Search - Zardoz on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1973 DVD Release: 03/27/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 46 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Members Wishing: 10 Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fantasy Adventure, Psychological Sci-Fi

A resident of 23rd-century Earth becomes involved in a revolution after discovering the hidden truth about society's rulers in director John Boorman's sci-fi drama. Sean Connery plays Zed, the central rebel, who begins the film as a member of the Exterminators, a band of skilled assassins who exact a reign of terror over the lesser Brutals. The Exterminators answer only to their god, a gigantic stone image known as Zardoz. Haunted by doubt about Zardoz's true divinity, Zed chooses to investigate. His disbelief is confirmed when the god proves to be a fraudulent tool of the Eternals, a secret society of brilliant immortals who pretend to divinity in order to exploit the masses. Knowing the truth, Zed sets out to reveal the hoax and destroy the Eternals' unjust rule. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

Sean Connery - Zed
Charlotte Rampling - Consuella
Sara Kestelman - May
John Alderton - Friend
Sally Anne Newton - Avalow

Director John Boorman (Deliverance, Point Blank, Hope and Glory) examines his own Shangri-La in this highly unusual cult film. The disc presents it in widescreen anamorphic (aspect ratio of 2.35:1) with audio choices of English in Dolby Digital 3.0 and French in Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono. Unfortunately, for some scenes a slight tunneling effect can be heard. There are subtitles in English and Spanish. The film was shot by cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth (Cabaret, 2001: A Space Odyssey), who perfected a technique that was intentionally soft; thus the images shouldn't be confused with the traits of a faulty digital transfer. That said, the transfer isn't perfect by any means, but it is quite presentable. One of the special features of the disc is a screen-specific audio commentary by the director. Though there are many pauses and it is not truly "screen-specific," Boorman does offer many insights, including the admission that perhaps the film suffers from having too many ideas. Also included is a theatrical trailer of the film, as well as trailers for Alien Nation, Aliens, Enemy Mine, Independence Day, and The Abyss. A "Still Gallery" has nine production photos and concept art pieces, ten lobby cards and publicity photos, and five images of one sheets and press books. The disc is rounded off by six radio spots. All in all, this is a solid presentation of this science fiction oddity. ~ A.R. Ferguson, All Movie Guide