Super impressed by this review. Zardoz is incredibly creative, experimental, and chock full of relevant themes about classicism, implications of immortality, and the sexual nature of man. This film is visually striking and surreal, and super high concept. It deserves to be taken seriously for the themes presented, and you are one of the few reviewers I have come across that gives the film the thoughtful consideration it deserves. Everyone gets so caught up in Connery's costume and kookier aspects of the movie that they seem to overlook the deeper story points. While this film is derided as "so bad its good" by many critics, I easily look past the costumes and poor budget. It's all about the ideas presented, right? And Zardoz has so many interesting aspects to unravel. I guess I have a nostalgic love for the film, since I was born in 68, and saw it when I was about 10 or 11 years old, with my mom covering my eyes for some of the more nipply scenes. Such was the 70s! We didn't have any frame of reference for the bad clothing back then, and legions of critics hadn't had 30+ years to tell us how silly and dumb the movie was supposed to be, and that we shouldn't like it I agree that Zed and Consuela's' romance is forced - probably the weakest part of the movie for me. It's actually one of the most conservative parts of the entire film; a love story thrown in for relatability and audience appeal. It never occurred to me, until your review, that Consuella and May were lovers (perhaps emotionally in love with each other, but sexless, like all the immortals) but that makes total sense why she was so jealous of Zed from the start. Yes the story and plotting is problematic. I think the film actually needs about 20+ minutes of supporting scenes combined with a tighter edit to trim some of the fat. An intro sequence highlighting the downfall of civilization would have explained a lot ( ala the intro to Soylent Green). Humanity's need for a return to a sexual pair-bonding paradigm of life was an important point of the plot, since immortality had screwed up human nature so utterly. So given that Zed needed a mate, a more nuanced and fully explored relationship between Zed and Consuela would make the ending more meaningful, since May herself was destined to split off and form a new civilization. I find it interesting, as a male, that in this day of obsession over "strong female characters" in Hollywood, A film made in 74 shows May and Consuela as neither weak, impotent, or marginalized, nor are they consigned to imitating male action heroics as so many modern female characters are. Consuela ends up being a legitimate antagonist to Zed, and May is presented as the Vortex' leading scientist, and is critical to the fate of humanity after the end of the Vortex, since she leads the next generation of humans into the outlands to rebuild civilization properly once again. Neither female character runs around fist fighting and beating up men, or mimicking archetypal male behaviors. To me, these are actually interesting female characters , each with their own motivations and both women are resourceful and empowered. They are not women pretending to be men by "shooting guns and kicking ass". Exposition about the Vortex's true egalitarian structure is reinforced by having Conseuala be the ultimate driver of violence against Zed. But then again why not, there is almost no sexual dimorphism in the Vortex. And both men and women alike are generally passive and interchangeable. Inadvertently, this movie touched on some of the odd consequences and implications of true egalitarianism and blending of sexual gender/identity we see in the modern world. I'm also intrigued you never brought up the issues of sexual violence and rape imagery in the film. Those parts of the movie are like bait to modern reviewers it seems. But considering that the Exterminators' entire function was to kill and rape, including those aspects of Zed were important to his character. His savagery is what made such such a striking contrast and explosive element when introduced to the dull, detached, and sexless world of the Vortex. Having him be more civilized would have watered down the entire contrast of the two worlds. I fear a modern remake would really tone down that aspect of Zed as being too offensive and unlikable. Ironic that the 70s was actually edgier in some ways than modern sensibilities. Some of my favorite scenes were when May and the immortals were standing around and viewing his memories like he was some sort of animal. They considered him as such, yet all the while we was smarter and more capable than all of them - eidetic memory, mutant genius etc. Clearly, I could go on and on about this film :) The notion of the Apathetics and the immortal's boredom their death-wish is worth an entire discussion in and of itself. What happens to the human mind when we truly live forever? What will that do to our society and our mental health, to say nothing of class, wealth and social stratification? Is an immortal society even capable of generating new creative thoughts and experiences? Could such things be faked, imitated, or artificially induced? These are subtle issues humanity will likely start to face in the coming century. Eliminating sickness and death is the immediate engineering hurdle.. but after that is done, the real questions start to bubble up. Perhaps it's too much to be condensed into a 2 hour action flick, but I gotta give Boorman credit for even attempting it. Well anyway, great review, and I'm pleased you seem to be a fan of the film. I will be looking forward to future reviews, and I'll be going through your back catalogue as well. The 70s was such an amazing time for science fiction films - Andromeda Strain, Westworld, Logan's Run, Alien, Star Wars, Soylent Green, Solaris, Clockwork Orange, Close Encounters.. please Hollywood, a few less Marvel and Avatar movies, and a few more films like Oblivion and Moon would be greatly appreciated. Subbed.
Wow! You're awesome! Thank you so much for your complements and your in depth comment! I love everything you had to say! I am speechless. BTW, love all of the films from the 70's you mentioned. I am hoping to get the chance to analyse them in the future. :)
Brilliant. You said everything I wanted to say, so I don't have to say much of anything. It's a superb concept film, so weird and questioning of modern ideas. Many still frames are composed like paintings, with contrasting colors, red clothing against green blue trees and water. And that the leaders of Vortex 4 were women was so cool when I first watched. It's still disturbing and captivating even today.
Excellent analysis, especially about the strong female characters. Humanity achieving immortality is kind of like the dog finally catching the car: "what do I do now?"
