Still, "Toward the Within" could be a solid item in certain cities. And it's a pleasure to see music of this quality on the big screen, prior to its inevitable home on video.

Not originally intended for theatrical release, the film has been blown up to 35mm, producing a grainy effect that is not altogether inappropriate, considering the otherwordly nature of the music. The group, which has been making major commercial strides lately (they've been recording for 10 years), is composed of principals Bredan Perry and Lisa Gerrard and five additional musicians, and the music is a haunting mixture of psychedelic rock, folk, world music (including strong Middle Eastern and Celtic influences) and trance-like chants.

The film is a blending of straightforward concert footage, filmed at Santa Monica's Mayfair Theatre during their recent American tour, and interviews with the band's principals. Unfortunatley, the combination of the slow, dirge-like music and the lack of motion on the part of either the musicians or the camera makes for a sometimes stultifying experience.

But the musical pleasures are many, particularly Gerrard's simply amazing voice, and the exotic instruments (the histories of which are explained by Perry) are fascinating.

The film is helmed by Mark Magidson, whose last feautre, the 70mm image-laden, non-narrative documentary "Baraka," featured music by the group. He returns the favor, employing outtakes from that film for the opening segment, a video for the song "Yulinga." The music is a wonderful soundtrack for these haunting images, making one wi sh that the technique had been employed somewhat more for this effort.