A gloriously bad 70s action sci-fi movie with philosophical themes.

The film is set in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future where mankind is divided into two groups: the Brutals, who struggle to survive in a Hobbesian world of violence and oppression, and the Eternals, an elite group in possession of all of mankind's past knowledge, who have achieved immortality but are sinking into boredom and apathy. One man, a Brutal named Zed, sets out to find the truth about the Eternals and challenge the status quo.

The movie is ultimately a meditation on the importance of death as a defining element of the human condition. However, any serious examination of this topic is severely undercut by the atrociously bad dialogue, cheesy low-budget effects, gratuitous sex and nudity, and overall weirdness of the film's atmosphere. Taken as a "serious" film, Zardoz is a muddled, pretentious, self-indulgent mess. Yet despite its flaws, the imaginative setting and imagery, interesting story, and overall campy charm make this a memorable and, for me at least, highly enjoyable movie.

In conclusion, if you want satisfying sci-fi action or deep philosophical insight, look elsewhere, because this movie fails to deliver on either front. On the other hand, if you want to sit back, relax, and watch Sean Connery prancing around in red underpants while a floating head intones "The gun is good! The penis is evil!" — you might want to check this one out. ( )

Ummmm, it's bad. But then you get to see Sean run about in this itty bitty leather outfit, so it does draw your attention now and then. ( )