Thursday, June 16, 2011

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)
El Topo (1970)

Genre: Fantasy / Western
Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky
Starring: Alejandro Jodorowsky, Brontis Jodorowsky
Duration: 125 min.
Rating: 7.8

Summary:
El Topo decides to confront warrior Masters on a trans-formative desert journey he begins with his six year old son, who must bury his childhood totems to become a man.



El Topo is a Mexican film written, directed by, and starring master Chilean surreal filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky.  Released in 1970, it has since become known as a cult favorite, and a drug induced exercise in graphic violence and gratuitous nudity that might not seem that extreme today, but was shocking and controversial for its time.

There is no way to really describe this.  It does start off like a western but quickly evolves into an unexplainable, incomprehensible and utterly unforgettable experience heavy on symbolism and semi religious imagery.  Fans of Jodorowsky will be pleased to see that this one has recently been released on Blu-Ray, a format that finally does justice to the stunning and strange cinematography.   

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

El Topo (1970)

14 comments:

The Angry Lurker said...

A work of self indulgent madness but still very watchable.

Jack L said...

I've had this for ages now, but I've never got around to it. It does seem very weird, and I doubt I'd enjoy it much, but I've got to give it a try...

Beasts in Human Skin said...

I really need to watch more Jodorowsky films. 

Thenitefalls said...

That lesbian make out scene is making me interested in watching this film heheeh

Moviemonstrosityblog said...

Lesbians, westerns,... you got me

Poli Poll said...

El Topo is not a western and it contains all religions hmm

Poli Poll said...

Your commenting system is very very troublesome.

Smile from
http://asmileperday.blogspot.com

Knifed in Venice said...

Excellent film!  *applauds*

Hoi-Ming Ng said...

I would also like to note that this commenting system is problematic

d_4 said...

I'm not sure how I'd feel about this one. Even if it evolves into something not as western, it does have that backbone. And the trailer, well eh. I dunno, I'm being quick to judge.

Adalmin said...

It's like they parachuted David Lynch into a desert and told him to go crazy, I guess? Also, that poster is so beautiful that I am astounded at the crappy typography they picked for it.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yes definitely very weird.  If you haven't seen any Jodorowsky I recommend starting with The Holy Mountain. Still crazy but with a bit more focus.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

What problems are you having?

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Troublesome how?

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