Director John Boorman is best known for the violent cult-classic "Deliverance" (1972) and his glorious version of the Arthurian legend, "Excalibur" of 1980. His bizarre and highly original Sci-Fi/Fantasy "Zardoz" of 1973 is yet another worthy entry to Boorman's repertoire, and while the film is far from flawless, it does deserve the certain cult-status it enjoys. His role in of Zed in "Zardoz" was the second for the great Sean Connery after his last engagement as (the only true) James Bond (a role which he should reprise in 1983 in "Never Say Never Again").
The film begins in the post-apocalyptic wastelands of 2292. The tribe of the "chosen ones", masked men with guns, is ordered by their bizarre deity, a huge flying head named "Zardoz" to massacre the "brutals", the common people. When Zed (Connery), a 'chosen one', climbs the flying head, which spits out guns for the followers of Zardoz, it turns out to be a machine, which leads him to the Vortex, a paradisaical place inhabited by bored immortals. The arrogant (human) immortals, who feel superior to the rest of humanity, keep the "brutals" out of their Vortex by using the "chosen ones" as their weapon... Sounds bizarre, and it is, in a great manner. Connery is great as always, and I could hardly imagine anyone else to play the role. It is also always a pleasure to see the very hot young Charlotte Rampling. Rampling is a great actress and stunning beauty, and she fits perfectly in her role of the Consuella, the most hostile of the immortals. Visually, the film is very interesting, and very much a product of its time. Both the uniform of the Chosen ones, which consists of masks, red speedos and long boots, and the psychedelic hippie-fashion of the immortals epitomize a future made in the 70s. The settings are great and the film's wonderfully bizarre tone makes it a must-see for lovers of cult-cinema. Yet the film has some flaws, the main of which is that it seems a bit too confused occasionally and sometimes becomes a bit boring in-between. However, the films many great qualities easily make up for its flaws. The performances are great, especially those of Connery, Rampling, Sara Kestelman and John Alderton. All in all, "Zardoz" is a highly interesting film, and the ending is simply brilliant. Highly recommended!
The film begins in the post-apocalyptic wastelands of 2292. The tribe of the "chosen ones", masked men with guns, is ordered by their bizarre deity, a huge flying head named "Zardoz" to massacre the "brutals", the common people. When Zed (Connery), a 'chosen one', climbs the flying head, which spits out guns for the followers of Zardoz, it turns out to be a machine, which leads him to the Vortex, a paradisaical place inhabited by bored immortals. The arrogant (human) immortals, who feel superior to the rest of humanity, keep the "brutals" out of their Vortex by using the "chosen ones" as their weapon... Sounds bizarre, and it is, in a great manner. Connery is great as always, and I could hardly imagine anyone else to play the role. It is also always a pleasure to see the very hot young Charlotte Rampling. Rampling is a great actress and stunning beauty, and she fits perfectly in her role of the Consuella, the most hostile of the immortals. Visually, the film is very interesting, and very much a product of its time. Both the uniform of the Chosen ones, which consists of masks, red speedos and long boots, and the psychedelic hippie-fashion of the immortals epitomize a future made in the 70s. The settings are great and the film's wonderfully bizarre tone makes it a must-see for lovers of cult-cinema. Yet the film has some flaws, the main of which is that it seems a bit too confused occasionally and sometimes becomes a bit boring in-between. However, the films many great qualities easily make up for its flaws. The performances are great, especially those of Connery, Rampling, Sara Kestelman and John Alderton. All in all, "Zardoz" is a highly interesting film, and the ending is simply brilliant. Highly recommended!