Zardoz Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Zardoz" benefits significantly from a new 4k film scan, effectively offering an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Geoffrey Unsworth's cinematography, characterized by its hazy and mist-strewn visuals, shines through this high-definition upgrade, clearly improving upon previous standard-definition releases. Though the film inherently exhibits a certain softness due to its stylistic choices, these upgrades present greater precision in the imagery. Textures, particularly in costumes and the iconic craggy surface of Zardoz, are markedly enhanced. Additionally, while colors remain subdued and sometimes flesh tones appear ruddy-pink, the overall image depth and the natural grain resolution, even in the mistiest of scenes, underscore the upgrade’s merit.

Fox's efforts do justice to Boorman's visionary but budget-constrained epic, providing a visual experience superior to the original theatrical prints for home video audiences. While the opening half of the film may seem overly grainy and dull—amplified by Unsworth's use of diffusion filters and on-set generated effects to avoid optical composites—the latter part improves notably in brightness and detail. Although some modern viewers might still find these visuals dated, there is a striking mix of grandiose widescreen images and '70s era stylistic elements. The intrinsic charm of Boorman’s in-camera effects emerges vividly, reiterating that this Blu-ray edition is an exceptional rendition of "Zardoz."

The audio presentation of "Zardoz" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag of technical achievement and limitations, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mix that is actually encoded in a 5.1 format. However, this distinction comes with caveats, as the bulk of the activity is confined to the front and center channels, while the surrounds are virtually silent. Despite not matching today's immersive standards, the soundtrack does manage to offer a subtly immersive experience, especially with environmental sounds that create a lifelike audio atmosphere. Dialogue is consistently clear and clean, maintaining intelligibility throughout various scenes.

One of the standout aspects is the film's score, composed by early music icon David Munrow and featuring elements of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. The music's rich and vigorous sound helps to establish an idiosyncratic retro-future ambiance that director John Boorman clearly aimed for. However, despite the engaging sound design in dynamic scenes, the overall audio fidelity feels dated. Limited dynamic range affects the impact of louder effects like gunshots and explosions, making them sound weaker than expected. While turning up the volume might help somewhat, the music occasionally comes off as flat and even shrill. Nonetheless, the use of unique sound effects and ambient noises, especially within the mysterious Tabernacle, provides an adequate preservation of the film’s original sound design.

In summary, while "Zardoz" on Blu-ray falls short of delivering a contemporary audio experience, it compensates with well-crafted dialogue clarity and interesting use of environmental sounds. The soundtrack's musical elements shine through, enhancing the film’s eccentric atmosphere, albeit at the cost of some dynamic range and surround activity.

The Blu-ray extras for "Zardoz" provide a diverse and robust set of features that significantly enhance appreciation of this cult classic. Key highlights include two contrasting audio commentaries: John Boorman's provides candid insights into the filmmaking process, albeit with notable pauses, whereas Jeff Bond, Joe Fordham, and Nick Redman deliver a more engaging and informative discussion about the film’s production and its mixed reputation. The inclusion of isolated score tracks in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 allows fans to appreciate the film’s eclectic musical choices in high fidelity. Additionally, the collection features several vintage radio spots and the original theatrical trailer, giving a nostalgic glimpse into the film’s original marketing efforts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Radio Spots: Half a dozen audio advertisements promise that the film will take viewers "Beyond 1984. Beyond 2001."
• Original Theatrical Trailer: A trailer aiming to explain the movie's adventurous nature.
• Isolated Score Track: Presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0.
• Audio Commentary with John Boorman: Provides candid insights from the filmmaker.
• Audio Commentary with Jeff Bond, Joe Fordham, and Nick Redman: An engaging and informative discussion on the film and its production.

"Zardoz," directed by John Boorman, is a quintessential artifact of early 1970s cinema, wielding both the intellectual ambition and psychedelic flair that defined the era. The film's title intriguingly abbreviates "The Wizard of Oz," reflecting its underlying theme of peeking behind the curtain to unveil hidden truths. Set in a dystopian future, the movie juxtaposes the brutish existences of the "Brutals" with the placid lives of the ruling "Eternals" in a narrative rich with quasi-hallucinatory elements. Sean Connery’s portrayal of Zed, a rugged enforcer in an adult-sized onesie and ponytail, becomes a focal point as he unravels the enigmatic layers of his world. Despite its low budget, Boorman infuses the film with vibrant visual effects and philosophical musings, often bordering on the hyperintellectual.

The narrative structure may leave some viewers perplexed, as it weaves together dense terminology and complex ideas about science, religion, and human nature. Boorman himself acknowledged the film's inherent opacity by including a somewhat unhelpful prologue featuring a floating head intended to clarify the plot. "Zardoz" garners mixed receptions, with some seeing it as a misunderstood genius work while others perceive it as a misguided catastrophe. However, despite its ostensibly absurd elements like Sean Connery in a red diaper or a giant stone head that spews firearms, Boorman’s earnest direction and elaborate world-building lend the film a curious credibility. The screenplay explores thorny ethical issues and philosophical dialectics through engaging characters like Consuella and May, who study Zed with curious fascination.

For cinephiles willing to embrace its idiosyncrasies, "Zardoz" serves as an intellectually stimulating and visually arresting cinematic expedition. The film is best approached with an open mind, prepared to navigate its winding paths and puzzling metaphors. "Zardoz" challenges its audience to look beyond its peculiar exterior to uncover the thoughtful discourse on human destiny and societal constructs embedded within. Whether it successfully achieves Boorman’s grand vision or not, it undeniably stands as a unique experiment in the annals of science fiction cinema.

"Zardoz" is undeniably a paradoxical film, exhibiting a charmingly goofy exterior coupled with an emblematic 70s sci-fi peculiarness. Its outlandish narrative, featuring Sean Connery in an unforgettable ensemble of red loincloth and ponytail, wandering through the surreal landscapes of the Vortex, is an experience that straddles both absurdity and intrigue. While the movie's philosophical aspirations might ultimately feel more like a cacophony of disjointed ideas, its uniqueness cannot be overstated. Boorman’s directorial audacity ensures that "Zardoz" remains engrossing, albeit not deeply moving on an emotional level.

The Blu-ray release by Twilight Time offers remarkable technical merits, enhancing the distinct visual style of the film with a freshly remastered video transfer. Despite the inherent challenges posed by the film’s original, somewhat obtuse cinematography, the remastering endeavors yield an appreciably crisp and immersive viewing experience. This release also includes two insightful audio commentaries, with John Boorman's reflections arguably being a standout feature. His commentary provides a rich layer of context and is often considered more compelling than the film itself, cementing the disc's value beyond just its visual appeal.

In conclusion, "Zardoz" might not be for everyone, given its eccentricities and sporadic coherence. However, its cult appeal and distinctive style make it a worthy part of any serious cinephile's collection. The Blu-ray edition, despite some debates over Twilight Time's pricing strategies, preserves and enhances the film’s quirky charm effectively. For fans of John Boorman or those curious about unique entries in sci-fi cinema, this release is highly recommended.