DVD REVIEW: THE HOLY MOUNTAIN
DVD REVIEW:
ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT [ 2007 ] 115'
DVD REVIEW:
AVG. BITRATE: 6.80 Mb/sec
WTFFILM RATING:
As is said in the onsite review of this film, director Alejandro Jodorowsky and production company ABKCO were involved in a long standing dispute over the ownership rights for both this film and EL TOPO [1970]. The dispute was settled in 2004 and both began restoration work. EL TOPO and THE HOLY MOUNTAIN have seen limited theatrical screenings across the country over the past year and have finally arrived on DVD with prints that make previous grey market releases of the titles look positively pitiable by comparison.
THE FEATURE PRESENTATION:
THE HOLY MOUNTAIN is a new high definition master presented in anamorphic widescreen (aspect ratio is approximately 2.33:1). The transfer is progressive scan with excellent contrast levels and color reproduction, though they former may have been boosted somewhat during the transfer process. The slightest amount of dirt can be spotted in places when viewing on a larger monitor, notably during the opening credits sequence - I found there to be no noticeable dirt when watching the film on a standard television set. There are two audio options for the feature film - a 5.1 remixed surround track and a 2.0 stereo track. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Both of the feature audio tracks come through nice and clear with no noticeable issues. This is a very strong feature presentation with very little room for improvement. Bravo!
THE EXTRAS:
First up in the extras department is a wonderful full-length commentary track provided by Alejandro Jodorowsky himself. This is in Spanish with subtitles once again available in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese. Jodorowsky is invaluable to have around when delving into what the images on screen honestly represent. Also available are just over 5 minutes worth of deleted scenes complete with commentary by Jodorowsky. A 7 minute introduction to the Tarot - on which the characters and places in the film are based - by Jodorowsky is next. ABKCO has provided a restoration demonstration on disc that's the best this reviewer has seen - the commentary provided explains what all had to be done to get the print to where it is today and just how much better it looks now than it ever has. The original theatrical trailer, images from the production and snippets of the original script, and restoration/DVD credits round out the extras department. Good stuff.
THE OVERALL PRESENTATION:
Individually this disc comes packaged in a clear Amaray style snap case with full sleeve insert. The front cover features an image from the credits sequence of the film - as does the disc itself. Artwork for this title in the boxed set is, from what I understand, identical, only with disc being housed in a slim case as opposed to a full-size Amaray. The menu designs are attractive, with options easy to access and the text fully legible. It's nothing too fancy, but with a film like THE HOLY MOUNTAIN to present they hardly had to be. Excellent stuff yet again.
THE VERDICT:
All I can say is that it's about time. ABKCO's restorations of this and EL TOPO are a sight to behold and it's wonderful to
see that the two parties involved in the rights dispute were finally willing to set their differences aside so that the films
could be seen again. Now if only Francis Coppola and Kevin Brownlow could quit being so aggravating in regards to Abel Gance's
1927 masterpiece NAPOLEON we'd be in good shape. This is a wonderful disc with a reasonable retail price. I would spring for
the full 6 disc
THE FILMS OF ALEJANDRO JODOROWSKY