El Topo Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "El Topo" delivers mixed results, marking a contentious area for discerning videophiles. Supervised by Alejandro Jodorowsky himself, the transfer claims to use the original negative, which results in commendable detailing and color reproduction. Facial close-ups and texturing of the sandy terrain are rendered with impressive clarity. The vibrant hues, especially the bright blue sky and earthy, sandy expanses, appear robust, enhancing the visual appeal significantly. Additionally, the image maintains a consistent sharpness and perceivable depth, except for a few softer scenes that detract slightly but not overwhelmingly.

However, the transfer’s attempts to clean up the image have led to some drawbacks. The almost complete absence of grain creates a sometimes scrubbed and lifeless appearance, detracting from the film's organic texture. Despite strong fine details, the lifeless image occasionally disconnects from its rich thematic content. Moreover, technical imperfections such as sporadic edge halos, slight blocking in darker backgrounds, and persistent yet minimal white speckles and vertical lines can detract from the viewing experience. While these issues are relatively minor in isolation, their combined effect might disappoint some viewers who expected a near-perfect restoration.

The audio presentation of "El Topo" on Blu-ray provides a dual offering with Spanish DTS-HD MA 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 Stereo, as well as an English dub in LPCM 2.0 Stereo. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a somewhat contextual and faithful recreation but falls short in dynamic depth and immersive experience. Dialogue tends to be thin and lacks realism, though it maintains adequate clarity. Atmospheric sounds, including wind effects, are mostly conveyed through the front speakers and tend to cluster in the central channel, displaying minimal use of surround channels.

Sound effects exhibit a cramped quality with neither ambiance nor punchy impact, failing to invigorate the soundtrack. The musical score, while integral to the movie, unfortunately skews harsh and flat with mediocre high-end definition and lackluster low-end presence. Despite these shortcomings, this remains a 40-year-old cult classic that may not have been designed to impress modern audiophiles. The Spanish stereo track, in particular, aligns more naturally with the film's original context and period aesthetics, contributing to a more cohesive auditory experience even if not technically superior to the 5.1 option. Subtitles are generously available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, enabling a wider audience reach.

The "El Topo" Blu-ray supplements its groundbreaking feature with a select array of extras that provide rich context and profound insights valuable to both new viewers and seasoned aficionados. The standout inclusion is an Audio Commentary by the visionary director Alejandro Jodorowsky, where he eloquently delves into his creative process, the film’s semi-autobiographical elements, and the complex interplay of its themes and characters. His candid reflections on the necessity of artistic integrity make this commentary indispensable. Complementing this is a brief but enlightening Interview with Alejandro Jodorowsky, where he touches on the film's critical reception, its thematic contrasts, and cinema's role in societal healing. Additionally, a Photo Gallery featuring script excerpts and critic blurbs, and a Theatrical Trailer are included, further enriching the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Alejandro Jodorowsky's insights on the film’s production and themes.
• Alejandro Jodorowsky Interview: Discusses critical reaction and thematic elements.
• Photo Gallery: Includes script notes and critic excerpts.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material.

Alejandro Jodorowsky’s El Topo exemplifies the director's penchant for creating complex films that perplex and challenge audiences. This work is a vivid representation of underground cinema, carefully constructed to juxtapose identifiable elements against abstract concepts, providing an open canvas for varied interpretations. The story follows a black-clad gunslinger, El Topo (Jodorowsky himself), and his nude seven-year-old son (Brontis Jodorowsky), who venture into a desert and encounter a massacre. This event propels them into a journey marked by vengeance, profound spiritual insights, and philosophical musings. The tale deepens when El Topo leaves his child, takes Mara (Mara Lorenzio) as his prize, and embarks on a quest to prove his worth by defeating the finest gunfighters through cunning rather than pure skill.

El Topo cleverly mixes easily recognizable elements from Spaghetti Westerns with unsettling and ambiguous imagery. The narrative is rich in symbolism, interspersed with social, spiritual, and personal insights that demand close attention and interpretation. For example, the juxtaposition of El Topo’s black attire against his son’s nudity might symbolize the dichotomies of life and death or purity and sin. Each scene offers thought-provoking content that questions established norms and religious constructs. The movie's allegorical depth becomes particularly pronounced when segments are given Biblical titles, hinting at larger thematic and philosophical undertones.

Presented as both a literal journey across the desert and a metaphorical quest for self-discovery, the film gains further complexity through its visually striking set pieces and surreal sequences. The metaphor of El Topo, the mole who seeks light only to be blinded by it, encapsulates the film’s ethos—being more at ease removed from conventional norms. This brilliantly mirrors the essence of Jodorowsky’s work: a kaleidoscope of symbolic and abstract ideas meant to be absorbed without preconceived notions. Whether seen as an exploration of human existence or an exercise in avant-garde cinema, El Topo remains a thought-provoking piece that blends everything and nothing into a fascinating whole.

The Blu-ray release of Alejandro Jodorowsky's cult classic "El Topo" offers a mixed yet essential experience for cinema enthusiasts. The film, known for its abstract and often perplexing narrative, presents a journey that can be both confounding and captivating. The 1080p transfer, while director-approved, includes some issues that could distract from the viewing experience. The visuals in certain scenes don't maintain consistent fidelity, occasionally detracting from Jodorowsky's distinctive cinematographic style. The lossless soundtrack, although offering clarity, feels cramped and may not fully capture the film’s eclectic audio landscape, which is integral to its surreal ambiance.

This release stands out for its substantial collection of extras, crucial for anyone aiming to dive deeper into "El Topo’s" multifaceted universe. The disc retains all the special features from the original DVD set, ensuring that newcomers and longtime fans alike find significant insights. Highlighted is the commentary by Jodorowsky himself, where his philosophical musings, religious discourse representing various denominations, and autobiographical elements shed light on many of the film’s obscure nuances. This feature alone enriches the viewing experience, offering a meta-narrative that complements the film’s enigmatic substance. Additionally, a short interview with Jodorowsky and the reproduction of the shooting script with interactive art and notes further enhance understanding and appreciation.

As to the question that opened this review—must every film have within it some definitive, definable, digestible purpose—the answer, at least as one may choose to answer after viewing and thinking about "El Topo," is obviously no. "El Topo" is certainly a film that's been interpreted just about every which way a film may be, but to say there's a single answer to exactly what it is, what it has to say, and why it says it would be a falsehood, for the picture is so abstract and so certain to speak to its audiences differently—or not speak to them at all—that there's simply no right or wrong way of interpreting it. Whatever one takes away from the experience, which very well may differ with every viewing and depending on one's own state of mind and place in life, is for that moment, anyway, the proper interpretation for that viewer. That the film is so capable of being so many different things is its greatest source of strength; that its superficial elements don't add up to much is inconsequential, and what makes the film so unique, then, is its boldness and ability to so thoroughly confound but at the same time so thoroughly entrance. "El Topo" isn't for everyone; it's about as far from the mainstream as a film is likely to get, but for audiences with an open mind and a willingness to try something new, there's no better movie to watch. Though there's no guarantee as to whether one will love the movie or hate it, "El Topo" is a picture that demands at least the respect of a viewing, whenever one is prepared to give it a chance. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release of "El Topo" features a good but somewhat problematic director-approved 1080p transfer, a cramped lossless soundtrack, and a few extras. The film comes recommended, but only those who have seen it and want to see it again should commit to an outright purchase.