Research scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) wakes up one morning to find the world suddenly and inexplicably deserted in this 1985 New Zealand sci-fi film. After months alone, trying to stave off loneliness by moving into a series of luxurious mansions and surrounding himself with mannequins he addresses like a dictator, Zac's radio messages find another survivor, a young woman named Joanne (Alison Routledge). Their blossoming romance is unbalanced by the appearance of a third survivor, Maori soldier Api (Pete Smith). The end of the world here is not due to pollution, war, radiation, or some doomsday weapon gone wrong: Zac reveals he was a scientist on a project that he thinks caused the events and his observations lead him to believe that further developments are on the way. As with many other apocalyptic tales, the issues of class, sex, and race are explored in microcosm, and there is a metaphysical twist with suggestions of alternate dimensions and the afterlife. Directed by Geoff Murphy, The Quiet Earth won eight New Zealand Film and TV Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Lawrence) and Best Supporting Actor (Smith), and went on to become a cult hit worldwide. And the main extra is a real treat: audio commentary by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and film critic Odie Henderson. Also featuring a new essay by Professor Teresa Heffernan, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)
The Quiet Earth
Film Movement, 91 min., R, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95 Volume 32, Issue 2
The Quiet Earth
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: