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Zardoz

  • 1974
  • R
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
26K
YOUR RATING
Sean Connery in Zardoz (1974)
Watch Trailer
Play trailer3:00
1 Video
99+ Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiAdventureFantasySci-Fi

In the late 23rd century, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements.In the late 23rd century, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements.In the late 23rd century, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements.

  • Director
    • John Boorman
  • Writer
    • John Boorman
  • Stars
    • Sean Connery
    • Charlotte Rampling
    • Sara Kestelman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    26K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Boorman
    • Writer
      • John Boorman
    • Stars
      • Sean Connery
      • Charlotte Rampling
      • Sara Kestelman
    • 256User reviews
    • 108Critic reviews
    • 46Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 3:00
    Trailer

    Photos110

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    + 102
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    Top cast16

    Edit
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • Zed
    Charlotte Rampling
    Charlotte Rampling
    • Consuella
    Sara Kestelman
    Sara Kestelman
    • May
    John Alderton
    John Alderton
    • Friend
    Sally Anne Newton
    • Avalow
    Niall Buggy
    • Arthur Frayn…
    Bosco Hogan
    Bosco Hogan
    • George Saden
    Jessica Swift
    • Apathetic
    Bairbre Dowling
    • Star
    Christopher Casson
    • Old Scientist
    Reginald Jarman
    • Death
    • (voice)
    Daisy Boorman
    • Young Eternal (Flashback Scene)
    • (uncredited)
    John Boorman
    John Boorman
    • Farming Brutal Shot by Zed
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    Katrine Boorman
    Katrine Boorman
    • Young Eternal (Flashback Scene)
    • (uncredited)
    Telsche Boorman
    • Young Eternal (Flashback Scene)
    • (uncredited)
    David de Keyser
    David de Keyser
    • Tabernacle
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Boorman
    • Writer
      • John Boorman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The opening sequence is an introduction added by Sir John Boorman, at the request of Twentieth Century Fox executives, to help the audience understand this movie.
    • Goofs
      Early in the film, when the weapons are spewed out of the floating head's mouth, several crew-members' arms and a face, can be seen throwing them.
    • Quotes

      [the gigantic Stone Head hovers before the worshipful horde of Exterminators]

      Zardoz: Zardoz speaks to you, His chosen ones.

      Exterminators: We are the chosen ones!

      Zardoz: You have been raised up from Brutality, to kill the Brutals who multiply, and are legion. To this end, Zardoz your God gave you the gift of the Gun. The Gun is good!

      Exterminators: The Gun is good!

      Zardoz: The Penis is evil! The Penis shoots Seeds, and makes new Life to poison the Earth with a plague of men, as once it was. But the Gun shoots Death and purifies the Earth of the filth of Brutals. Go forth, and kill! Zardoz has spoken.

    • Alternate versions
      The pre-credits sequence featuring Arthur Frayn's disembodied head was added by director John Boorman after the movie was released, as an attempt to explain the plot to audiences that found it hard to understand. Boorman would later declare that the scene didn't work as he wanted it to.
      • The Spanish (Spain) released version cut part of the "boner" scene (the breasts-rugging and mud wrestlers on-screen). Later prints and current DVD and video releases are uncut.
    • Connections
      Featured in To the Galaxy and Beyond with Mark Hamill (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Symphony No. 7 Op. 92 II. Allegretto
      Written by Ludwig van Beethoven (as Beethoven)

      Played by the Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)

      Conducted by Eugen Jochum

    User reviews256

    Featured review

    Brilliant

    There seem to be a lot of people who didn't like this film. I loved it. It is a film for people who aren't perturbed by a lack of surface glitz in science fiction, and can take on the underlying meanings about immortality or the fear of death that other films rarely raise. Some of it doesn't make sense, but only if you are not paying attention. In my view, it gets straight to the point without any polish, which some people are uncomfortable about in any artform. It is not made for Star Trek fans. It is a bleak and powerful story about a cabal of ineffectual immortals who play God to an inferior but more vigourous race, and who long for death yet cannot die. They stealthily invite one of these inferiors (Connery) into their midst to solve their problems. The final scenes are extremely striking, and are set to the 2nd movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony. **You just don't hear this symphony enough in the movies***. I recommend this film to anyone who likes science fiction with a small sf.
    • craigdubya
    • Sep 1, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is Zardoz?Powered by Alexa
    • Where does the Zardoz head get all the guns it provides to the Exterminators from?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 6, 1974 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • Swedish
      • Latin
      • German
      • French
      • Irish Gaelic
    • Also known as
      • Zardos
    • Filming locations
      • Brennanstown Riding School, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland(The Vortex)
    • Production companies
      • John Boorman Productions
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,570,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,227
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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