Personally, I didn't find the romance between Consuella and Zed quite so problematic. Certainly, it could have been better developed and this would have made a more interesting film. But my impression, from early on, was that her hostility to Zed was the result of an attraction to him. She felt that Zed was a threat to her society. The only way she could prevent herself, and presumably others, from betraying the Vortex was by destroying him. The intensity of her attraction, combined with her loyalty to the principles of the Vortex, made it particularly clear to her the danger that Zed represented. The situation was only made all the more urgent when she realises the attraction is mutual. Her hostility to Zed reminds me of the kind of hostility sometimes exhibited by homosexuals, in denial of their homosexuality, against other homosexuals.
Saw Zardoz in an art house when I was a kid back in the 70's. Even then it was understood to be a hot mess, but with intriguing ideas. Like a lot of sci-fi films which ultimately failed to successfully execute their ideas. Still, those ideas never stop being interesting, or relevant.
I saw Connery played the role as the Green Knight in Sword of the Valiant. The movie was okay but his brief role in the beginning was spectacular. Showing us that he is versatile and can play any role in any genre.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy it despite the issues you have with it. The ideas, design, concepts and humor really make it a very unique and special SF film.
A similar scene in Star Trek TOS 1967 episode, "The Apple" has the inhabitants are ruled by a computer inside the head of Vaal. And feeds him their harvest. Their, Garden of Eden so to speak.
A better review of Zardoz than any other I have read so far here on RUclips. Strange, isn't it? Here we are, reviewing a seemingly tacky movie that just doesn't seem to want to go away; so perhaps it is relevant to ask ourselves, why that is? It is because the underpinning theme of the movie successfully addresses the continual and ever-present class warfare perpetrated in this oligarchic nightmare world of ours. Zardoz beautifully illustrates this reality, which makes it a brilliant movie deserving of serious consideration. In its core, Zardoz is a sublime movie which continues to fascinate audiences, often times without their being able to understand or express why this is so. Why? Because it touches the subconscious. It is the rarest of movies, the kind that of art has maintained its relevance through the decades.
I remember seeing this movie on VHS tape because this was one of the few SCI-FI films that I could see at the theatre because there wasn't a theatre showing it within bicycle riding distance. When I finally found it on VHS at the local tape rental stores back in the early 90s, I rented it and took it home. I first surprise was learning that the director was John Boorman, who I remembered also directed "Excalibur" in 1981, which I had the fun pleasure of seeing in the theatre. My second surprise was "What the heck am I watching?" almost directly from the beginning when you see the floating head with the crudely drawn on mustache and beard(?) monologuing about himself, who we learn is pretending to be a god who creates an army of savage killers. As the movie goes on, the movie seems to become more and more of a drug induced nightmare of a future. Perhaps the epitome of the insanity is seeing Sean Connery sneaking around dressed as a bride. The thought of that still makes me laugh at the perhaps intentional (?) comedy of the situation. Still the movie presented many ideas that made me think, such as the idea of immortality leading to the lost of excitement that life has on a basic level when, even if not consciously acknowledged, can be taken away at any moment. As always, enjoyed this look back on this movie from way back and look forward to your next review. PS: Speaking of the movie "Excalibur", I hope you one day decide to do a Retro Nerd Girl Review of that movie. If you need a copy, do you have a way such as a Public Amazon Wish-List that people can donate movies if you don't already have it?
Good to see a more holistic and appreciative review that highlights the concepts and states how more investment and fine tuning of the script could have placed Zardoz in the Sci Fi canon. The impact of the giant head floating across the screen in 1974 had already created small cult status and inspired me in my teenage years to seek out this film before the days of VHS and it did feature in late night slots such as BBC2's Moviedrome hosted by Alex Cox in the early 90s with more revered arthouse features such as the original, uncut Solaris.. When released on video it became a 'go to' favourite to peel yet more layers off and enjoy the excellent photography not to mention the performances of its lead actors, particularly John Alderton who was not long released from the cheesy BBC 'comedy' My Wife Next Door when this was made! Perhaps its real legacy is the juxtaposition of what it is and what it could have been. A big thank you RNG for a respectful and honest review of a favourite guilty pleasure.
A legend of movie history has left the world of man. And a lesser place remains for the rest of us...
4 года назад+3
20:36 - Where was this scene filmed? I know this sounds weird but I love to scroll around on Google Earth and find locations like this. Edit: I found it with help from movie-locations.com. Most of the movie was shot in County Wicklow in The Republic of Ireland. The lake is called Lough Tay. 24:28 - Just like with the "romance" between 7 of 9 and Chakotay in Star Trek: Voyager. Way outta left field and seemingly forced in the final hours of the series run.
A great and insightful commentary.and your voice is wonderful and expressive it's very different than the monotonous or pseudo-intellectual one of these that I have heard. You are terrific!
If another actor was playing Zed it wouldn't been as memorable and luckily Sean Connery was cast to add credibility to it. This film was part of the Golden Age of sci fi from 1968 till 1976 Logan Run was the last film of its kind before Star Wars. I saw this film in the early 1980's on cable and although weird and bizarre I really enjoyed it. Love your RUclips videos. Very informative
You have to go back as an 18 years old young spectator, on a meta hippy era when psychedelic movement has arised, else you cannot enjoy this film. Take in mind that living today this film seems meaningless, the fact that some scenes are missing in the later compilations, this effort is much more impossible to contribute t0 the message of the movie. Personally I do not know if John Boorman has created a masterpiece or a failure... The rest must deciphered from the individual spectators, according to their dogmas and axioms
This is the stuff! Saw this when I was 15-17 I dunno just loved it. Well done for the review you ain't no nerd just got taste which is lacking today. Cheers from UK x
I like to think that this movie, "Logan's Run" & "THX 1138" are all set at the same time & show how different parts of the world dealt with the problem of overpopulation. As for the big guy himself, Zardoz looks to me like a hairy version of the scowling robot in the Bela Lugosi serial "The Phantom Creeps".
