Four young people, hiding after dark in the Sydney Opera House, learn that nuclear war has been declared in Europe and Central America, with US bases in Australia targeted. Faced with the prospect that life as they know it may have ended forever, they must come to terms with their feelings for each other. As with many non-action Apocalyptic films, it tends to drag a little: there was an excellent opportunity to really explore the characters, but what we have is little more than light conversation. A strong finish almost makes up for the weak first hour...and who else found the American sailor character annoying? At least there's a (rather extended) Midnight Oil clip to keep us going. Rating: 6/10. See also: ON THE BEACH (1959), ON THE BEACH (2000) (mini), and also read Nevil Shute's novel, ON THE BEACH.
9 Reviews
Strange mix of teen-flick and nuclear holocaust film.
PeterM2728 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
There are strong and weak elements in this somewhat strange mix of teen-flick and nuclear holocaust film.
The setup is strong, with three non-political young Australians who are mainly interested in hooking up with someone likeable, plus an American sailor (who has deserted his ship to somehow escape the war he knows is coming, and who wants only to get back to his sweetheart in the US), being thrown together by chance and finding themselves facing the question about what to do with what could be their last moments on earth. Their answers to this question are a mixture of poignancy and silliness, as the four spend their time flirting and drinking and dressing up from the Opera House costume department.
Sometimes it gets a bit puerile, but both Cassandra Delaney and Saskia Post are charming and easy to watch, while the two men are less engaging. There are some quite effective flashbacks as the characters reminisce on their short lives. But, after seeming to lose its way at times, there is an effective finale.
Also in the film's favour are the interesting insertions of some of the 1980s anti-nuclear marches in Sydney, reminding us of a time when the main danger to humanity was the possibility of the Cold War spinning out of control and a nuclear war wiping out life as we know it. Footage of a Midnight Oil concert also help bring back this era.
The setup is strong, with three non-political young Australians who are mainly interested in hooking up with someone likeable, plus an American sailor (who has deserted his ship to somehow escape the war he knows is coming, and who wants only to get back to his sweetheart in the US), being thrown together by chance and finding themselves facing the question about what to do with what could be their last moments on earth. Their answers to this question are a mixture of poignancy and silliness, as the four spend their time flirting and drinking and dressing up from the Opera House costume department.
Sometimes it gets a bit puerile, but both Cassandra Delaney and Saskia Post are charming and easy to watch, while the two men are less engaging. There are some quite effective flashbacks as the characters reminisce on their short lives. But, after seeming to lose its way at times, there is an effective finale.
Also in the film's favour are the interesting insertions of some of the 1980s anti-nuclear marches in Sydney, reminding us of a time when the main danger to humanity was the possibility of the Cold War spinning out of control and a nuclear war wiping out life as we know it. Footage of a Midnight Oil concert also help bring back this era.
A decent enough watch, with scenes of 1980s Sydney
bittersweet_smiler19 April 2021
I only came across this after hearing of the passing of Saskia Post. It's a nice snapshot of how Sydney used to look in the 1980s, with footage of the Opera House & Sydney Harbour & nearby streets as well as Martin Place train station, and a full performance by Midnight Oil of their famous song Short Memory is nice to see. It may be a bit factually inaccurate with the nuclear fallout, and the acting is a bit basic, but it's an interesting enough story of how a small group of people would react in an unexpected situation, starting off in optimistic denial until the reality of the situation sets in. Watch out around the 5-minute mark for a cameo from former Crowded House drummer Paul Hester as a naval officer.
Brilliant early Duigan
mppullar30 November 2003
In the eighties, John Duigan was one of Australia's most innovative and charming film-makers. Although he hasn't done much of note in recent years, "Flirting" (1991) and "Lawn Dogs" (1997) are 90s examples of his brilliance, and his forthcoming film, "Head in the Clouds", sounds promising. "Lawn Dogs", with its magnificent acting, screenplay (sadly not by Duigan) and stunning cinematography, is probably his masterpiece, but for sheer experimentalism and surprising pathos, "One Night Stand" is hard to ignore, especially considering it was made in 1984.
The story is very simple - actually, there isn't much of one. A group of four people sit around in an abandoned Sydney Opera House, worrying about the end of the world. But Duigan uses this merely as a point of departure. With some of the most interesting, and subtle, uses of flashback that I've seen in a while, nice acting, and clever uses of "Short Memory" by Midnight Oil and Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", Duigan has come up with quite a gem. It doesn't have any of the usual trappings of Australian film - excessive "larikanism", lack of subtlety and depth, cinematic blandness or an irritating effort to be noticeably "Australian" (despite the potentially cumbersome use of Sydney landmarks) - and has so many things that many American and world movies lack. "One Night Stand" is a film with the potential to surprise in an age when we so often think we've seen it all. It's dated a little bit - quite a bit, actually - but, well, it was 1984, so you can't exactly expect it to look like it was made yesterday. But in terms of what it achieves - emotionally, politically, cinematically - it is avant-garde in the truest sense. Not unwatchable, not difficult, just truly ahead of the game. And so few films have really caught up in the 20 years since.
I just hope that "Head in the Clouds" can show that Duigan still is, rather than just was, an amazing film-maker. More people need to see "Lawn Dogs". More people need to see the Danny Emberling films. And, judging by the seriously low user-rating, and startling absence of user comments on IMDb, it seems very clear that more people need to see "One Night Stand".
The story is very simple - actually, there isn't much of one. A group of four people sit around in an abandoned Sydney Opera House, worrying about the end of the world. But Duigan uses this merely as a point of departure. With some of the most interesting, and subtle, uses of flashback that I've seen in a while, nice acting, and clever uses of "Short Memory" by Midnight Oil and Fritz Lang's "Metropolis", Duigan has come up with quite a gem. It doesn't have any of the usual trappings of Australian film - excessive "larikanism", lack of subtlety and depth, cinematic blandness or an irritating effort to be noticeably "Australian" (despite the potentially cumbersome use of Sydney landmarks) - and has so many things that many American and world movies lack. "One Night Stand" is a film with the potential to surprise in an age when we so often think we've seen it all. It's dated a little bit - quite a bit, actually - but, well, it was 1984, so you can't exactly expect it to look like it was made yesterday. But in terms of what it achieves - emotionally, politically, cinematically - it is avant-garde in the truest sense. