Where to begin with 'El Topo'? My first foray into the bizarro world of director Alejandro Jodorowsky left me slack jawed at times and on the verge of bolting from the room at others. Jodorowsky plays the lead character El Topo, which translates to 'The Mole'. Clad in black and with his naked son accompanying him on horse they both witness and commit scenes of carnage. This is a bloody movie, you will see a lot of blood, vast pools of blood, oozing and spraying in all bloody directions.
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| The traditional 7th birthday speech |
El Topo soon sets out on a quest to kill four masters who reside in the depths of the desert. Encouraged by a flappy female whose company he traded for his son, El Topo tracks these bizarre characters down and challenges each of them. These unique chaps each symbolise one of the universe's religions and El Topo wants to be greater than them all. Metaphors appear to be rife throughout this chaotic journey, while some are gratuitous I gather from the themes that there may be more buried within the shattering images. At least they were buried to me, or perhaps Jodorowsky is just intentionally fucking with our heads. Scenes of disemboweled animals, mass hangings, rape, disfigurement, blood soaked walls are around every corner. Memorable characters and wildly inventive scenes are dotted amongst all this decay, so hang in there kid. After being peppered with bullets El Topo awakens in a cave, he has been transformed into a deity by a community of inbred outcasts. Shunning his former life of hate he pledges to free the cave dwellers by digging them free. Unfortunately all that awaits them is a town whose inhabitants are rendered despicable by their very own deity, whatever it is. Are you in yet?
This wasn't an easy film to watch on several levels. Horrible and confusing scenes while on one hand can be riveting on the other make me want to press 'stop' on my laboured DVD player. I've seen plenty of whacked out shit that matches this but a cowboys mystical journey to self discovery just about had me walking out and heading for the nearest saloon to try and forget all about it. In saying all that I'm glad I've experienced it and now feel compelled to see Jodorowsky's 'Holy Mountain' (1973). Holy shit.
2.5/5
Convinced by your brilliant review-NOT on my list!
ReplyDeleteApparently its the best film ever made. Just watch the preview.
ReplyDeleteIt has an interesting history. The Beatle's manger, Allan Klein, purchased the distribution rights and helped finance other projects of Jodorowsky's, however he pulled it from circulation and it lay out of the publics sight for decades. Apparently he was waiting for Jodorowsky to croak and reap the profits from their release. They have since kissed and made up and the films were rereleased in the mid 2000's at various festivals. It is also considered the original 'midnight movie'. What a story eh.
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