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critics consensus

By turns intoxicating and confounding, El Topo contains the creative multitudes that made writer-director Alejandro Jodorowsky such a singular talent. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

A black-clad gunfighter (Alejandro Jodorowsky) embarks on a symbolic quest in an Old West version of Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • Genre:
    western
  • Original Language:
    Spanish
  • Director:
    Alejandro Jodorowsky
  • Writer:
    Alejandro Jodorowsky
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $80.3K
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Producciones Panicas

Cast & Crew

Alejandro Jodorowsky
El Topo
Mara Lorenzio
La mujer
Jacqueline Luis
Mujercita
Brontis Jodorowsky
Hijo
José Legarreta
Moribundo
Alfonso Arau
Bandido 1
José Luis Fernández
Bandido 2
Bertha Lomelí
Gitana
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Director
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Writer
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Critic Reviews for El topo

All Critics (43) | Top Critics (17) | Fresh (34) | Rotten (9)

View All Critic Reviews (43)

Audience Reviews for El topo

  • Jul 16, 2014
    Alejandro Jodorowsky crafts a stunning, visceral and action packed Western film that can actually be compared to some of the genres finest works. El Topo is a great film, a film that is unprecedented in its raw energy, and fluid direction. Cult director Judorowsky also acts, and he delivers a film that is remarkable in the way that it showcases its violence. No other Western has taken such an approach as Jodorowsky. Brilliantly shot, acted and with a great story, this is a fine picture that is almost a forgotten classic of the genre. As far as Westerns are concerns, I would call El Topo as one of the finest along with Once Upon a Time in the West, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and The Wild Bunch. The film should definitely be rediscovered by genre fans, but due to some of its striking images, this may not appeal to everyone. If you're looking for something a bit different in the genre, El Topo is that film to watch. Alejandro Jodorowsky is a terrific filmmaker, and he doesn't compromise whatsoever. His vision is striking, unrelenting, and the sheer raw power of El Topo will grab your attention from the moment in starts. The story is well crafted and it is a film that resonates well, as Jodorowsky crafts a film that is very unique in the Western genre, a film that displays certain ideas that are the director's trademark. El Topo is a pleasant film, one that ranks among the finest in the genre, and if you've enjoyed many of the Spaghetti Westerns, you'll surely enjoy this one. The film has a raw power that makes it memorable due to its visuals, and you are simply enthralled at what you are watching. If you enjoy obscured, cult cinema, then El Topo is a film very well worth your time.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Apr 23, 2014
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
  • Feb 24, 2013
    Though always intriguing and making use of stunning visuals and an evocative atmosphere, this esoteric Western of religious references is still an unripe Jodorowsky, clearly lacking in narrative structure before he started developing better his ideas in later works.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Sep 05, 2012
    An unique western classic full of surrealist, violence and symbols. El Topo is a mistical work that tells the redemption of a gunslinger that look for perfection, but just find his ending. After this we met a different face of El Topo that, again bring he to his strange end.
    Lucas M Super Reviewer
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