Holy Mountain Blu-ray review

            After the success of the cult classic El Topo, filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky returned with a follow-up film made with a much higher budget. This was another shocking and surprising film by the writer/director. Filled with religious imagery mixed with violent and explicit nude photography, Holy Mountain was a controversial film from its initial release at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival. Riots actually broke out in protest of this film, and the film is just as shocking today.

            The plot is basic, though the presentation s filled with all sorts of baffling imagery that is deeply allegorical. Jodorowsky plays The Alchemist, a man who assembles a group of other humans on a quest to overthrow the gods secretly ruling the universe from a mountain top. This group of men and women travel to the mountain top after a great journey and the loss of their identities. They are human, but also all representatives of planets.

            The visual spectacle of the film is enhanced greatly by this highly anticipated Blu-ray release of the cult classic. The restoration has made this film look spectacular, certainly even better than it did when released in theaters for most people in the 70s. The Blu-ray disc includes a feature commentary with the filmmaker, as well as a deleted scene with an optional commentary. There is also a featurette on the restoration process, a photo gallery and theatrical trailer.