I also thought about the idea of Logan's run being set in the same universe as zardoz. The "eternals" the immortal scientists invented immortality for space exploration. Freind tells zed he's been to space and found their human minds weren't up to the task. Basically saying the human brain does not have the capacity of figuring out the universe regardless of infinite life span for infinite time of research. So what i think happened was while they were in deep space collecting data all the things were happening on earth leading up to the events of Logan's run. And when they returned the world was in a disfunked state from lack of natural resources/war/pollution. So they fortified themselves in the vortex.
Great review, although actually I have yet to see the movie. I know, my bad. I have a suggestion for you for another review: Ken Russell's 'Tommy", 1975. I'm sure you could sink your teeth into that one!
You probably get recommendations all of the time, but I would be interested in your opinion of Silent Running: ruclips.net/video/gBWO6oJStZk/видео.html
@@RetroNerdGirl Your review was classy and nuanced and objective and I like that you had so many positive comments about it despite the oddities of the film. I always thought it was a pretty weirdly likable film, except for that weird last sequence. It was cleverly kept off the Saturday and Sunday movie cycle back in the three channel days of the 1970's and 80's (in TN where I grew up). Go figure! :) So, it was fun discovering it in the 90's as an adult when I first saw it. They cannot keep Zardoz hidden forever.. :)
All that dedication Connery showed to the role looks like he was kind of desperate to get away from his Bond status and like be taken serious as a Actor at that point. Shame the movie never really worked well.
One of my favorite movies. Yes its kitsch, clunky and some of the dialogue is unintentionally amusing, but it's a prescient movie, depicting how matriarchies end in sterility and apathy. At the time it received criticism for being sexist, but it's not sexist at all. It simply points out immutable facts about the incongruity that exists when humans find a peaceful utopia - they become bored and sterile. Boorman may have been inspired by a Huxley novel (didn't know that, thank you reviewer), but he also based his story on the mouse utopia experiments of the 60s. A fascinating movie and eerily prescient in some ways; 21st western culture isn't that far removed from the vortex in Zardoz.
I just watched it and had the same assessment. I felt it was an enjoyable mess of a movie. I would like to see it remade if given more focus and a better organized narrative.
Hey this was very satisfying I learned more abou this film than it just weird kinda sad to that Connery was struggling like that I never knew the Bond role was that overshadowing for him at that time.
It stuck with me as a 11 year old. even today people uncomfortable watching after taking a few mushrooms an hour before the starting. Fantastic planet is another.
YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS. I LOVE YOU, RETRO NERD GIRL. GO TO HE FIL, THE 300. WHEN THE CAPTAIN'S SON DIES HE GOES BERSERK. THERE IS ZARDOZ COME TO LIFE !
I’m guessing the phrase that’s unrepeatable (and also, cringey and hilarious) would be... to use the terminology from Full Metal Jacket... *THE RIFLE IS GOOD, THE GUN IS BAD!* And yes, this is a film that defintiely addresses classism, probably quite an anti-captialist, cartailnly an anti-1% film. I doubt we’d see a modern remake of this film in this decade. I’d love to see what you make of Logan’s Run (original 1970s film staring Michael York and Jenny Agutter) Lifeforce, Cherry 2000 and maybe the original (and best) Wicker Man (the one set in Scotland and played by Edward Woodward, not the one with Nicolas Cage) I think Sean Connery chose the part of Z specifically to kill off his typecasting as James Bond. One scene I remeber from Zardoz was when they played softcore pr0n to Z after some basic sex ed, none of which caused a twitch in Z... until Consuela looks at him angrily, *that* got Z going! Arthur Freyn really should have been played by *BRIAN BLESSED* especially if it meant him being the voice of Zardoz! But damn, both Sara Kestelman and Chrlotte Rampling were hot back then!
Ms Retro, this video is so well researched and considered - and very fair. Thank you for making it. I'm currently writing the official "Making of "ZARDOZ" book - I've set up a new Facebook page to tell people what I'm up to, and it's also for fans to leave their own opinions! It's at@t
Wonderful review! This movie has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a while too. That opening scene with the drawn-on facial hair was a bad sign, and I almost lost all hope when Zed cheesily jumped into that mirror pyramid… but it really tried to do something special. Not sure it quite succeeded, but there was a lot of ambition there. I ended up watching Lisztomania just because Sara Kestleman was in it. It’s… not as easy to recommend, but I’ve never seen a movie stretch real biographical facts into something so mind-blowingly insane. Not a movie for the sober.
one more thing, it seemed like it was a bit too personal of a project, so personal that you should have made it as a home is a whole movie with friends and watched it instead of spending all that money and time and trouble cuz it's like you said it's very watchable you want to see what happens but but as far as being meaningful, noI don't think so, it had its chance but it kind a blue the chance I mean it had its chance but it blew the chance and it made me blue well I got out of that pretty neat didn't I. No I don't think I did 😉
I did not know the _Exterminator_ masks were modeled after John Boorman's face. That sounds like something you would hear about on a James Cameron film...🤭
I really couldn’t disagree with you more about the opening of this film being silly, I personally think it’s the one of the more compelling openings to a film that I’ve seen and it’s a real grabber, an angry Godhead vomiting guns onto it’s disciples and telling them to go out and kill...Of course I don’t think the rest of the film actually lives up to the promise of the opening but I do like the film the more I see it over the years. Say what you will but it was ahead of its time.
