Taking Tiger Mountain
"A very well put together release."
This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray/DVD combo. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Derek Gabryszak) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
In a dystopian future, Billy Hampton (Bill Paxton, in his first on-screen role) is a World War III draft dodger who finds himself part of an experimental brainwashing program created by a group of radical feminists. After being released from the program, Billy heads to Wales for what he believes will be a sex-filled vacation. But, unbeknownst to him, Billy is really there to assassinate the Welsh Minister of Prostitution.
A wild hybrid of art and experimental filmmaking techniques, TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN began production in 1974, under the direction of Kent Smith using short ends left over from LENNY. After languishing in an unfinished form, the film was resurrected and completed by Tom Huckabee and eventually released in 1983; immediately making it an underground legend.
Adapted in part from William S. Burroughs' classic short story 'Bladerunner,’ TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN transcends genres and engulfs the viewer in a high contrast fever dream of science fiction based surrealism. Never officially released on home video and long viewable only from poor quality bootlegs, Vinegar Syndrome proudly presents the world home video premiere of TAKING TIGER MOUNTAIN, newly restored in 4k from its original 35mm black and white Techniscope negative.
Directed by: Tom Huckabee and Kent Smith
Starring: Bill Paxton and The Townspeople of Llangadog, Llandovery, Llanelli, Gwynfe, Llandeilo and Bethlehem of South Wales
1983 / 83 min / 2.35:1
• Region Free Blu-ray/DVD combo
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm Techniscope negative
• Presenting both the original theatrical version and the 2019 ‘Revisited’ version
• Director introductions for both versions
• “Taking Over Tiger Mountain” - an interview focused on the original version with director Tom Huckabee
• “Revisiting Tiger Mountain” - an interview focused on the revisited version with director Tom Huckabee
• “Interviews with Welshmen” - a short film by Kent Smith
• Booklet with essay by Heather Drain
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.2916665 / 5 from 24 reviews.
Taking Tiger Mountain is a unique blend of art and experimental filmmaking, featuring Bill Paxton in his first on-screen role. The film has garnered positive reviews for its mesmerizing performances and has been praised for its restoration and presentation in 4k. It offers both the original theatrical version and a revisited version, along with additional interviews and essays.
Review topics: ["buy","film","bill paxton","features","performances","science fiction","sex","release","disc"].
"A very well put together release."
"Seeing Bill Paxton in his first lead role is reason enough to own this, but the film’s bizarre "brainwashed assassin" plot keeps you genuinely transfixed."
"Great purchase!"
"Taking Tiger Mountain was more or less a blind buy. When Vinegar Syndrome first came up on my radar, this was one of the movies that caught my attention. I found the concept fascinating but never pulled the trigger despite all the sales opportunities. Finally did it this time around and I'm glad. It lives up to the bonkers idea that I had created in my head. There's a raw sophistication to the film that struck an itch I didn't know I needed. It's very rock n roll in that sense. If you like wonky, low-fi, high concept science fiction, you may be surprised by how engaging Taking Tiger Mountain is. My only regret is not buying it sooner."
"This is one of the few features from VS that I hadn’t picked up yet. Has some fascinating and really dedicated performances and is a super interesting concept for a film. The shipping was also fast as always"
"Fun flick"
"I have really enjoyed some of the surrealism work that VS is releasing both on the genre side of things and with their Meluisine label. These are the kind of films that really stick with you, as even if they are flawed in one way or another they provide such unique moments that really connect classic painter like artistry with the composition of film. Good features for this one and I really appreciate having it in my collection."
"If you want to see early Bill Paxton in an Arthouse film then this may be for you. Overall just thought it was okay. Glad I got it on a deep sale."
"Great film. I had never seen this before and was pleasantly surprised by it. The disc was up to the usual high standards. Overall a recommendation for sure."
"It's wild to discover this movie through Vinegar Syndrome after being familiar with the Eno album for so long. Good watch."
0 Item(s)