There's a tendency these days especially, to release films that are longer than two hours. Often the subject matter doesn't justify this, and ends up being a slightly thin experience. 1989's Mexican psychedelic fairy-tale, 'Santa Sangre' in contrast, is so awash with weirdly compelling imagery and characters, that the passing of time is the last thing on your mind.
It takes a while to get to grips with 'Santa Sangre' ('Holy Blood' in English). It features the story of young Fenix (Adán Jodorowsky) whose traumatic carnival childhood becomes perversely beautiful thanks to director (and co-writer) Alejandro Jodorowsky's extravagant use of colour and mood. As he becomes an adult (Axel Jodorowsky), the mix of the horrific and the erotic (nothing explicit but often there, under the surface) creates an ambience that is increasingly disturbing and compelling.
This is an acquired taste. At times I really questioned what I was watching - but nothing drags, there is no excuse to look away. A surrealist nightmare, but not without its charms. My score is 8 out of 10.