One can review a past history. But one can never understand that time and mindset if one is an intellectually honest. The writers intentionally focused on what was hard for the people of the time to focus on. It's honest. Seen through the Progressive woke culture of our time it won't be able to send the message of a time and place. Zeitgeist. Once again that fringe misses the richness of life. At the time most of the message was lost. It was one of the first treatments of toxic masculinity. Feminism has become very quaint these days, real men & woman roles have become twisted by a fringe, pretending why the majority of all identities dance and love their dance are the unhealthy ones. Now it's widely seen through a lens of people who were not there at the time. So the message is still mostly lost.
Joe Rich no. The Floating head was a combination transport and mobile temple/effigy of the god Zardoz. Arthur needed it to transport weapons and, as Zardoz, sermons to the Exterminators all over the world. He also used it as a lab for his breeding experiments, away from the eyes of other Immortals. It was the older Renegade Immortals that ventured into space, only to return back to Earth/the Vortices. This happened well before the story depicted in Zardoz. So no, the head is not a spaceship. The vast openings in the head should have warned you about that idea.
You misunderstood this movie, that’s why some of the scenes don’t make sense to you. I appreciate the effort though, but there’s so much more in this movie. after you scratch the surface, then a lot of scenes start to make more sense
Just once I'd like to see someone write about immortality being awesome. I'm sick and tired of the whole "immortality leads to a meaningless life" crap. And who says not having children would lead to less sex? Seems to me it would lead to more sex since you can have all you want without having some crotch goblins ruining your life.
Keep expenses down by among other things driving himself to the studio to film. Oh my God, the poor guy, giving up a personal driver! After seeing the overhang on that loincloth I'm thinking you should have walked to the studio! Nyuknyuknyuk! That's what you call a real trooper, somebody's willing to drive a car for what 15 minutes or something, and then Wonder of wonders, drive home again, somebody else's home of course where he doesn't have to really do anything to upkeep it. Diehards like that are only one or two to a generation. 😜
Nerd Girlzz,,will not accept ZARDOZ. Be a good girl. WE are eternal. Use the grease,,be rooster. I ,,am,,,Zadoz. The Man behind,a curtain. do not look,do not pull,,or you will see.
I've always felt Sean Connery is an overrated actor, as a Scott myself I realise how treacherous that's sounds. His inability to change his accent can be immersion breaking at times and ruin the feeling of the movie. The Hunt for Red October is a prime example.
Können Sie empfehlen Medikamente für Furz und Durchfall? Ich Furz wie eine große Trompete. Vollen Klang, wie ein Kaiser Furz. Mein Durchfall fließt wie ein Fluss.
Retro Nerd Girl Movie Reviews you are talking clearly, naturally, conversationally and endearingly. Jess can maybe pay better attention. Excellent review, by the way
Nice review and thanks for posting it. Now i'll tell you what i thought of it. For me this is NOT the best movie ever made YET i have always had a soft spot for it because it was bold enough to take chances, and was shot so beautifully. To watch this you must treat yourself to a full widescreen presentation or it doesn't work. I just feel that so many films since the 80's do not take chances and are thoroughly un-creative, whereas ZARDOZ, on very little money, made the most of every cent even if it didn't always achieve what could have been a much higher benchmark. Thanks for reading.
Super impressed by this review. Zardoz is incredibly creative, experimental, and chock full of relevant themes about classicism, implications of immortality, and the sexual nature of man. This film is visually striking and surreal, and super high concept. It deserves to be taken seriously for the themes presented, and you are one of the few reviewers I have come across that gives the film the thoughtful consideration it deserves. Everyone gets so caught up in Connery's costume and kookier aspects of the movie that they seem to overlook the deeper story points. While this film is derided as "so bad its good" by many critics, I easily look past the costumes and poor budget. It's all about the ideas presented, right? And Zardoz has so many interesting aspects to unravel. I guess I have a nostalgic love for the film, since I was born in 68, and saw it when I was about 10 or 11 years old, with my mom covering my eyes for some of the more nipply scenes. Such was the 70s! We didn't have any frame of reference for the bad clothing back then, and legions of critics hadn't had 30+ years to tell us how silly and dumb the movie was supposed to be, and that we shouldn't like it
I agree that Zed and Consuela's' romance is forced - probably the weakest part of the movie for me. It's actually one of the most conservative parts of the entire film; a love story thrown in for relatability and audience appeal. It never occurred to me, until your review, that Consuella and May were lovers (perhaps emotionally in love with each other, but sexless, like all the immortals) but that makes total sense why she was so jealous of Zed from the start.
Yes the story and plotting is problematic. I think the film actually needs about 20+ minutes of supporting scenes combined with a tighter edit to trim some of the fat. An intro sequence highlighting the downfall of civilization would have explained a lot ( ala the intro to Soylent Green). Humanity's need for a return to a sexual pair-bonding paradigm of life was an important point of the plot, since immortality had screwed up human nature so utterly. So given that Zed needed a mate, a more nuanced and fully explored relationship between Zed and Consuela would make the ending more meaningful, since May herself was destined to split off and form a new civilization.
I find it interesting, as a male, that in this day of obsession over "strong female characters" in Hollywood, A film made in 74 shows May and Consuela as neither weak, impotent, or marginalized, nor are they consigned to imitating male action heroics as so many modern female characters are. Consuela ends up being a legitimate antagonist to Zed, and May is presented as the Vortex' leading scientist, and is critical to the fate of humanity after the end of the Vortex, since she leads the next generation of humans into the outlands to rebuild civilization properly once again.
Neither female character runs around fist fighting and beating up men, or mimicking archetypal male behaviors. To me, these are actually interesting female characters , each with their own motivations and both women are resourceful and empowered. They are not women pretending to be men by "shooting guns and kicking ass". Exposition about the Vortex's true egalitarian structure is reinforced by having Conseuala be the ultimate driver of violence against Zed. But then again why not, there is almost no sexual dimorphism in the Vortex. And both men and women alike are generally passive and interchangeable. Inadvertently, this movie touched on some of the odd consequences and implications of true egalitarianism and blending of sexual gender/identity we see in the modern world.
