Where does one begin when discussing a film like Begotten? The words truly remarkable filmmaking certainly come to mind. Guaranteed to be unlike any other cinematic experience you have ever had, Begotten is in a rare class all its own. Mesmerizing, captivating, upsetting, disturbing, grotesque, disorienting, confusing these are all words that can be used to describe the experience of viewing Begotten. Most importantly and finally, the film can be summed up in just two very important words, amazingly entertaining.

The debut feature from director Elias Merhige is mostly a hodge podge of biblical fact, fiction and interpretation. A godlike creature is shown viscously gutting and stabbing itself within the opening frames of the film. What appears to be this creature's spawn is then attacked and buried by some druid like creatures. What follows are bizarre scenes of torture, sorrow and suffering, all of which lead to the rebirth of the earth and nature, as we know it. It's at this point that we've only truly just begun to scratch the surface and describe the visual awkwardness that is Begotten.

Merhige is known most recently for his film Shadow of the Vampire (AKA the film with the longest and most boring opening title sequence of all time) and his video collaborations with musicians such as Marilyn Manson. The visually stylistic parallels are undeniable when you look back at these early music videos in comparison to Begotten, a film that has yet to be matched either in substance, style or cinematic effectiveness.

Shot in stark B&W quite often with the film either under or over exposed (it's not that easy, but you'd think it was), Begotten transcends the techniques of traditional filmmaking as we know it. The narrative contains no dialogue, just sparse amounts of music and chilling sound effects. What's so amazing about the whole experience is how much raw emotion is actually expressed through the camera lens without any actual dialogue or narration. The task of explaining either the story or the incredible effectiveness of Begotten is a tough one. This is a film that needs to be seen to be believed and it's an experience that you're not likely to forget any time soon after viewing. The powerful visuals of Begotten are destined to stay with you for quite some time, and you'll likely watch the bulk of this film wide eyed and jaw dropped.

Begotten is quite a cinematic marvel for many reasons (too many to list here, one can go on for days about this film). Most importantly, Merhige is able to create a film that contains images that are so foreign, yet they appear as if they're being documented live as if they are really happening at the moment. This is a true cinematic accomplishment and something that is not easy to pull off. These are images that seem so unfamiliar, yet the film plays off as if these events are really being documented, right here and right now. The deliberate visuals are quite astounding, the look of this film could never have been achieved by mistake.

Begotten is presented on DVD in a full frame transfer that looks as good as one could expect for a film of this nature. As far as the anomalies on the actual print, it's hard to decipher what's intentional and what is not. This is not my first time viewing this film, and I do feel comfortable in saying that this is about as accurate a representation of Begotten as we've seen on home video to date. Audio is presented in mono and sounds just fine. There is no audio distortion, music and sound effects are also accurately represented on this DVD edition.

Extras include a brief still gallery, a wicked theatrical trailer and some brief production notes (which explain how the look of the film was actually achieved). Also included is a collector's booklet with a brief essay and interview with Merhige.

Begotten is an extremely important film and in my opinion is not to be missed by any true self-respecting fan of cinema. This is not a film for everyone Adam Sandler fans beware. Only truly adventurous moviegoers need apply. Just like film school nerds look back on Battleship Potemkin and Un Chien Andalou now, in years to come, they'll look back on Begotten under the same light. Begotten is true cinema and a prime example of raw power and emotion. Visually stunning and frightening all at the same time, Begotten could be one of the most important DVD cinematic experiences you will ever have. Plain and simple, Begotten is a beautifully horrific vision, don't miss it.

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