Zardoz Unleashed
Get ready to explore a post-apocalyptic world where a savage named Zed challenges the status quo of immortal beings. Director John Boorman's 1974 film is a thought-provoking exploration of humanity and mortality.
Dir: John Boorman
Cast: Sean Connery, Charlotte Rampling, Sara Kestelman, John Alderton, Sally Anne Newton, Niall Buggy, Bosco Hogan, Jessica Swift
106 mins · 1974 · United Kingdom · Cert 15 · English
IMDb 5.8/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 49% · Metacritic 46/100 · TMDB 5.9/10 · Trakt 60%
Awards: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award. 2 nominations total
Bar Trash Presents: Zardoz
4 Nov 2026 – 30 Nov 2026
Duke of York's Picturehouse (Brighton)
John Boorman, known for his work on Deliverance, brings his unique vision to the 1974 film Zardoz, starring Sean Connery as Zed, a savage who infiltrates a mysterious place called the Vortex. The Vortex is home to a group of immortal beings who have created a utopian society, free from disease, poverty, and conflict. As Zed learns more about the Vortex and its inhabitants, he begins to question the nature of their existence and the secrets they keep.
The film is a science fantasy adventure that explores themes of immortality, free will, and the human condition. With a runtime of 106 minutes, Zardoz is a UK and USA production, certified 15, and features a talented cast, including Charlotte Rampling and Sara Kestelman. The film's genres include fantasy, action, thriller, and science fiction, making it a captivating watch for fans of these genres.
Zardoz has received mixed reviews from critics, with scores ranging from 46/100 on Metacritic to 60% on Trakt. Despite this, the film has developed a cult following over the years, with many praising its unique visuals, cinematography, and score. Some critics have noted that the film's script lacks coherence, while others have praised its ambition and thought-provoking themes.
Viewers have also shared their thoughts on the film, with some finding it to be a bizarre and perplexing watch, while others have praised its engaging story and unique visuals. Some have noted that the film's visuals and costumes have not aged well, while others have appreciated its retro charm.
The film will be screened at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Tickets are on sale with the button beside the article. This is a rare opportunity to see Zardoz on the big screen, and fans of science fiction and fantasy should not miss it. With its thought-provoking themes and unique visuals, Zardoz is a film that will leave viewers talking long after the credits roll.
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What viewers say
siggi963 · 7/10
One of the weirdest movies ever! It is complete crap, stupid, deep and interesting at the same time. And that is what makes it a cult movie. One line at the beginning of the movie kinda summarises it: “The gun is good and the penis is evil”… for real! In fact, the underlying story is about humanity and claims that humans could not live forever as they would get bored to the point of wanting to die. They would also need other humans to exploit In…
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j13u11fr09 · 6/10
Watched with the guys... I've wanted to see this classic for awhile now, though I think I might need to give it another watch to give it a "final" rating. I feel like the movie demands a full attention while we had a lot of talking (and laughing) over the movie... There's a lot going on here. Right from the get go you realize this is going to be some kind of "grand allegory" type trip. It didn't disappoint on that front, though the intro /…
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Wyn Sheppard · 6/10
What a bizarre movie. A cross between science fiction and folk horror with Sean Connery in a mankini. Not 100% sure I loved it but it was absorbing and had some interesting visuals. Actually one of Boorman's better films. I often find his movies are lame. But this one is certainly unique. Check it out!
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AsgardStudios · 7/10
Trippy, but a decent story. I was surprised how engaging the film was. The 70’s produced some really weird movies, but also excellent entertainment.
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RexMaximvs
Actually you can watch the full movie free here: https://archive.org/details/zardoz-1974
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BoboTheClown
One of the most perplexingly awful films I've ever seen, how this was even made in the first place is a mystery in and of itself. Multiple people looked at this script during production and said "aye sure, we'll make that" But you know what? I'm glad they did. it's so terrible it'll haunt you.
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rickay · 6/10
I love Sean Connery but this movie hasn’t aged well. Still worth a peek.
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Buck Flower Sings · 5/10
Misunderstood brutal stumbles upon a world much higher in power than hes ever known. Also, lots of Sean Connery in tight red shorts. It's not a bad movie per se, but it tries way too hard to achieve what it wants, and just falls flat
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