From: k206027@smog.DKRZ-Hamburg.DE (Bakayaroo Banzai)
Subject: Re: ZARDOZ
Keywords: ZARDOZ
Organization: Deutsches Klimarechenzentrum GmbH, Hamburg
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 92 08:31:08 GMT

In article <7548@bigbird.hri.com.hri.com> fleurant@hri.com (P.Fleurant) writes:
>In article <1992Dec18.072124.23692@news.DKRZ-Hamburg.DE>, k206027@smog.DKRZ-Hamburg.DE (Bakayaroo Banzai) writes:
>> Nor have they managed to match it's silliness, plot mis-handling,
>> bad direction, or lapses in logic.
>> 
>Please give us:
>      an example of plot mis-handling?  
>      an example of lapses in logic????
>
>There may be something to learn here.
>
No problem.

Zardoz may be "art" but it certainly is not a well-told story. Boorman
doesn't tell us who Zed is until the middle of the film. We don't know
why he snuck onboard the flying head, we don't know what in the hell 
the Brutals are or why they're so devolved from the Eternals. Maybe
Boorman was trying to create an air of mystery but all he suceeded in
doing was confusing most people I know who saw this film. He was
obviously trying to make a "head" film for druggies to cash in on the
2001:Space Odyssey crowd. Yeah, he eventually explains everything but
by the time he did I didn't care anymore. A more linear storyline 
would have done wonders for this film.

As for lapses in logic, the whole film is a lapse in logic as far as
i'm concerned. How does a super-computer extend people's lifespans?
Why do the Eternals feel it necessary to control the Exterminators and
Brutals when the Vortex is self-sufficient? Why do the Eternals smash
great objects of art while chasing Zed? Why the great massacre scene
at the end? Wouldn't a great many of the Eternals simply wish to 
live out the remainder of their lives rather than be brutally snuffed?
If the Tabernacle is contained in a little crystal how does Zed manage to
get inside of it, by shrinking down real teensy?

And the list goes on. The makeup and costuming was terrible. The scene
of the Eternals meditating induces howls of laughter from the audience.
Boorman tries to tackle the big themes but he always misses the mark
by a few inches. His films all seem to have the sound quality of a
dubbed Japanese monster movie. Check out Arthur (Speed Racer) King of
the Britons in Excalibur if you don't believe me. He obviously does
extensive re-looping of dialogue. 

Now to be fair, his cinematography is always stunning. Zardoz is no
exception. I was completely overwhelmed by "Hope and Glory" a few 
years ago. The man is capable of absolute brilliance when he sticks
to a real story and hires good actors. Zardoz works for me only on
the "Plan 9 From Outer Space" level, not as a brilliant work of art.
I can only watch it and think of what it could have been.

All IMO of course.

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