I'm also intrigued you never brought up the issues of sexual violence and rape imagery in the film. Those parts of the movie are like bait to modern reviewers it seems. But considering that the Exterminators' entire function was to kill and rape, including those aspects of Zed were important to his character. His savagery is what made such such a striking contrast and explosive element when introduced to the dull, detached, and sexless world of the Vortex. Having him be more civilized would have watered down the entire contrast of the two worlds. I fear a modern remake would really tone down that aspect of Zed as being too offensive and unlikable. Ironic that the 70s was actually edgier in some ways than modern sensibilities. Some of my favorite scenes were when May and the immortals were standing around and viewing his memories like he was some sort of animal. They considered him as such, yet all the while we was smarter and more capable than all of them - eidetic memory, mutant genius etc.
Clearly, I could go on and on about this film :) The notion of the Apathetics and the immortal's boredom their death-wish is worth an entire discussion in and of itself. What happens to the human mind when we truly live forever? What will that do to our society and our mental health, to say nothing of class, wealth and social stratification? Is an immortal society even capable of generating new creative thoughts and experiences? Could such things be faked, imitated, or artificially induced? These are subtle issues humanity will likely start to face in the coming century. Eliminating sickness and death is the immediate engineering hurdle.. but after that is done, the real questions start to bubble up. Perhaps it's too much to be condensed into a 2 hour action flick, but I gotta give Boorman credit for even attempting it.
Well anyway, great review, and I'm pleased you seem to be a fan of the film. I will be looking forward to future reviews, and I'll be going through your back catalogue as well. The 70s was such an amazing time for science fiction films - Andromeda Strain, Westworld, Logan's Run, Alien, Star Wars, Soylent Green, Solaris, Clockwork Orange, Close Encounters.. please Hollywood, a few less Marvel and Avatar movies, and a few more films like Oblivion and Moon would be greatly appreciated.
Subbed.
Wow! You're awesome! Thank you so much for your complements and your in depth comment! I love everything you had to say! I am speechless. BTW, love all of the films from the 70's you mentioned. I am hoping to get the chance to analyse them in the future. :)
That's the most incredibly longwinded way to say "what a load of shite"
Maybe you ought to read the comment again- he's actually giving high praise, with just a few ideas for improvement.
Brilliant. You said everything I wanted to say, so I don't have to say much of anything. It's a superb concept film, so weird and questioning of modern ideas. Many still frames are composed like paintings, with contrasting colors, red clothing against green blue trees and water. And that the leaders of Vortex 4 were women was so cool when I first watched. It's still disturbing and captivating even today.
Excellent analysis, especially about the strong female characters. Humanity achieving immortality is kind of like the dog finally catching the car: "what do I do now?"
Personally, I didn't find the romance between Consuella and Zed quite so problematic. Certainly, it could have been better developed and this would have made a more interesting film. But my impression, from early on, was that her hostility to Zed was the result of an attraction to him. She felt that Zed was a threat to her society. The only way she could prevent herself, and presumably others, from betraying the Vortex was by destroying him. The intensity of her attraction, combined with her loyalty to the principles of the Vortex, made it particularly clear to her the danger that Zed represented. The situation was only made all the more urgent when she realises the attraction is mutual. Her hostility to Zed reminds me of the kind of hostility sometimes exhibited by homosexuals, in denial of their homosexuality, against other homosexuals.
Ooh, I love your explanation! This makes me love this movie even more.
It also seems that Consuella and May had a relationship that Zed seemed to be intruding into.
The opening words from Zardoz are "unrepeatable"? Whaaaa?
Saw Zardoz in an art house when I was a kid back in the 70's. Even then it was understood to be a hot mess, but with intriguing ideas.
Like a lot of sci-fi films which ultimately failed to successfully execute their ideas.
Still, those ideas never stop being interesting, or relevant.
Best commentary I've come across. Nice job Retro Nerd Girl!
Wow, thanks! :)
*I love to see them running. I love the moments of their deaths - when I am one with Zardoz*
I saw Connery played the role as the Green Knight in Sword of the Valiant. The movie was okay but his brief role in the beginning was spectacular. Showing us that he is versatile and can play any role in any genre.
I'm glad you were able to enjoy it despite the issues you have with it.
The ideas, design, concepts and humor really make it a very unique and special SF film.
Well said!😊
A similar scene in Star Trek TOS 1967 episode, "The Apple" has the inhabitants are ruled by a computer inside the head of Vaal. And feeds him their harvest. Their, Garden of Eden so to speak.
A better review of Zardoz than any other I have read so far here on RUclips. Strange, isn't it? Here we are, reviewing a seemingly tacky movie that just doesn't seem to want to go away; so perhaps it is relevant to ask ourselves, why that is?
It is because the underpinning theme of the movie successfully addresses the continual and ever-present class warfare perpetrated in this oligarchic nightmare world of ours.
Zardoz beautifully illustrates this reality, which makes it a brilliant movie deserving of serious consideration. In its core, Zardoz is a sublime movie which continues to fascinate audiences, often times without their being able to understand or express why this is so. Why? Because it touches the subconscious. It is the rarest of movies, the kind that of art has maintained its relevance through the decades.
I remember seeing this movie on VHS tape because this was one of the few SCI-FI films that I could see at the theatre because there wasn't a theatre showing it within bicycle riding distance. When I finally found it on VHS at the local tape rental stores back in the early 90s, I rented it and took it home. I first surprise was learning that the director was John Boorman, who I remembered also directed "Excalibur" in 1981, which I had the fun pleasure of seeing in the theatre.
