The Holy Mountain

The Holy Mountain

Year: 1973

Runtime: 114 min

Language: english

AdventureDramaFantasy

A mysterious alchemist leads a Christlike figure and seven self-absorbed individuals on a challenging quest to the legendary Holy Mountain. Their journey takes them through surreal and bizarre landscapes filled with dark humor and mystique. Along the way, they encounter ritualistic scenes that challenge conventional notions of piety and sacrilege, all while searching for spiritual discovery and confronting the pervasive nature of greed.

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Timeline – The Holy Mountain (1973)

Trace every key event in The Holy Mountain (1973) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Fool in the Desert

A man, characterized as a thief, lies in the vast desert, exhibiting the traits of The Fool tarot card. Swarming flies surround him, and the scene is disrupted by a group of nude children who remove a flower from his hand.

Desert
2

Binding and Awakening

The children and a limbless man bind the thief to a pole, pelting him with rocks as a form of cruel play. A sudden impact on his forehead jolts him awake, enabling him to free himself and scare the children away.

Desert
3

Bonding Over a Joint

After regaining his freedom, the thief confronts the limbless man, waving a rock threateningly. In an unexpected twist, they instead bond over sharing a joint and decide to venture towards the city together.

Desert
4

Wax Statues of Christ

Upon arriving in the city, the thief's resemblance to Jesus Christ leads to him becoming intoxicated by local revelers. In a bizarre series of events, they utilize his unconscious body to craft wax figures of Christ.

City
5

Destruction of Wax Figures

When the thief finally regains consciousness, he finds himself surrounded by wax statues. In a fit of rage, he destroys all but one of the figures, symbolizing a violent rejection of the false identity imposed upon him.

City
6

Encounter with Prostitutes

While wandering the city streets, the thief encounters a group of prostitutes, one of whom becomes enamored with him. This unexpected affection introduces a new dynamic in his unfolding adventures.

City
7

Conflict with the Priest

The thief enters a hall filled with dancing soldiers and joyful locals but quickly finds himself at odds with a priest. The priest's disapproval escalates to a confrontation that forces him to leave the hall.

City Hall
8

The Act of Sacrifice

In a shocking moment, the thief consumes the face of his remaining wax statue and sets it afloat with balloons. This act symbolizes both a grotesque form of communion and his offering of self to a higher power.

City
9

Gold for Food

While exploring further, the thief discovers a crowd around a structure where a golden bag is exchanged for food. Compelled by curiosity, he climbs the tower, leading to an encounter with a mysterious alchemist.

Tower
10

Magical Transformation

After an unusual exchange with the alchemist, the thief inadvertently defecates into a container during their meeting. To his astonishment, the alchemist magically transforms the waste into gold, prompting a significant change in the thief's fortunes.

Tower
11

The Alchemist's Apprentice

After accepting the gold, the thief rejects his previous self by smashing a mirror. The alchemist then takes him under his wing, starting a new chapter in his life as an apprentice exploring transformation.

Tower
12

Meeting the Seven

As part of his initiation, the thief meets seven distinct individuals, each representing negative traits of the planets. This eclectic group includes a cosmetics producer and a police chief among others, signifying a diverse new family.

Alchemist's Abode
13

Journey to Lotus Island

Under the alchemist's guidance, the group embarks on a boat journey to Lotus Island, aiming to seek out the secret of immortality. However, they're quickly sidetracked by the vibrant distractions of the Pantheon Bar.

Boat to Lotus Island
14

Facing Fears

Finally reaching the sacred mountain's peak, each member is confronted with visions of their innermost fears and desires. The experience proves both revealing and transformative for the group as they navigate these trials.

Sacred Mountain
15

Breaking the Fourth Wall

In a surprising twist, the alchemist breaks the fourth wall, revealing the film crew behind the scenes. He instructs everyone, including the audience, to leave the mountain, emphasizing that 'real life' awaits beyond the narrative.

Sacred Mountain

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 01:39

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The Holy Mountain Summary

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The Holy Mountain Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Holy Mountain

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Holy Mountain

More About The Holy Mountain

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