away. This guy is on a Mondo Tee so I fully expect top tier cinema.
Hey, I have that Mondo Tee. I wish the font was a little bit bigger but whatever though.
I had to watch the holy mountain a couple of times in order to like it. The first time I saw it I was left with a big question mark as to what the heck I just watch. But then my mind didn’t want to let go of the weird but powerful images I saw from it. So I began to research on who Alejandro Jodorowsky was as a person and he led quite an interesting life. So when I decided to watch The Holy Mountain a second time around I had a better understanding of it which made me like it much more.
I tried El Topo. It’s gonna be a long time before I try another.
I loved The Holy Mountain and El Topo, I hope you do too!
Either or let us know what you think :) !
The dvds of Fando and Liz, El Topo, and Holy Mountain all have commentaries by Jodorowsky along with other special feature interviews, etc. , that reveal his artistic intent. All extremely entertaining and informative. He is a truly amazing person, artist and filmmaker.
The dvds of Fando and Liz, El Topo, and Holy Mountain all have commentaries by Jodorowsky along with other special feature interviews, etc. , that reveal his artistic intent. All extremely entertaining and informative. He is a truly amazing person, artist and filmmaker.
I watched Fando y Lis, El Topo, The Holy Mountain, Santa Sangre. And you MUST start with The Holy Mountain, ‘cause it’s like a resume of all Jodorowsky’s movies.
HOly Mountain and El Topo are coming to Blu Ray this month, and look amazing.
Jonathan Jayasinghe
I’ve yet to see any films by Jodorowsky, and there happens to be a double bill of El Topo and The Holy Mountain playing nearby tonight and tomorrow. I don’t think I’d be down for both in the same night, nor am I certain if I’ll have the chance to see both this weekend. Which would make the better introduction to his work?