Episode 158: Zardoz speaks to you!

2025-05-22

This episode we're coming to you with a film that people seem to either love or hate: it's John Boorman's psychotronic masterpiece, 1974's Zardoz. If you've never seen Zardoz, it's difficult to provide a description that captures the sheer audacity of this film. Set in a dystopian future with Sean Connery as a killer named Zed memorable for his red banana-hammock outfit, there are a number of science fiction tropes vying for the viewer's attention, but they are frequently overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of it all. After all, ...

This episode we're coming to you with a film that people seem to either love or hate: it's John Boorman's psychotronic masterpiece, 1974's Zardoz. If you've never seen Zardoz, it's difficult to provide a description that captures the sheer audacity of this film. Set in a dystopian future with Sean Connery as a killer named Zed memorable for his red banana-hammock outfit, there are a number of science fiction tropes vying for the viewer's attention, but they are frequently overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of it all. After all, you have to get past a giant stone head called Zardoz floating through the sky, shouting things like , "The gun is good! The penis is evil!"

The Planet 8 crew is once again joined by our friend Lord Blood-Rah (aka the fourth crew member), and we're essentially split down the middle on this film. Lord Blood-Rah and Recon Officer Karen love it; Commander Larry and Chief Engineer Bob...hate is too strong a word, but let's just say they weren't thrilled with it! But as always, we have a civil and fun discussion of the film, what we find appealing, some of the story behind how the film came to be made, and all the usual hijinks.

We hope you'll give Zardoz a try and decide for yourself what you think of it. Then be sure to tell us!

On our Sensor Sweep, Lord Blood-Rah shares the latest happenings on his many different platforms- his YouTube channel, TV program, Captain Paxar's Star Cadet Hour - he's got a lot of plates spinning! You can learn about it all by going to lordbloodrah.com.

Did you know Karen started a YouTube channel to talk about books? That's right, books. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror books, with maybe a few surprises thrown in. It's called Echoes from the Satellite, and you can find it here.

Bob is still getting things ready for Godzillafest, booking the films that will be shown. Convention tickets are now on sale. You can go to Godzillafest.com to buy tickets and get more information. Bob also shared a new book, a Photo Archive of space giants!

Finally, Larry was inspired by Karen's YouTube episode on Marvel's sci fi magazines of the 70s, and got a Planet of the Apes magazine from eBay! He also shared a Galactus HeroClix poster from years gone by.

We hope you enjoyed our look at Zardoz. Let us know your thoughts! You know where to find us!