My second surprise was "What the heck am I watching?" almost directly from the beginning when you see the floating head with the crudely drawn on mustache and beard(?) monologuing about himself, who we learn is pretending to be a god who creates an army of savage killers.
As the movie goes on, the movie seems to become more and more of a drug induced nightmare of a future. Perhaps the epitome of the insanity is seeing Sean Connery sneaking around dressed as a bride. The thought of that still makes me laugh at the perhaps intentional (?) comedy of the situation. Still the movie presented many ideas that made me think, such as the idea of immortality leading to the lost of excitement that life has on a basic level when, even if not consciously acknowledged, can be taken away at any moment.
As always, enjoyed this look back on this movie from way back and look forward to your next review.
PS: Speaking of the movie "Excalibur", I hope you one day decide to do a Retro Nerd Girl Review of that movie. If you need a copy, do you have a way such as a Public Amazon Wish-List that people can donate movies if you don't already have it?
Good to see a more holistic and appreciative review that highlights the concepts and states how more investment and fine tuning of the script could have placed Zardoz in the Sci Fi canon. The impact of the giant head floating across the screen in 1974 had already created small cult status and inspired me in my teenage years to seek out this film before the days of VHS and it did feature in late night slots such as BBC2's Moviedrome hosted by Alex Cox in the early 90s with more revered arthouse features such as the original, uncut Solaris.. When released on video it became a 'go to' favourite to peel yet more layers off and enjoy the excellent photography not to mention the performances of its lead actors, particularly John Alderton who was not long released from the cheesy BBC 'comedy' My Wife Next Door when this was made! Perhaps its real legacy is the juxtaposition of what it is and what it could have been. A big thank you RNG for a respectful and honest review of a favourite guilty pleasure.
If still reading. I found the white hands which replicate those found in pre-man history.
A legend of movie history has left the world of man. And a lesser place remains for the rest of us...
20:36 - Where was this scene filmed? I know this sounds weird but I love to scroll around on Google Earth and find locations like this.
Edit: I found it with help from movie-locations.com. Most of the movie was shot in County Wicklow in The Republic of Ireland. The lake is called Lough Tay.
24:28 - Just like with the "romance" between 7 of 9 and Chakotay in Star Trek: Voyager. Way outta left field and seemingly forced in the final hours of the series run.
A great and insightful commentary.and your voice is wonderful and expressive it's very different than the monotonous or pseudo-intellectual one of these that I have heard. You are terrific!
Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words. 😊
If another actor was playing Zed it wouldn't been as memorable and luckily Sean Connery was cast to add credibility to it. This film was part of the Golden Age of sci fi from 1968 till 1976 Logan Run was the last film of its kind before Star Wars. I saw this film in the early 1980's on cable and although weird and bizarre I really enjoyed it. Love your RUclips videos. Very informative
Thank you! 😊
@@RetroNerdGirl You're welcome enjoy your shows on RUclips
RIP Sean Connery - 25 August 1930 - 31 October 2020. Off to that great big Vortex in the sky! Fare thee well, good Sir.
You have to go back as an 18 years old young spectator, on a meta hippy era when psychedelic movement has arised, else you cannot enjoy this film. Take in mind that living today this film seems meaningless, the fact that some scenes are missing in the later compilations, this effort is much more impossible to contribute t0 the message of the movie. Personally I do not know if John Boorman has created a masterpiece or a failure... The rest must deciphered from the individual spectators, according to their dogmas and axioms
This is the stuff! Saw this when I was 15-17 I dunno just loved it. Well done for the review you ain't no nerd just got taste which is lacking today. Cheers from UK x
Awesome review! Makes so much more sense now, thank you for that
I like to think that this movie, "Logan's Run" & "THX 1138" are all set at the same time & show how different parts of the world dealt with the problem of overpopulation. As for the big guy himself, Zardoz looks to me like a hairy version of the scowling robot in the Bela Lugosi serial "The Phantom Creeps".
I also thought about the idea of Logan's run being set in the same universe as zardoz. The "eternals" the immortal scientists invented immortality for space exploration. Freind tells zed he's been to space and found their human minds weren't up to the task. Basically saying the human brain does not have the capacity of figuring out the universe regardless of infinite life span for infinite time of research. So what i think happened was while they were in deep space collecting data all the things were happening on earth leading up to the events of Logan's run. And when they returned the world was in a disfunked state from lack of natural resources/war/pollution. So they fortified themselves in the vortex.
Great review, although actually I have yet to see the movie. I know, my bad. I have a suggestion for you for another review: Ken Russell's 'Tommy", 1975. I'm sure you could sink your teeth into that one!
would you care about a remake with a budget?
One of my favorite movies. Connery hated wearing the wedding dress. I still have a crush on Charlotte Rampling.
remember Zed had the audacity to become erect while gazing at Consuela. Friend even ribbed her about it "Consuela has done the trick herself"
Great review. Learned some things about this movie I did not know.
In Fallout 4 the companion mod IVY likes Zardoz. lol
Thanks for spelling this one out for me. That was one loopy hell ride.
Any time!😊
I'm sorry I don't mean to keep adding things but I thought it was hilarious when you said he offered to keep expenses down by
I just finally got around to seeing Zardoz! I’m gonna go listen to some Hawkwind now..
They don't make movies like this anymore.
I think this was beyond its time. A combination of Planet of the Apes / 2001: A Space Odyssey / They Live
Me too! BTW, those three movies are great. It's a coincidence you mentioned 2001 because I'll be reviewing it next week. :)
Great minds appreciate great movies!
This is the best take on Zardoz I've ever heard. You really get it.
