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Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Anzac Wallace, Norman Fletcher, Pete Smith ... see more see more... , Tom Hyde

In a tour-de-force sci-fi story with only three main characters, Kiwi director Geoffrey Murphy creates an interesting dynamic nuanced with shades of mysticism. When scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrenc... read more read more...e) experiments with a radical new power source -- a band of energy that would circle the planet -- the project goes awry and apparently wipes out all living creatures (they vanish without a trace). At first Zac adjusts by indulging himself in some of his materialistic desires, but he soon starts a serious search for other signs of human life. He discovers it in New Zealand in the form of Joanne (Alison Routledge), with whom he falls in love, and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori. The challenges the three face in order to survive, as well as their personal interactions, keep this human drama engrossing. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

5,111 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

8 critics

R, 1 hr. 31 min.

Directed by: Geoff Murphy

Release Date: January 1, 1985

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DVD Release Date: June 13, 2006

Stats: 437 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (437)

  • flixsterman
    March 23, 2012
    flixsterman
    Surprisingly engaging and philosophical. One of science fiction's hidden gems.
  • ajv2688
    January 19, 2011
    ajv2688
    This is one of those post-apocalypse movies. It's kind of slow, but atmospheric and weird, in a good way. I really enjoyed it.
  • puffchunk
    October 5, 2008
    puffchunk
    Fun movie. I like how each character thought different stuff about what happened to them, and how the one guy becomes president of the world. I also love black men in the 70's, and how they go jogging in leather pants.
  • ironclad1609
    May 3, 2008
    ironclad1609
    A man awakes to find himself being the last man on earth. His reactions to this rather surprising development reach from confusion, over a couple of rather humorous scenes to the early stages of madness, some of which are more believable than others. The explanation for everythin... read moreg is rather nonsensical and once we discover he isn't alone one has to wonder if people would really act the way some characters occasionally do. However, the atmosphere is pretty gloomy and the general idea really interesting, it all makes for an entertaining movie after all. Only the solution kinda leaves you wondering what the heck was going on.
  • fb1142797643
    December 17, 2011
    fb1142797643
    I would dread writing a professional review of "The Quiet Earth," because if I were seeing this New Zealand film for the first time, I wouldn't want any pre-knowledge of its content beyond the fundamental premise: a research scientist wakes up one morning and finds that the globa... read morel energy project he works on has malfunctioned and vaporized everyone else on Earth.

    On the other hand, if you're viewing this film's Flixster page, you see a cast list of more than one person and an official trailer that shows the three main characters. So, it's no secret that scientist Zac eventually discovers at least two other survivors: an attractive redhead and a Maori brute.

    With this preamble out of the way, let's say "The Quiet Earth" spends most of its time making the viewer imagine what he would do if he were alone on Earth and had all of civilization as his personal playground. The filmmakers create a convincing depiction of an empty metropolis, and we see Zac both indulge himself with empty luxury and, more pragmatically, try to diagnose what went wrong and see if there is any solution.

    The other two characters behave less wisely, which is somewhat frustrating, but perhaps they should be forgiven -- after all, they're not scientists. But whatever misgivings the film accumulates are largely erased by an awe-inspiring close that is "2001: A Space Odyssey"-like in its majesty and provocative ambiguity. And up until those final minutes, you'll have no idea where the story is headed. So, please be patient.

    This review could not be complete without adding that composer John Charles turns in a classy, orchestrated score that perfectly accents the story's poignancy.
  • gator681
    April 26, 2010
    gator681
    "The Quiet Earth" starts at 6:11 am with Zac Hobson(Bruno Lawrence) lying naked on a bed in a motel. At 6:12, the world changes and he soon discovers that he is the only person left. Much to his dismay, he finds that it may have had something to do with his job as a research sc... read moreientist at Project Flashlight. He does not give up hope for survivors, broadcasting on the radio and putting up signs but no response, even as he moves into a classier neighborhood. With nobody around, he dresses in women's clothing which is followed by insanity. Then, his world changes again.

    "The Quiet Earth" is an engaging and low tech science fiction movie that takes a creative approach to depicting a suddently empty world with one memorably trippy effect.(And relax, there are explosions.) This was made in 1985 when the Cold War was still ongoing. At this point there were scientific proposals like the Strategic Defense Initiative which was some sick person's idea of a good time. So, not only did people have to be afraid of nuclear weapons but also of scientists playing god by coming up with more creative nightmares. To reinforce this notion, the movie does have it share of religious imagery and themes. And I especially liked the ending, even if I have no idea what it is supposed to mean.
  • DrLappos
    February 23, 2008
    DrLappos
    Extremely odd aussie movie I saw when I was a little drunk.....still good film though.
  • GabrielKnight
    December 18, 2011
    GabrielKnight
    A refreshing sci-fi with interesting dynamics between the main characters. I didn't care much for the "blame America for all the world's problems" theme, but it wasn't too distracting. The ending was thought-provoking.
  • HuskersNC949597
    June 4, 2010
    HuskersNC949597
    Blames America for something even though the secret to stopping it appears to be located in New Zealand ("this is when science didn't have a specific purpose"), then ends in a large explosion. Interesting and morbidly fun to contemplate.
  • JonnyMac78
    December 9, 2008
    JonnyMac78
    I like the empty town but too weird for my taste. Not as good as night of the comet and/or 28 days later

View All The Quiet Earth Reviews

Critic Reviews

Felix Gonzalez Jr.
July 10, 2007
Felix Gonzalez Jr., DVD Review

For such a low-budget film, it is beautifully photographed and contains some inspired, yet deceptively simple visual effects. Full Review

Christopher Null
June 15, 2006
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

a cult classic of the good variety Full Review

Scott Weinberg
June 10, 2006
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com

It unfolds like a particularly cool episode of The Twilight Zone and it keeps the apocalypse interesting up to and including the deliciously ambiguous finale. Full Review

Pablo Villaca
April 19, 2005
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena

Destaca-se de outros projetos similares por concentrar-se principalmente nos efeitos psicológicos do isolamento sobre o protagonista.

October 18, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Walter Goodman
August 30, 2004
Walter Goodman, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 14, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Robert Roten
February 10, 2004
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

No review available.

Matt Brunson
July 29, 2002
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

No review available.

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The Quiet Earth Trivia

  • Best picture Oscar went to The Greatest Show On Earth. It defeated The Quiet Man and High Noon.The year was __  Answer »
  • Paul: And our bodies are earth. And our thoughts are clay. And we sleep and eat with death. Lew Ayres voiced these unforgettable lines in one of the greatest war movies of all times. What was it?  Answer »
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