Zardoz (1974)

In the stark year of 2293, Zardoz, a seemingly omnipotent entity, rules over the rugged Outlands through a monolithic stone idol, orchestrating the lives of a barbaric society known as the Brutals. Zardoz promises them eternal bliss in the Vortex - a supposed haven of immortality - following their death. He instills the credo that killing is virtuous and procreation, the root of all evil, arming an elite group, the Exterminators, with weapons to enforce this doctrine. The reality, however, is far more complex. Zardoz is in fact Arthur Frayn, a member of the Eternals, a rival race that resides in the actual Vortex, a paradise where aging is a myth and death is but a temporary inconvenience. The Eternals have transcended human needs like sleep and procreation, maintaining equilibrium in their society through pure democracy. Yet, they are susceptible to non-lethal disease and sin, punished by accelerated aging that sullies their eternal life but never extinguishes it. Arthur, isolated in the Outlands, manipulates and observes the Brutals in his guise as Zardoz for the Eternals. Enter Zed, an Exterminator who stumbles upon the Vortex and disrupts this delicate balance. The Eternals decide to let him live temporarily for their study before executing him. Among those dealing directly with Zed are May, a scientist who sees him as a valuable specimen; Friend, a hedonist who views Zed as a primitive amusement; and Consuela, a hardliner advocating for swift justice. As they probe Zed, they might uncover whether his arrival was an accident or fate, and their idyllic society could be revealed for what it truly is. Simultaneously, a mysterious plague is ravaging the Eternals, draining their will to live and plunging them into a catatonic state. As the barbarian Zed infiltrates their world, the precarious harmony is put under threat, setting the stage for a dramatic clash of civilizations that will redefine the future of Earth.

Zardoz is an action movie featuring Sean Connery.

It is possible to buy Zardoz on AMC on Demand, Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.