You probably get recommendations all of the time, but I would be interested in your opinion of Silent Running: ruclips.net/video/gBWO6oJStZk/видео.html
This review deserves more watches. Excellent! Thank you!
Thank you! :)
@@RetroNerdGirl Your review was classy and nuanced and objective and I like that you had so many positive comments about it despite the oddities of the film. I always thought it was a pretty weirdly likable film, except for that weird last sequence. It was cleverly kept off the Saturday and Sunday movie cycle back in the three channel days of the 1970's and 80's (in TN where I grew up). Go figure! :) So, it was fun discovering it in the 90's as an adult when I first saw it. They cannot keep Zardoz hidden forever.. :)
PEOPLE OF THE PAST WOULD FIND US CONTEMPTIBLE AS WE FIND THE VORTEX
All that dedication Connery showed to the role looks like he was kind of desperate to get away from his Bond status and like be taken serious as a Actor at that point. Shame the movie never really worked well.
We had to watch this in my college film class. Bizarre. Good review. BTW you sound like the teen girl from Incredibles. :)
Why thank you! I can see how we sound similar. :D
One of my favorite movies. Yes its kitsch, clunky and some of the dialogue is unintentionally amusing, but it's a prescient movie, depicting how matriarchies end in sterility and apathy. At the time it received criticism for being sexist, but it's not sexist at all. It simply points out immutable facts about the incongruity that exists when humans find a peaceful utopia - they become bored and sterile. Boorman may have been inspired by a Huxley novel (didn't know that, thank you reviewer), but he also based his story on the mouse utopia experiments of the 60s. A fascinating movie and eerily prescient in some ways; 21st western culture isn't that far removed from the vortex in Zardoz.
Mouse utopia experiments in the 60's? I must look into that. Thanks so much for that info.
@@RetroNerdGirl Well worth investigating. There are some vids on you tube. Thanks for the excellent review!
I just watched it and had the same assessment. I felt it was an enjoyable mess of a movie. I would like to see it remade if given more focus and a better organized narrative.
Really good review. Thanks for posting this. It's certainly a memorable movie.
Thank you! :)
loved this movie for decades, it also has my favorite version of the 2nd movement from Beethoven 7th
Don't forget about Beethoven's 7th! That made the movie.
Zardoz was the god at the time and I liked the movie . So I am back for more.
Hey this was very satisfying I learned more abou this film than it just weird kinda sad to that Connery was struggling like that I never knew the Bond role was that overshadowing for him at that time.
Sad, but true. Thankfully, he got out of it eventually.
I just finished watching this movie, i found it to be incredible, focus on the messages
It stuck with me as a 11 year old. even today people uncomfortable watching after taking a few mushrooms an hour before the starting. Fantastic planet is another.
I've read several Aldous Huxley novels- I'll have to go back and read it again and then, watch ZARDOZ again (for the 3rd time)!
Come back and let me know if you have discovered anything I've overlooked. There are so many details to this truly fascinating film.
the end? Arthur comes back. He says, "'I have come for you." then..confronts ZED
YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS. I LOVE YOU, RETRO NERD GIRL. GO TO HE FIL, THE 300. WHEN THE CAPTAIN'S SON DIES HE GOES BERSERK. THERE IS ZARDOZ COME TO LIFE !
Thank you! I will try to do this.
i havnt seen this movie in years but it still remains one of the strangest trippiest movie i have ever seen ;p
Gee. The Webley is empty. Must be in England.
Great review! I haven't read the Huxley novel but Zardoz clearly also draws from Gulliver's Travels Part III.
I didn't think of that. Brilliant! :)
Great work, thanks !
( New sub as of right now)
Thank you! :)
I’m guessing the phrase that’s unrepeatable (and also, cringey and hilarious) would be... to use the terminology from Full Metal Jacket...
*THE RIFLE IS GOOD, THE GUN IS BAD!*
And yes, this is a film that defintiely addresses classism, probably quite an anti-captialist, cartailnly an anti-1% film. I doubt we’d see a modern remake of this film in this decade.
I’d love to see what you make of Logan’s Run (original 1970s film staring Michael York and Jenny Agutter) Lifeforce, Cherry 2000 and maybe the original (and best) Wicker Man (the one set in Scotland and played by Edward Woodward, not the one with Nicolas Cage)
I think Sean Connery chose the part of Z specifically to kill off his typecasting as James Bond.
One scene I remeber from Zardoz was when they played softcore pr0n to Z after some basic sex ed, none of which caused a twitch in Z... until Consuela looks at him angrily, *that* got Z going!
Arthur Freyn really should have been played by *BRIAN BLESSED* especially if it meant him being the voice of Zardoz!
But damn, both Sara Kestelman and Chrlotte Rampling were hot back then!
Zardoz . An incredibly symbolic film . Symbolic of a colossal pile shit !!!
The film was too intellectual for some to appreciate.
This movie is so bizarre, it's normal!
Ms Retro, this video is so well researched and considered - and very fair. Thank you for making it. I'm currently writing the official "Making of "ZARDOZ" book - I've set up a new Facebook page to tell people what I'm up to, and it's also for fans to leave their own opinions! It's at@t
Wonderful!😊
I loved the music
Wonderful review! This movie has been a guilty pleasure of mine for a while too. That opening scene with the drawn-on facial hair was a bad sign, and I almost lost all hope when Zed cheesily jumped into that mirror pyramid… but it really tried to do something special. Not sure it quite succeeded, but there was a lot of ambition there.
