The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 21, 2020

Some pundits along the way have said that there’s a very fine line between being a visionary and being a madman, and it may be at least arguable that no contemporary filmmaker has blurred that line so vigorously (and most likely intentionally) as has Alejandro Jodorowsky. Just listing some of Jodorowsky’s other activities in addition to his filmmaking may give some indication of both of the characteristics listed above, at least in terms of how the combination of them all being done by one person might be perceived by outsiders as indicating both visionary and mad aspects. Jodorowsky at various points in his long life (as of the writing of this review, he’s still with us at the venerable age of 91) has been a puppeteer, a composer, a mime, a writer of comics, a therapist and a self- described mystic with a penchant for magical realist and/or surrealist thinking. Jodorowky first came to at least some prominence on the global cinema scene with El Topo in 1970, though Fando y Lis, also included in this set, preceded it by two years, causing more than a bit of a scandal upon its release, including being rather quickly banned in Mexico after its debut, something that probably kept it from greater renown at the time. El Topo at least managed to screen internationally, including in New York City, where it caught the attention of none other than John Lennon, who convinced Apple executive Allen Klein to fund further Jodorowsky efforts. This set also aggregates two other films from Jodorowsky, including 1973’s The Holy Mountain (one result of Klein's financing efforts), which, like El Topo, has had a previous release on Blu-ray (more about the previous releases in the appropriate individual reviews of that title). Bookending the never before released Fando y Lis, the first feature length film from Jodorowsky, is Psychomagic, A Healing Art, Jodorowsky’s most recent effort from 2019.

Note: Those who pay attention to things like menu designs and fonts utilized, or even to the look of the copyright warnings at disc boot up may instantly recognize how these discs look like Arrow releases, with an identical boot up appearance that is only different from an Arrow release in that it's missing the Arrow masthead. That said, in fact Arrow's own masthead does show up here on occasion with regard to some of the supplemental material. Arrow's UK division has their own The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray release which came out about a month or so ago. That release looks like it has Region B locked discs (I haven't received any screeners yet, and so can't confirm), but otherwise the releases seem to be identical.

For reviews of the four films included in this release, please click on the following links:

Fando y Lis Blu-ray review

El Topo Blu-ray review

The Holy Mountain Blu-ray review

Psychomagic, A Healing Art Blu-ray review

The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Video quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality of each film is assessed in the above linked reviews.

The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Supplements included on each of the four discs are detailed in the above linked reviews. Additionally, this is a deluxe set that comes housed in a slipbox that also includes a rather hefty booklet featuring in depth essays on each of the four films, cast and crew information, a lot of stills, and technical information. Six two sided postcards are included (mine were inside the Fando y Lis keepcase, as well as a two sided folded poster.

The Alejandro Jodorowsky Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It may go without saying, but I'll say it anyway: Jodorowsky's films are most definitely not for everyone. If you're a fan of Jodorowsky, however, you'll find this set has excellent technical merits and a great supply of supplements. Newcomers should brace themselves, but know that they're in for a one of a kind experience. Highly recommended.