Zachariah (1971) [DVD]

I saw this when it came out, saw it several more times, and bought it in beta max but when I watched it on Amazon, it was censored. Anyone know it the DVD is censored?It is probably my favorite movie and really made me a Don Johnson fan but the three of his old movie I watched on Amazon were censored. So the uncensored movies I watched in a movie theater fifty years ago, I can't rent uncensored today. That's annoying.

Personal enjoyment of a classic movies.

You know, I've even shown this to fellow fans of the Firesign Theatre, who purportedly wrote this piece of dreck, and even THEY can't find much to like about it. (Peter Bergman appears as a bartender for about five seconds.)Don Johnson, who looks fresh out of high school, and John Rubinstein, who looks fresh out of rehab, play gunslingers in a town that is OBVIOUSLY just flats with no actual buildings. That's the cool, groovy, 60s point, get it? It's just a movie, maaaan.And it's a movie that's more interesting to watch from a stunned, "why did they make this" sense of wonder than from a "boy, I sure like 60s Westerns" point of view. Called the "first Rock and Roll Western," it's more a kind of surreal trip of a film, with smoke-hazed nods to Bunuel and Peckinpah.One thing about the relationship between the two friends/gunslingers/eventual enemies that is a little creepy is that there seems to be a kind of "more than just friends, nudge nudge" feeling to their relationship. Your milage may vary.I'm not going to bother to tell you what it's about, since it doesn't really matter. All I know is, I have never loaned a DVD to so many people and had them all give me the same reaction: "Get This Piece of ... out of my house!" That alone keeps it from being a one-star movie.An absolute must-have if you're an Elvin Jones completist. Is there one of those out there?

I was just leaving school and going into the military around the time Zachariah was new, I remember seeing ads and trailers for the movie back then, it looked interesting...........didn't see it until all these years later after buying it through Amazon. Not sorry I bought it, but it wasn't anything near as good as I expected, I'm a fan of Firesign Theatre and have all their comedy records now on CD, had no idea the guys from Firesign were involved with Zachariah until I watched my dvd. I would have added a lot more music to the film if I had any say.................and the Monday morning quarterback effect I would have done this and that to beef it up or make it better, but alas, I'm not a movie producer..........maybe it will grow on me as I watch it again. Glad to have it in my collection, but I wouldn't write home about it. I love some of the music in it. Zachariah needs a little more on the amped up music and a little more on the production, maybe it can be remade into something better.

Zachariah, although by no means what one may call a cinematic triumph, is a thrilling return to yesteryear for those who were there. The movie paved the way for Blazing Saddles, launched Don Johnson's career, and put the American West into a whole different perspective.Zachariah was an assault on one of the most cherished of America's icons, a western fraught with dope and love between men. It is a tale that defines the far too short experiment in alternate values, a tale that defines what the counterculture envisioned for the future. The message may be trite - and certainly has been rejected - but it gives us an insight into what could be if we only we reflect on what truly matters in life.Whether you are merely curious about the now historical times of my generation or you would like to revisit those lost days of youth, Zachariah will not fail you.

Hadn’t seen this movie in 40+ years. Really enjoyed it. I bit corny in parts, but just as it should be. All in great fun. And crazy seeing Don Johnson so young!

Saw this movie 41 years ago in a local cinema, stoned! Knew nothing about it at the time, but have never forgotten it. So pleased I got the DVD. Shared it with the same friend I originally saw it with and we were blown away by how well it stood up and how much we remembered! Then shared it with a younger friend who had never seen it and he was equally impressed, just raved about it and wants to get his own copy. Music is great, Rubenstein and Johnson should be so proud of this early foray into movies. Best line from Country Joe - 'I feel a tour coming on - (among others) 'Zeno's head shop in Madagascar!' What a classic!!

A quirky, psychedelic western, typical of its era--strained acting, implausible plot, inexplicable transitions. An early role for Don Johnson, whose performance is as disappointing as usual. I got it primarily to see the musicians (eg, Country Joe & the Fish). I already had the soundtrack LP from many years ago. This is a historical artifact of its time, and I got it for amusement and because it wasn't expensive. Don't know whether I'll ever watch it again, but I don't regret the purchase.

What is the theme of this movie?Nothing.There is no story, and plot is a mess.Why on earth people make such movies?Though cast is good.They really act good; but in a nonsense setting.Is this movie about that hippy and rock'n roll generation were like cowboys in the wild west.Were their souls same?Anyway, waste of time.

Oh dear....I struggled through the first 15 minutes, then fell asleep, tried to watch again, only managed 20mins then turned it off....best left in the packaging...

An absolute gem, the story was superbly ridiculous and the music made it a great film. This was great fun.

A fun, light movie from the early 1970s. The best part is watching The James Gang and Country Joe & The Fish perform. It's a bit corny and silly, otherwise. Acting is mediocre at best, and the plot is a cardboard stereotype. The music is okay, but not the best of any of the performers in the movie.The Firesign Theatre are credited as co-authors but I can't see them work in the script. Peter Bergman shows up briefly in a cameo role, but that's about it. I hadn't seen it since it first came out and wanted to relive the memories. The memories were better, but I still liked seeing it again.

Der Film selbst ist 100% Kult! Wer auf schräge Filme der 60er und 70er Jahre steht wird bei diesem Psychedelic - Fantasy - Western auf seine Kosten kommen. Der Soundtrack tut ein übriges um Freunde dieser Ära zu beglücken.In Deutschland gibt es leider bislang immer noch keine Veröffentlichung des Films. Die britische DVD hat als Extra lediglich den Original-Trailer zu bieten. Der Film selbst lässt leider etwas an Brillanz und Schärfe vermissen. Auf mich wirkt es ein wenig als hätte eine 16mm Kopie als Vorlage gedient. Da es keine besseren Veröffentlichungen dieses Titels gibt muss man mit dieser DVD vorlieb nehmen.