Alejandro Jodorowsky is one of world cinema s most fabled iconoclasts. Often venerated as the ultimate cult film director, the Chilean artist shot to prominence as a 1970s counter-cultural icon thanks to the masterful movies presented on this collection: Fando y Lis, El Topo and The Holy Mountain. These extraordinary films, presented here alongside his stunning new film Psychomagic, bedazzled audiences with their unique aesthetic, contrasting violence and beauty; the sublime and the sacrilegious; the mystical and the macabre...Jodorowsky s first feature, Fando y Lis, tells of young Fando and his paraplegic sweetheart Lis s journey through a series of surreal scenarios to find the enchanted city of Tar. An acid-western packed with vivid imagery, El Topo stars Jodorowsky as a master-gunfighter who duels with four sharp-shooting adversaries on his journey across a desert dreamscape. In The Holy Mountain, Jodorowsky plays The Alchemist, a guru who guides a troupe of pilgrims on a quest to ascend the Holy Mountain in search of spiritual enlightenment. Jodorowsky s new cinematic experience, Psychomagic, A Healing Art, explores the directors radical therapeutic work.Influential, controversial and endlessly fascinating, Jodorowsky s surreal masterpieces are presented here in stunning new 4K restorations, accompanied with a wealth of illuminating extras, and new writing.LIMITED EDITION CONTENTSNew 4K restorations of Fando y Lis, El Topo and The Holy Mountain approved by Alejandro JodorowskyBlu-ray premiere of Jodorowsky s new film PsychomagicHigh Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentationsOriginal 1.0 mono audio and optional 5.1 DTS HD Master AudioNewly translated English, Spanish and French subtitlesSix collector s postcardsDouble-sided fold-out posterLimited edition 80-page hardbound book featuring new writing on the films by Virginie Sélavy, Michael Atkinson, Bilge Ebiri, Mark Pilkington and archival articlesReversible sleeves featuring original and newly designed artwork by Matt GriffinFANDO Y LISAudio commentary by Alejandro JodorowskyJodorowsky Remembers Fando y Lis, new interviewNewly filmed introduction with Richard Peña, Professor of Film Studies at Columbia UniversityLa Cravate, Jodorowsky s compellingly surreal 1957 adaptation of Thomas Mann s The Transposed HeadsLa Constellation Jodorowsky, Louis Mouchet s feature-length documentary featuring interviews with Jean Mobieus Giraud and Peter GabrielEL TOPOFilm presentation in both 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 original theatrical aspect ratios for the first timeAudio commentary by Alejandro JodorowskyJodorowsky Remembers El Topo, new interviewNew introduction with Richard PeñaA Conversation with The Son of El Topo, a newly filmed, extensive interview with Brontis JodorowskyThe Father of Midnight Movies, an archival interview filmed in 2007El Topo Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CDTHE HOLY MOUNTAINAudio commentary by Alejandro Jodorowsky Jodorowsky Remembers The Holy Mountain, new interviewNew introduction with Richard PeñaPablo Leder: Jodorowsky s Right Hand Man, Jodorowsky s personal assistant remembers his time spent with the directorThe A to Z of The Holy Mountain, a new video essay by writer Ben CobbDeleted scenes with director s commentaryThe Tarot, a short film in which Jodorowsky explains the secrets of the cardsThe Holy Mountain Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CDPSYCHOMAGIC, A HEALING ARTBlu-ray premiere of Jodorowsky's new filmOriginal Trailer
M**H
The peerless master of underground cinema
If you don’t know Jodorowsky’s work but are intrigued enough to be reading this - don’t hesitate, take the plunge! These films are by turns joyful, jaw-dropping, symbolic, surreal, transgressive, visually and conceptually masterful. These films have inspired directors like David Lynch and musicians like Kanye and scores of metal bands. Jodorowsky was bankrolled by The Beatles, and planned to make Dune, which never happened but which had influence on Star Wars, Alien and Lynch’s version of Dune.These films are fantasies or dreamscapes, more a depiction of what’s going on in characters minds than in reality. The sets, costumes, cinematography, imagery and music all come from Jodo - it’s his singular vision you are watching. A telling quote; “I ask of film what North