Watch The Holy Mountain

The Holy Mountain, released in 1973, is a surreal adventure film directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky. The movie follows the journey of a man known as The Thief, played by Jodorowsky, as he aims to find enlightenment and ascend to the top of a holy mountain. Along with a group of similarly lost and disillusioned individuals, The Thief embarks on a journey that takes him across an unusual and mystifying landscape filled with strange and unpredictable characters.

The movie opens with a sequence involving a collection of bizarre and unsettling images, setting the tone for the rest of the film. We meet The Thief, a man living as a beggar on the streets, who is soon confronted by a group of alchemists, who see in him a potential savior. Along with a group of other seekers, including a nun, a businessman, and a group of armed and dangerous soldiers, The Thief journeys to the titular Holy Mountain, where he hopes to discover the meaning of life.

The Holy Mountain is a deeply symbolic film, filled with imagery and metaphors, which Jodorowsky uses to explore themes of spirituality, enlightenment, and the nature of reality. The characters The Thief meets on his journey are representative of different aspects of human experience, and their individual paths reflect the varying approaches people take in their pursuit of enlightenment.

Jodorowsky's unique perspective is evident throughout the movie, as he uses a blend of surrealism, religious iconography, and psychedelic imagery to create a world that is simultaneously unsettling, intriguing, and mystical. His artistic style is often described as "transgressive" or "provocative," as he uses the film to explore taboo subjects and challenge societal norms.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy, with stunning visuals that are both beautiful and disorienting. Jodorowsky makes use of a variety of camera techniques, including slow-motion, split-screen, and extreme close-ups, to create a dreamlike quality that keeps the audience engaged and guessing.

The film's soundtrack is equally impressive, with a score composed by Jodorowsky himself, featuring a mix of classical music and rock songs. The music complements the surreal visuals, adding to the overall sensory experience of the film.

Overall, The Holy Mountain is a cinematic masterpiece, with its unique blend of surreal imagery, provocative themes, and stunning visuals making a lasting impression on audiences. Despite its controversial and challenging nature, the film has garnered a cult following over the years, and its influence can be seen in the work of other avant-garde filmmakers. For anyone interested in exploring the more bizarre and experimental side of cinema, The Holy Mountain is a must-see.

The Holy Mountain is a 2014 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 53 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 76.