I love Zardoz. I will always love Zardoz. Who's with me?

[scarletwoman]

I saw it in the theater when it was first released. I was quite stoned, of course, because that's we did when we went to movies in those days. But even all these years later, and perfectly stone cold sober, I still love it.

Several years ago, while wandering around on the intertubes, I came across some website (the name totally escapes me) whose main premise was to mock Zardoz. It was funnier than hell, and I didn't mind at all - because nothing and no one will ever be able to destroy my memory of the transcendent experience and deep inner joy I experienced when I first saw this movie.

In fact, posting this makes me feel like firing up the ol' DVD player for another go at one of my all time favorites -ZARDOZ!!!

[Aristus]

1. I'm familiar with the mockery, and the 'Sean-Connery-in-a-diaper' take-downs.

But I actually found the film compelling.

I've always admired John Boorman's films. This one answered, or at least bothered to ask, the question: 'What would immortality be like?'

[scarletwoman]

2. Thank you! I was afraid no one else had ever seen it!

I get the mockery - I saw it with a group of friends when it when it was first released, and of course we were all quite stoned. And I tend to think that if you weren't part of those times, there's a lot of the zeitgeist behind that movie that you just wouldn't get.

For me, Sean Connery in that loin cloth, with his long pony tail, was the first time I ever thought of him as sexy. I'd seen his James Bond movies, but felt neither shaken or stirred. In Zardoz he had my bosom heaving.

And yes, on an intellectual level it was a fantastic exercise in contemplating the implications of immortality - the boredom, the eventual apathy and the destruction of compassion.

And those final scenes with Beethoven's 7th playing in the soundtrack - it still gives me the chills to this day.

Edited to add: I'm also an admirer if John Boorman. Excalibur is one of my other favorite movies of all time.

[Aristus]

3. I saw your post earlier in the day, but wasn't able to reply,

Because I was at work.

My first viewing of the film was when I was a teenager. There was a small local TV station (since 1987 the local Fox affiliate, ugh) that would play obscure old films late at night on the weekends, usually uncut. I saw a lot of classic and cult films that way.

I knew of it beforehand, having read about it in a classic science-fiction film book I had read.

It was a memorable viewing experience...

[scarletwoman]

5. "...memorable viewing experience", indeed!

I'm sure it helped that you knew of it beforehand.

I really appreciate having this conversation with you. I've tried to turn my friends and family on to Zardoz over the years, but mostly they all think I'm nuts - especially my kids.

[Aristus]

6. I like obscure or unusual movies.

I'll be on the lookout for your posts...

[scarletwoman]

8. Thank you! I'm pretty much into obscure movies, it seems.

I have a hard time in RL finding people who've seen the same movies I've seen. My hope is that, in this new group, I might find some like-minded movie fans.

[Aristus]

9. Excalibur is the film that got me interested in Wagnerian opera.

Despite (or maybe because of) the very un-English, gothic, Germanic trappings of the film, this is one of my favorite renditions of the Arthur legend. Nothing else since has even come close.

Even today, I'm transported by the lush, green Irish scenery, the shining armor, Helen Mirren(!), that stunning sunset finale, and the opening and closing portrayals of the Lady of the Lake.

Whenever I hear 'Siegfried's Funeral March' out of the context of the opera, the first thing I think of is 'Excaliber'.

[scarletwoman]

10. OMG - Helen Mirren - YES!

Are you familiar with the back story about Mirren and Nicol Willianson (Merlin) being very, very antipathetical to each other at the time? Fascinating how they all (Boorman, Mirren, Williamson) managed it.

And yes, that lush Irish scenery - Boorman filmed most of it in the area where he lived.

The actor who portrayed Arthur was amazing, imho.

Anyway, it's one of the DVDs I play over and over, it's just so beautiful! I love the use of Carmina Burana, too.

[Aristus]

11. As I understand it, Mirren and Williamson couldn't stand each other at the time.

Boorman used that to his, and the film's, advantage.

I thought Nigel Terry, as Arthur, was a little wooden in the earlier scenes. But he did well as an older, weary Arthur. And his love for Merlin shows through bright enough for Merlin to remark "Your love brought me back..." after he is released from the Crystal Cave.

[scarletwoman]

12. Yes, Mirren and Williamson - no love lost there. Boorman pulled it off very well.

I can see what you mean about Nigel Terry, but I actually loved him right away. I thought he did an amazing job going from naive youth to weary, cuckolded king.

One of my favorite early scenes is when Guinevere is stitching him up, I thought he played it so sweetly.

[Aristus]

13. That was well done.

I also thought the actor who played Sir Ector did well; slightly confused and befuddled by the sudden revelation of who Arthur really is, but firm and loving, as well.

I remember thinking what a coincidence that he sounded exactly like the voice actor who portrayed Sir Ector in Disney's "The Sword In The Stone."

[scarletwoman]

14. I never saw Disney's "Sword in the Stone", but I agree with you about the actor playing Sir Ector.

And what fun to see Patrick Stewart as Leondegrance and Liam Neeson as Gawaine!

(edited for misspelling)

[valerief]

4. I remember when watching it that I thought it was weird but still entertaining.

Don't remember much else about it.

[scarletwoman]

7. Well, being a fanatic, I would say you've GOT to watch it again!

But, yeah, it's a really, really weird movie. I just think it's one of the most wonderfully weird movies ever made.

It's really fun to listen to the director's commentary on the DVD. He was just NOT afraid to go waaaaaaaaaaaaay out there.

[johnp3907]

15. I saw this on lte night TV in the seventies.

I was too young to understand it back then. I'll have to watch it again.

[OmahaBlueDog]

16. Hey. If you're awake, Zardoz is on tonight on TCM. 2 AM Eastern

1 AM Central

[scarletwoman]

17. Thank you. It's sweet of you to think of me. However, I don't have TV.

No matter. I DO own the DVD, so I can watch it any time I want.

[OmahaBlueDog]

18. So maybe some ore people see it and can discuss it with you.

...anyway, I had to mention it.

[scarletwoman]

19. Good point - I thought of that after I posted...

But then I got phone call and kinda got distracted.

Anyway, sure! If anyone watches it and wants to discuss it, I'm certainly game.

I won't be up that late tonight, though, but I'll certainly check in tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[hunter]

20. I've recently subscribed to this forum. I'm with you.

Action/Adventure/Space Opera Science Fiction is fun, but I like best the odd movies. The future is strange territory, it's not "now" with space ships and flying cars.

Brazil is one of my favorite movies, and the future we are actually living in now is a lot more like that than the horrible adaptation of 1984.

[scarletwoman]

21. I regret that I only saw Brazil once, and sadly, I remember very little about it.

I think I must have been quite stoned when I saw it. I need to watch it again sometime.

In any case, I'm delighted to meet someone else who's seen Zardoz! It is most definitely an "odd" movie.

[shenmue]

22. I saw it on Netflix

I loved it.

[scarletwoman]

23. Cool!

[flying rabbit]

24. Haven't seen it

I will based on your rec. As far as cult classics- check out "Battle beyond the stars". The "Magnificent seven" in space!

[MrScorpio]

25. I have the DVD

Love!

[scarletwoman]

27. Cool! It tickles me that you love Zardoz.

I'm quite delighted to know this about you.

[intaglio]

26. Careful! or Hollywood might decide to do a remake

and who would you prefer as Zed? Jason Statham, Vin "I am Groot" Diesel or Russell Crowe.

[scarletwoman]

28. Remake? No way.

John Boorman, the director of Zardoz, also wrote it. I can't imagine him granting the rights to the story to someone else.