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Zardoz (1974) 5.8
In the distant future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements. Director:John BoormanWriter:John Boorman |
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Title: Zardoz (1974)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Sean Connery | ... | ||
| Charlotte Rampling | ... | ||
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Sara Kestelman | ... |
May
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| John Alderton | ... | ||
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Sally Anne Newton | ... |
Avalow
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Niall Buggy | ... |
Arthur Frayn /
Zardoz
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| Bosco Hogan | ... |
George Saden
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Jessica Swift | ... |
Apathetic
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Bairbre Dowling | ... |
Star
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Christopher Casson | ... |
Old Scientist
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Reginald Jarman | ... |
Death
(voice)
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
In the distant future Earth is divided into two camps, the barely civilized group and the overly civilized one with mental powers. A plague is attacking the second group, after which its members cease to have any interest in life and become nearly catatonic. When Zed, one of the barbarians, crosses over, the tenuous balance in their world is threatened. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>
Taglines:
Into a world of eternal life, he brought the gift of death See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
IrelandRelease Date:
6 February 1974 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Tas tanri Zardoz See more »Box Office
Budget:
$1,570,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
4-Track StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Arthur Frayn: I am Arthur Frayn, and I am Zardoz. I have lived three hundred years, and I long to die. But death is no longer possible. I am immortal. I present now my story, full of mystery and intrigue - rich in irony, and most satirical. It is set deep in a possible future, so none of these events have yet occurred, but they *may.* Be warned, lest you end as I. In this tale, I am a fake god by occupation - and a magician, by inclination. Merlin is *my* hero! I am the puppet master. I ...
See more »
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven (as Beethoven)
Played by the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Conducted by Eugen Jochum
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The movie's opening sequence is an introduction which was added onto the film by John Boorman at the request of 20th Century Fox studio executives so as to assist audiences to understand the film. See more »Goofs
(at around 58 mins) When Zed shoots Arthur the magician, who then falls out of the mouth of the Zardoz head, you can see the wire supporting the actor. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Arthur Frayn: I am Arthur Frayn, and I am Zardoz. I have lived three hundred years, and I long to die. But death is no longer possible. I am immortal. I present now my story, full of mystery and intrigue - rich in irony, and most satirical. It is set deep in a possible future, so none of these events have yet occurred, but they *may.* Be warned, lest you end as I. In this tale, I am a fake god by occupation - and a magician, by inclination. Merlin is *my* hero! I am the puppet master. I ...
See more »
Soundtracks
Symphony No. 7 in A, op. 92, 2nd movementMusic by Ludwig van Beethoven (as Beethoven)
Played by the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Conducted by Eugen Jochum
See more »
This movie just about defines what a Great Bad Movie is supposed to be.
It starts off with Sean Connery dressed only in red diapers and bandoleers sneaking into a giant levitating stone head, passes through a fruity utopian post-nuclear society, and then heads into post-modern literary references.
The film looks like it was cooked up at an LSD fuelled party in the 70's that I wish I had been at. I wonder if Boorman came up with Excalibur at the same party. Visually there is a similar thread in both films. One is just a whole lot more coherent than the other. At first viewing Zardoz makes no sense at all, but is so wonderfully weird, so out there that you stare at it in disbelief. How did they get James Bond to run around Northern England in his undies? Why is the bread green? What's with the magic marker mustache? These are the types of questions that come to mind and keep you wading through the mess on the screen. The questions keep your mind occupied while your eyes feast on state of the art 70's futuristic concepts. It's as brilliantly fascinating as a 10 car freeway pile-up and you can watch it with considerably less guilt.
Everything is so beautifully, perfectly confusing in this film that it was with a heavy heart that I had to admit after the 4th viewing that it DOES MAKE SENSE. I will not spoil the fun for anyone else but the whole thing really does come together. I can only say that you should enjoy the cacophony while it lasts because once you get the film's storyline it's not half as fun. Though there are still some great lines of dialogue left: "I'm voting for him, Monster" being my favourite.
In any case viewing the film from a 21st century perspective reminds me that back in the 70's some very original, idea based SF movies could be made with a fittingly large budget. Some of these films have become classics which is more than I can say for the big-budget, no-brainer crap that mostly comes out of Hollywood nowadays.
I wholeheartedly recommend Zardoz for those who can admit to cinephilic guilty pleasures!