20 replies to this topic

[The Dove]

I found the trailer on Youtube for this rather bizzare film that Connery made after he finished playing Bond. It looks awful!! LOL Has anyone here seen it? and is it really as bad as I think it is? LOL I tell ya with that hairstyle, Sean reminds me of Kahn Noonian Singh from the Star Trek episode, Space Seed (just minus the mustache!! LOL) The less said about his costume, the better!!

Here's the link to the trailer..

[Tarl_Cabot]

I saw Zardoz around '91 or '92. It's a sci fi film that's really an art film with some interesting ideas, much like an episode of classic Star Trek. It's worth a look; it may be astheticly cheesy but give it a chance.It's also a pro-masculine rebuttal of extreme feminism. Connery represents the macho grande man whom certain feminists decided needed to be nuetered to become more compliant, less threatening...but the we find out the leading lady is attracted to him for his testosterone-ness and not the appeasing unics she's stuck with.It would be a good humanities class assignment to write an essay about it...and it's directed by John Boorman to boot.

[Qwerty]

Nope and not really planning on it.

[mccartney007]

It's terrible in an awesome sort of way. I saw it on the big screen at a midnight showing a few weeks ago and it was a lot of fun.

[The Dove]

Hmmm thanks for the comments.. I'm getting tempted to add this film to my Netflix queue!! I'm also interested in seeing The Offence, but I've read on Wikipedia that that movie was so bad, it may have been part of the reason Sean never did his 2nd guaranteed movie with United Artists, as part of the Diamonds Are Forever deal...well also due to the fact that Roman Polanski put out his version of MacBeth and beat out Connery..

[dinovelvet]

Hmmm thanks for the comments.. I'm getting tempted to add this film to my Netflix queue!! I'm also interested in seeing The Offence, but I've read on Wikipedia that that movie was so bad, it may have been part of the reason Sean never did his 2nd guaranteed movie with United Artists, as part of the Diamonds Are Forever deal...well also due to the fact that Roman Polanski put out his version of MacBeth and beat out Connery..

I took Offence at that wikipedia claim about The Offence, so I looked up that entry...and nowhere does it say anything about the film being bad. Because it ain't. There is a reference to it being a commercial failure. Wow! Who knew that a grim film about child molestation wouldn't do as well as DAF at the box office? You should check it out, its one of Connery's best performances. I also recommend The Anderson Tapes, which although a bit campy/dated today, is still a good heist flick.

[ACE]

The Offence is a brilliant psychological drama. It contains Connery's most complex, uncompromising and truthful characterization. It is basically a two-handed, filmed play with Ian Bannen giving a chilling performance. Director Sidney Lumet finds the dark side of Twelve Angry Men. If you like movies like that and Glengarry Glen Ross and Swimming With Sharks, this is for you.

Zardoz is a visually eccentric, under budgeted, honourable failure - typical of when John Boorman misfires.

I urge people to watch The Offence.

[Tarl_Cabot]

The Offence is a brilliant psychological drama. It contains Connery's most complex and truthful characterization. It is basically a two-handed, filmed play with Ian Bannen giving a chilling performance. Director Sidney Lumet finds the dark side of Twelve Angry Men. If you like movies like that and Glengarry Glen Ross and Swimming With Sharks, this is for you.

Zardoz is a visually eccentric, under budgeted, honourable failure - typical of when John Boorman misfires.

Well said. I feel that way about 1984's Dune and I liked Dune alot more after repeat viewings.

[ACE]

The Offence is a brilliant psychological drama. It contains Connery's most complex and truthful characterization. It is basically a two-handed, filmed play with Ian Bannen giving a chilling performance. Director Sidney Lumet finds the dark side of Twelve Angry Men. If you like movies like that and Glengarry Glen Ross and Swimming With Sharks, this is for you.

Zardoz is a visually eccentric, under budgeted, honourable failure - typical of when John Boorman misfires.

Well said. I feel that way about 1984's Dune and I liked Dune alot more after repeat viewings.

Yeah, I've got a real problem with these movie review books or lists. They are so reductive and subjective. Those same books stated for years that OHMSS was crap. Now, they change their minds. These books give no elbow room to some very good films based on merely their reputation and the, er, "critical consensus" (spits!). Hell, but I like some very heavily criticised films and do not like some critically lauded films. Go figure!

