Sean Connery's Zardoz Costume Probably Shouldn't Have Been Greenlit

The late Sean Connery enjoyed a silver screen tenure that most actors only dream of. Getting his start in the 1950s, Connery's career took off in the following decade when he landed the role of Bond, James Bond, in 1962's "Dr. No" — a performance that allowed him to continue in the role for years to come. Aside from 007-centered films, Connery also impressed as Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez in "Highlander," Henry Jones Sr. in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," and Captain Marko Ramius in "The Hunt for Red October," to name a few.

At the same time, for as strong as Connery's filmography is, it's not devoid of strange and downright awful entries. When discussing his worst films, 2003's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" often gets a lot of heat, but what about the oddball ones? Well, the arguable crown jewel is "Zardoz" from 1974: a dystopian science-fantasy effort from director John Boorman that's every bit eccentric as it is fascinating. It stars Connery as Zed, who seeks to reform the corrupt world he lives in that has caused endless suffering ... all while wearing an almost unbelievably horrendous outfit.

It's not the story, the performances, or the special effects that have made "Zardoz" so well-known. Rather, it's the Zed outfit created for Sean Connery that, for all intents and purposes, should never have made it past the concept art stage.

When it comes to fantasy properties, it's pretty much a must that the costume department whip up some wild outfits for actors to wear in front of the camera. "Zardoz" proved no different, but Sean Connery's Zed getup is absolutely atrocious. Mustache, sideburns, and braided ponytail aside, he's not wearing much of anything for most of the movie. He has two straps that form an "X" on his chest, paired with what's essentially a pair of red underwear. To top it all off, Connery had to run around in black thigh-high boots. It's a hard look for anyone to pull off, hence why it has earned a reputation as one of the worst costumes to ever plague the cinema.

At the same time, like anything in the world of entertainment, Connery's Zed costume has its fair share of fans out there. In fact, as noted by Eat Liver, some "Zardoz" fans go out of their way to show their love for the film and the gaudy outfit Connery wore in it. They've made it a cosplay favorite, going above and beyond to craft Zed attire all their own to wear to costume parties, pop culture conventions, and more. 

Of course, if you're considering adding yourself to this list of "Zardoz" enthusiasts, it would be wise to bring a jacket and perhaps a change of clothes to your chosen function. Cosplays don't get much more revealing (and therefore chilly) than this.

Say what you will about the incredibly unique "Zardoz" as a film, but it's impossible to deny that the costumes — chiefly that of Sean Connery's Zed — are truly one of a kind. Whether that's in the best or worst way is up to your interpretation.