American’s ask of psychedelic drugs” - and wow, are these films a trip, man!For those who know these movies already, I can tell you that the 4K transfer improves on the excellent 2007 Tartan DVD release noticeably. The collection is the same - including soundtrack CDs for El Topo and the Holy Mountain, the excellent La Constellation Jodorowsky doc and commentaries included. There are interesting new features from Arrowe - the high quality you expect from them - including interviews with Jodo himself, insightful introductions to the films.Jodorowky’s new feature Psychomagic is included - this is a documentary in which he describes his technique for healing the personal, social and cultural hang ups that seem to be affecting us more and more and human beings. He clearly has some arcane knowledge but I’m really not sure of the validity of his symbolic approach (smashing plates on the chest of a suicidal man, then half-burying him as vultures feed on offal nearby, for example, and treatments involving the removal of clothes and cutting of a symbolic umbilical). It is explained that people need some kind of symbolic action before moving on. However, hearing the testimony from the brave people interviewed is moving and sympathetically treated, gripping like a melodrama and it is fascinating and often shocking to see the treatments applied and the raw emotion and regression shown. Throughout the movie, the subject’s inner state is cleverly illustrated by clips from Alejandro’s other movies. And one scene gives new meaning to “Smashing Pumpkins”It’s a shame Santa Sangre wasn’t included, and perhaps too much to hope the hard-to-find Tusk might have been included. What here is great though, and the movies are well packaged in a solid box and bundled with a great book, art cards and double-sided poster.
S**
An incredible set from a seminar director.
This is a fantastic set from a seminal director who is out on his own.As well as the films you get tons of extras.A recommended set for all Jodorowsky fans
N**Y
Wonderful set.
Really really nice set, sturdy box, great artwork and of course great movies. If your a fan or your interested in Jodo and have money for this somewhat pricey set then definitely get it.
S**Y
STUNNING BOX SET!
This is another STUNNING set from Arrow Video.Filled with mouth watering special features and beautiful reversible sleeve artwork. This is THE WAY to appreciate this master filmmaker. Looked forward to this set for the longest time.Also having Psychomagic as a first time release makes it super special!
M**N
El topo 5* / Holy Mountain 3* / all the rest 1*
El Topo is fantastic and Holy Mountain is an interesting film, with a lot of ideas thrown in. However, the other 2 films aren’t really worth your time to be completely honest... His new documentary, seriously makes me question the mans sanity and better suited as an extra feature than a film in its own right. Certainly not one id wish to revisit anyway. The fourth film I completely forget the name of, which pretty much sums up my feelings towards it. I think £55 is quite expensive for 2 decent Films. Had the awesome Santa Sangre been included, this would have been a 4-5 star review. Other features are ok, and intros are nice for each film. Overall disappointing I suppose, given this was my most anticipated release this year.
G**L
Disturbing scenes with animals / children
My partner is down to continue watching the rest so won’t put everyone off, but we got this and were really excited to see his movies for the first time, but no one seems to mention the animals anywhere so it was a shock for us to see a bunch of toads/frogs blown up and a literal dog fight.We tried the new documentary thinking it might be better since it was made recently, and were met with a disturbing scene with a woman and a child that seemed to us to be going over a line or two.Just putting it out there as I wish I’d had some warning of what I was letting myself in for! Sure it’s fine for some, I’d literally only heard good things prior to watching them, but I couldn’t hack it.If you can hack it tho, the box set itself is really nice and worth it for the devoted Jodorowsky fans
G**O
Gran box set
Gran edición de colección. En buenas condiciones y las películas son fantásticas, gran edición del maestro Jorodowsky, buena calidad de video. Totalmente recomendable.
