Gurdjieff is such an intriguing character- a Greek-Armenian wanderer turned mystic- whose stories combine travelogue, religion, mysticism, and sci-fi; with a Tai-Chi like system of exercise; and rather rigourous ritual structure (not portrayed in the film, but approaching the tactics of Scientology)...to form a full blown cult of personality, that would go on to influence, even, presidents.
The story here- taken from Gurdjieff's book of the same name, about his travels, and the men he would meet on his path toward enlightenment- starts with a young grifter in Armenia, who gets by hustling with his friends...before he meets an old Dervish priest, with a mysterious parchment that a Russian prince had paid thousands of dollars to copy.
This takes him away from his friends, and sets him on a path that will take him to far off distant places, where he will meet many renown men.
Mainly, those in the Dervish community, on who- the film suggests- his system was based and developed from.
Though, many of the tactics shown are actually "The Movements" developed by Gurdjieff, himself...particularly those portrayed in the group scenes in the school.
All of this ties in with Gurdjieff's cult having a sort of gnostic basis, grounded in Zoroastrianism.
While the film is slow paced, it's also very intriguing - having been designed to take you through Gurdjieff's backstory (as he tells it, of course) in a very clear and straight forward way.
I say "or course", above, because Gurdjieff was basically a fraud on par with Castaneda himself...just making this crap up, the same way Castaneda did with Don Juan.
Either way, however, the scenery is amazing...and Brook uses alot of extras to create "big" scenes- which really set the tone of the film's atmosphere.
The choreography of the dances- whether those of the whirling Dervishes, or those employing Gurdjieff's own methods- are exquisitely done...with the scenes shot rather beautifully.
Alluring us, as viewers, the same way that Gurdjieff would have been allured by the great men he would meet on his journeys, while out exploring as a curious traveler, out of his element, on a hunt for answers about the very nature of his own being.
Though open ended (Gurdjieff's other books would effectively continue the story), the whole thing really is quite stunning...and draws you in, like a curious mind is drawn in to something exotic and new.
An excellent introduction to Gurdjieff, for the more visual learner.
7.5 out of 10.
