ZARDOZ (1974) – Episode 245 – Decades of Horror 1970s

“The penis is evil!!” No argument here. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Jeff Mohr, and guest Gregory Crosby – as they try to decipher the complex social structure, not to mention the entire story, depicted in John Boorman’s Zardoz (1974). And what the heck is Sean Connery wearing?

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 245 – Zardoz (1974)

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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

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.

• Writer/Director: John Boorman
• Selected Cast:
  • Sean Connery as Zed
  • Charlotte Rampling as Consuella
  • Sara Kestelman as May
  • John Alderton as Friend
  • Sally Anne Newton as Avalow
  • Niall Buggy as Arthur Frayn/Zardoz
  • Bosco Hogan as George Saden
  • Jessica Swift as Apathetic
  • Bairbre Dowling as Star
  • Christopher Casson as Old Scientist
  • Reginald Jarman as Death (voice)
  • Daisy Boorman as Young Eternal (Flashback Scene) (uncredited)
  • John Boorman as Farming Brutal Shot by Zed/Zardoz Mask and Head Model(uncredited)
  • Katrine Boorman as Young Eternal (Flashback Scene) (uncredited)
  • Telsche Boorman as Young Eternal (Flashback Scene) (uncredited)
  • David de Keyser as Tabernacle (voice) (uncredited)

Bill chose Zardoz (1974) for this episode, and Gregory Crosby joined the ’70s Grue-Crew to add his insights to this drug-fueled vision from writer and director John Boorman. Sean Connery (sporting the latest in ‘70s science fiction apparel) and Charlotte Rampling lead the cast in this almost undecipherable depiction of a society in 2293 populated by Brutals, Eternals, Renegades, and Apathetics. Included in the perplexing story are some genuinely interesting ideas (a hallmark of good science fiction) centered on the possible behaviors of a community of immortals. In the case of Zardoz, the filmmakers’ reach might have exceeded their grasp, but you be the judge. The Grue-Crew do agree that Zardoz is a must-watch for fans of ‘70s science fiction!

At the time of this writing, Zardoz (1974) is available to stream from Prime and several PPV options.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next ‘70s episode, chosen by Jeff, will be Slave of the Cannibal God (1974), directed by Sergio Martino, and starring Ursula Andress and Stacey Keach. If it’s summer, it must be time for a cannibal flick?

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