I ended up watching Lisztomania just because Sara Kestleman was in it. It’s… not as easy to recommend, but I’ve never seen a movie stretch real biographical facts into something so mind-blowingly insane. Not a movie for the sober.
one more thing, it seemed like it was a bit too personal of a project, so personal that you should have made it as a home is a whole movie with friends and watched it instead of spending all that money and time and trouble cuz it's like you said it's very watchable you want to see what happens but but as far as being meaningful, noI don't think so, it had its chance but it kind a blue the chance I mean it had its chance but it blew the chance and it made me blue well I got out of that pretty neat didn't I. No I don't think I did 😉
I did not know the _Exterminator_ masks were modeled after John Boorman's face.
That sounds like something you would hear about on a James Cameron film...🤭
Zardoz was just an acid-fueled disaster LOL Even John Boorman was left scratching his head trying to figure out what it was really about LOL
Sean Connery as Zed looks like Danny Trejo in a thong
Yes! Zardoz!!!!!
I really couldn’t disagree with you more about the opening of this film being silly, I personally think it’s the one of the more compelling openings to a film that I’ve seen and it’s a real grabber, an angry Godhead vomiting guns onto it’s disciples and telling them to go out and kill...Of course I don’t think the rest of the film actually lives up to the promise of the opening but I do like the film the more I see it over the years.
Say what you will but it was ahead of its time.
ZARDOZ!!!!!! ZARDOZ!!!!!!
This movie is about the D phase of the behavioral sink. It is so 2020.
Damn, your voice is addictive :)
Thank you! :)
One can review a past history. But one can never understand that time and mindset if one is an intellectually honest. The writers intentionally focused on what was hard for the people of the time to focus on.
It's honest. Seen through the Progressive woke culture of our time it won't be able to send the message of a time and place. Zeitgeist. Once again that fringe misses the richness of life.
At the time most of the message was lost. It was one of the first treatments of toxic masculinity. Feminism has become very quaint these days, real men & woman roles have become twisted by a fringe, pretending why the majority of all identities dance and love their dance are the unhealthy ones.
Now it's widely seen through a lens of people who were not there at the time. So the message is still mostly lost.
a Gordian knot
The head was some kind of spaceship? Uh...
Yeah, it's so weird.
Joe Rich no. The Floating head was a combination transport and mobile temple/effigy of the god Zardoz. Arthur needed it to transport weapons and, as Zardoz, sermons to the Exterminators all over the world. He also used it as a lab for his breeding experiments, away from the eyes of other Immortals. It was the older Renegade Immortals that ventured into space, only to return back to Earth/the Vortices. This happened well before the story depicted in Zardoz. So no, the head is not a spaceship. The vast openings in the head should have warned you about that idea.
Bowman Stringer I realize all of that. I was asking why they claimed that it was a spaceship in the video.
@@joerich1629 I couldn't tell that from your comment. The only mention of "space" is at the 7:30 minute mark. I may have missed it otherwise.
You misunderstood this movie, that’s why some of the scenes don’t make sense to you. I appreciate the effort though, but there’s so much more in this movie. after you scratch the surface, then a lot of scenes start to make more sense
Who else decided to check out this movie because of Rick and Morty?
Just once I'd like to see someone write about immortality being awesome. I'm sick and tired of the whole "immortality leads to a meaningless life" crap. And who says not having children would lead to less sex? Seems to me it would lead to more sex since you can have all you want without having some crotch goblins ruining your life.
I totally agree with you! 😊
Good review, I never watched the filem,
I hope you get to watch it. It's a trip!😀
Keep expenses down by among other things driving himself to the studio to film. Oh my God, the poor guy, giving up a personal driver! After seeing the overhang on that loincloth I'm thinking you should have walked to the studio! Nyuknyuknyuk! That's what you call a real trooper, somebody's willing to drive a car for what 15 minutes or something, and then Wonder of wonders, drive home again, somebody else's home of course where he doesn't have to really do anything to upkeep it. Diehards like that are only one or two to a generation. 😜
Nerd Girlzz,,will not accept ZARDOZ.
Be a good girl.
WE are eternal.
Use the grease,,be rooster.
I ,,am,,,Zadoz.
The Man behind,a curtain.
do not look,do not pull,,or you will see.
I've always felt Sean Connery is an overrated actor, as a Scott myself I realise how treacherous that's sounds. His inability to change his accent can be immersion breaking at times and ruin the feeling of the movie. The Hunt for Red October is a prime example.
Können Sie empfehlen Medikamente für Furz und Durchfall? Ich Furz wie eine große Trompete. Vollen Klang, wie ein Kaiser Furz. Mein Durchfall fließt wie ein Fluss.
Where's that option to make RUclips videos go 1.5x faster?
I never thought I needed it until now
lol! on the lower right corner under settings.
Dam u sound like ur pinching ur nose the whole time but very good vid an I killed it with this one keep doing u
Excellent, very nice review just a suggestion.... can you speak a bit faster please? And the background music … uuuh… for half an hour?
Talk faster; life is short.
Sorry, I can't talk faster, but you can speed up the video. Just go to settings on the video player and choose the speed.
Retro Nerd Girl Movie Reviews you are talking clearly, naturally, conversationally and endearingly. Jess can maybe pay better attention. Excellent review, by the way
Nice review and thanks for posting it. Now i'll tell you what i thought of it. For me this is NOT the best movie ever made YET i have always had a soft spot for it because it was bold enough to take chances, and was shot so beautifully. To watch this you must treat yourself to a full widescreen presentation or it doesn't work. I just feel that so many films since the 80's do not take chances and are thoroughly un-creative, whereas ZARDOZ, on very little money, made the most of every cent even if it didn't always achieve what could have been a much higher benchmark. Thanks for reading.
Well said! My respect for the film grows every time I see it.😊
@RetroNerdGirl >>> 👍👍