[The Dove]

Hmmm thanks for the comments.. I'm getting tempted to add this film to my Netflix queue!! I'm also interested in seeing The Offence, but I've read on Wikipedia that that movie was so bad, it may have been part of the reason Sean never did his 2nd guaranteed movie with United Artists, as part of the Diamonds Are Forever deal...well also due to the fact that Roman Polanski put out his version of MacBeth and beat out Connery..

I took Offence at that wikipedia claim about The Offence, so I looked up that entry...and nowhere does it say anything about the film being bad. Because it ain't. There is a reference to it being a commercial failure. Wow! Who knew that a grim film about child molestation wouldn't do as well as DAF at the box office? You should check it out, its one of Connery's best performances. I also recommend The Anderson Tapes, which although a bit campy/dated today, is still a good heist flick.

Ahh yes that was it.. I guess i read into it being a commercial failure too much.. Yes I do want to see The Offence..

[Blofeld's Cat]

Have not seen Zardoz yet, but plan to buy the DVD only for the Boorman commentary track.

[DR76]

Mind you, I haven't seen ZARDOZ since I was a kid, so perhaps my judgment isn't the best. But I do remember my reaction to it and it wasn't favorable.

[Safari Suit]

I liked Zardoz, yes it is a bit silly and pretentious, but it's certainly not boring, and it's a momento of a time when science fiction wasn't afraid to be original or explore strange new concepts. And parts of it are very memorable.

[dodge]

Hmmm thanks for the comments.. I'm getting tempted to add this film to my Netflix queue!! I'm also interested in seeing The Offence, but I've read on Wikipedia that that movie was so bad, it may have been part of the reason Sean never did his 2nd guaranteed movie with United Artists, as part of the Diamonds Are Forever deal...well also due to the fact that Roman Polanski put out his version of MacBeth and beat out Connery..

I took Offence at that wikipedia claim about The Offence, so I looked up that entry...and nowhere does it say anything about the film being bad. Because it ain't. There is a reference to it being a commercial failure. Wow! Who knew that a grim film about child molestation wouldn't do as well as DAF at the box office? You should check it out, its one of Connery's best performances. I also recommend The Anderson Tapes, which although a bit campy/dated today, is still a good heist flick.

I too admire TAT. But Sir Sean should have learned too big lessons: crowds didn't want to see their Bond with a largely naked dome. And they didn't want to see their hero snuffed out at the end. Two rrrrrrrrotten Con Errors...strrrrrictly strrrrrrategically speaking.

[DavidSomerset]

Zardoz is a real trippy movie with a lot of trippy dialogue in it. Th best part is Sean in red undies and when he is dressed like a bride. I can see Brozza doing a remake of this soon - the way he is now singing Mamma Mia! A real funny movie. Dont buy and see though.

[Bormoglot]

[Chula]

"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water."
"In space no one can hear you scream."
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."
Those are among the all-time top taglines in film history and the famous tagline from ZARDOZ is also among them:
"I have seen the future...and it doesn't work."
Absolutely brilliant line. Too bad the film never lived up to such genius.

YES to:
THE OFFENCE - a bit stagey, but good
THE ANDERSON TAPES - absolutely brilliant film from one of cinema's true legends Sidney Lumet.
and also check out...

THE MOLLY MAGUIRES - clearly Connery's most overlooked great one. Connery has two scenes where he delivers a sort of speech that are as riveting as anything Brando has done. They do not make films like this one anymore. Character driven, dialogue driven, conflict driven...no cars driven off of flaming rooftops in this one. Just great drama. One of the best films ever made.

[Mr. Blofeld]

When a film you want to watch features the belief that penises are evil, Sean Connery running around Ireland in a giant red diaper, and a villain who wears a goofy hat and a Sharpied-on mustache, you know it's not going to be a good one; unfortunately Zardoz is that film.

Here's an Agony Booth recap:

http://www.agonyboot...ardoz_1974.aspx

Enjoy.

[Safari Suit]

Frankly, any movie is more entertaining than an Agony Booth review!

[Bondian]

When a film you want to watch features the belief that penises are evil

Hasn't Bond's penis got him into trouble on numerous occasions.

Although this film does seem to make him a little more 'cock-sure' and to the point.

[RazorBlade]

Okay, I've always wanted to see this film and now you've all got me to wantin' to.