The trailer begins by presenting us with some benign text. “Beyond 1984″ – okay I can believe that. If this is 1974 that’s only 10 years from now. “Beyond 2001″ – Alright, you’re conjuring up some Arthur C. Clarke now and while the year 2000 seems outlandish to the 70s, it’s just a number. “Beyond Love” – Eh, what? “Beyond Death” – Not sure how that relates to 2001, but sure. Yes, something beyond death. What have you got next oh mystical words trailer?
“ZARDOZ…ZARDOZ” Wha…What did it just say? When this trailer said Zardoz once, I was stunned. But when it said Zardoz for a second time with an eerie echo, I was hooked. At 13 seconds, it should come as no surprise that the next image we see is a giant talking head (cough, Aladdin precursor, cough) and that the film this piece represents makes the Bible seem believable.
Quickly this trailer amazes, as at 21 seconds the giant talking Zardoz head pukes out GUNS! That’s right GUNS!!! Then wait, who’s that at 21 seconds in the red liatard thingy and a long pony tail, you bet, it’s Sean Connery.
At 1:29 when the classical music kicks in, I am literally at a loss for words. So many odd images, so many questions. Why is Sean Connery sliding into a mirror? Why is Sean Connery punching his way out of a dry cleaner bag? Why is Sean Connery in a house of mirrors? Who directed this trailer? Who directed this movie? If this trailer is succeeding in anything (which it completely is) it’s offering so many startling juxtapositions that the viewer, even one in 2009, is utterly bedazzled, nay, haunted, by a need to understand the meaning of all of this. To the trailer hater of 1974, this must be a turd dropper.
Post classical soundtrack the trailer begins to offer another series of oddities, this time in the form of a fisheye shot. Then when you least expect it. BAM! At 2:20 “ZARDOZ” strikes again. You know you have a captivating trailer when the stating of a simple name…word…sound elicits a need to comprehend.
Finally at 2:27 everything starts to make sense. We learn that we’re dealing with two alternate realities, one in which Zardoz rules over these violent men, one in which women live in peace. Zed, Sean Connery’s character is plummeted into the peace reality somehow and he fucks shit up. The explanation is somewhat limited but it gives you a better grip on what your mind just took in for two minutes.
I’ve not seen Zardoz and likely never will have the opportunity to see it in theaters, but if a trailer came out like this today, you can bet your ass I’ll be putting down 7 bucks and waiting in line. Now, I’ve heard Zardoz turned out to be a not-so-amazing movie, but for its bravery in artistic representation and willingness to flabbergast the viewer, this trailer takes the unbeaten path to selling a flick, and succeeds.
Bottom line:
If you find yourself a time-machine, head back to 1974 and watch Sean Connery’s hairy ass on the big screen. If you’re no HG Wells then rent this like it’s hot.
Zardoz (1974) – Holy tits.
The trailer begins by presenting us with some benign text. “Beyond 1984″ – okay I can believe that. If this is 1974 that’s only 10 years from now. “Beyond 2001″ – Alright, you’re conjuring up some Arthur C. Clarke now and while the year 2000 seems outlandish to the 70s, it’s just a number. “Beyond Love” – Eh, what? “Beyond Death” – Not sure how that relates to 2001, but sure. Yes, something beyond death. What have you got next oh mystical words trailer?
“ZARDOZ…ZARDOZ” Wha…What did it just say? When this trailer said Zardoz once, I was stunned. But when it said Zardoz for a second time with an eerie echo, I was hooked. At 13 seconds, it should come as no surprise that the next image we see is a giant talking head (cough, Aladdin precursor, cough) and that the film this piece represents makes the Bible seem believable.
At 1:29 when the classical music kicks in, I am literally at a loss for words. So many odd images, so many questions. Why is Sean Connery sliding into a mirror? Why is Sean Connery punching his way out of a dry cleaner bag? Why is Sean Connery in a house of mirrors? Who directed this trailer? Who directed this movie? If this trailer is succeeding in anything (which it completely is) it’s offering so many startling juxtapositions that the viewer, even one in 2009, is utterly bedazzled, nay, haunted, by a need to understand the meaning of all of this. To the trailer hater of 1974, this must be a turd dropper.
Post classical soundtrack the trailer begins to offer another series of oddities, this time in the form of a fisheye shot. Then when you least expect it. BAM! At 2:20 “ZARDOZ” strikes again. You know you have a captivating trailer when the stating of a simple name…word…sound elicits a need to comprehend.
Finally at 2:27 everything starts to make sense. We learn that we’re dealing with two alternate realities, one in which Zardoz rules over these violent men, one in which women live in peace. Zed, Sean Connery’s character is plummeted into the peace reality somehow and he fucks shit up. The explanation is somewhat limited but it gives you a better grip on what your mind just took in for two minutes.
I’ve not seen Zardoz and likely never will have the opportunity to see it in theaters, but if a trailer came out like this today, you can bet your ass I’ll be putting down 7 bucks and waiting in line. Now, I’ve heard Zardoz turned out to be a not-so-amazing movie, but for its bravery in artistic representation and willingness to flabbergast the viewer, this trailer takes the unbeaten path to selling a flick, and succeeds.
If you find yourself a time-machine, head back to 1974 and watch Sean Connery’s hairy ass on the big screen. If you’re no HG Wells then rent this like it’s hot.
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