Tusk

It never would've occurred to me throughout the career of Alejandro Jodorowsky, he would make a film in which would fade as much as it's (supposed) reputation. Seeing as Jodorowsky put so much effort into making Dune, never did I think much like how David Lynch would eventually disown the Dune film he made, Jodorowsky disowned a film of his own, especially since his other efforts being El Topo, The Holy Mountain and later Santa Sangre set the bar very high in terms of visual flair and thoughtful subject matter. Tusk on the other hand would be a big stain on his film career, my guess for how something like this largely fell as it did would probably be Jodorowsky's eagerness to get back in the director's chair after his Dune film failed to get off grounds. Yet while that failure seemed legendary from a distance, I don't think this film would've prepared him sooner since some if not all director's have a 'dud' in their careers.

First off, I'm just stating the facts of what I knew about this film before I eventually saw it. It's rare you'll find something you didn't know existed let alone from a high profile creative talent of cult cinema. I'm not even sure if I expected much from this film when I finally saw it. It's largely an adaptation of a children's book about a girl and an elephant that have a psychic connection, unlike any animal-human relationships. This story eventually takes many deep unexpected twists and turns as the plot progresses.

Jodorowsky's films are largely known for encompassing hugely fascinating and thought provoking, yet touchy spiritual subject matters. Even for a film like this largely set in India there wouldn't be a short supply of anything Jodorowky-esque (especially with what El Topo and The Holy Mountain covered). I think it's the story and plot that's at faults here rather than the overall subject matter. I'll give the film credit for having strong characters who all have clear motivations conflicting with one another and does have great gradual development. The visual pallet is also nothing short of eye-catching cinematography that captures the best of rural Indian villages and culture life. Sadly the story itself isn't that inspiring, even when trying to develop the relationship between Elise and Tusk, both character's stand out well on screen, but we lose track of them when so many other characters and conflicts come into play and there isn't much thought given to these plot points except they're a little predictable when they play out. Not to mention, the pacing is largely meandering at times I had to re-wind to make sure I didn't miss or sleep through anything. That's not to say this film is unwatchable, I think it is, especially with what Jodorowsky was able to work with in India of all places around the world.

But was it worth it? I don't think so, which was why this film was so disastrous upon it's release. It doesn't qualify as being so poor in quality as one of the 'worst' films ever, that's all hugely subjective. I guess if Jodorowsky experienced failure as not getting projects off the ground with Dune, this was something he released as being done and dusted before he decided not to associate with it, and it's a great shame. While some films that're notorious for their poor reception, Tusk is for better or worse lost throughout time as a forgotten directorial effort from an avant garde master of cinematic surrealism.

Lastly, if this film was more widely available I would encourage people see it (or find it if you can) and make up you're own minds about it. I liked the music of the film largely for being a cultural sound-drop for the iconic setting and the overall scenario that could've been better, not to mention I had seen better from other films. While there's plenty of things to admire from a distance about this film, I don't think it payed off in the end which becomes apparent when I finally finished watching the film from beginning to end. I may have wanted to like it more than I perceived, but I didn't, nor could I largely recommend this film from a distance of unknowing (Don't say I didn't warn you!).

"Tusk" is definitely Jodorowsky's worst. But does that mean it's a 'waste of time'? Under my opinion, no ; although it's true it's his less elaborated movie.

The story happens in India, when the English were still there. The two main characters are an elephant called Tusk and a young lady. Tusk once saved her life when she was younger, and that's why she wants to protect him forever. When she returns from her studies in England, the maharadjah decides to hunt Tusk for his ivory, while some alcoholics poachers are carrying the same goal. A long fight to save Tusk begins...

The many elephants and, as usual in Jodorowsky's movies, the incredible number of crowd artists are astonishing, especially for the hunting. Apparently, he enjoyed working with elephants, because there are also some in "Santa Sangre" (his following movie). Truly, there are some real finds, as the 'barbe a papa' imported from Las Vegas - but on the hole, it's unfortunately not as weird and fascinating as "El Topo", The Holy Mountain" and "Santa Sangre" ( three masterpieces for differents reasons ). The philosophical dimension is here reduced to friendship with an historical background ( the colonisation by the English in India ). You don't have to be a Jodorowsky's fan to enjoy this movie, but you might be disappointed if you are, because it's true "Tusk" is different - and somehow inferior.

The movie is hard to find and it's in french, but it's still a movie by A. Jodorowsky! The runtime of my tape is '115.

7/10

So there's a good reason for why this movie is obscure: it's a really dull film. It's set in India, and you follow a French speaking British family who owns several elephants. One of them is born at the same time as the daughter of the family, and she grows up to have a near bond with it. When she comes back from school in Britain, she has to face the fact that her family sell and handle elephants for a living, and that other people are after some of these. It's all very banal, and it never gets any exciting. Not even a little bit.

I'm sure the setting of the movie is the reason for it being made, because a lot of it is just them filming how exotic India is, and having the locals play themselves and/or stereotypes of themselves. It's a big production, with a number of elephants involved, some big structures and lots of nice location shooting. But ultimately it's all for nothing, because the story the movie is telling is a drag, and because it seems like they wanted to get as much film as the could of the locations and sets, the film lasts an hour longer than it has any right to.

But it's always a fun challenge to see what there is of interest in this movie, because despite all of its flaws, the director went on to become a much loved cult movie icon. To me, the highlight of this movie was the soundtrack, which was experimental for modern standards, and some times OK. Other than that, I found little to like. The setting has been better explored other places, and watching elephants being hurt and shuffled about is not a pleasant experience.

Watch this if you want to explore the full catalog of Jodorowsky's films. Don't watch it if you want to have a good time. It's not "as bad it's good", it's "as dull as heck".

This and The Rainbow Thief are the two films that are always mentioned as Jodorowsky duds. While I agree that neither of them have anything close to what you can see in his masterpieces (I like Holy Mountain the best, and it's definitely the weirdest one, although Santa Sangre might objectively be considered his "best" film)I feel that both are still worth watching, because they are still Jodorowsky films even if everything is a bit diluted from what it could have been. What can be said in favor of this elephant "panic fable"? Tusk still contains some of the bizarre energy that marks J's work, and has some very odd music throughout. The strangest scene is a trippy day-for-night chase and elephant vs. elephant battle, complete with crazy 70's synthesizer rock a la Styx(!) Only for a Jodorowsky completist, perhaps, but we are quite the bunch.

after searching for years to find a copy of this long buried film, i finally found a copy. after watching it, i now know why this film never got released. this film is void of Jodorowsky's strange imagery and messages. all it's about is an elephant and a girl born on the same day, and about some bad guys that don't like the giant animals. the movie is in French, which i don't speak, but it doesn't take a genius to realize this movie is a waste of time.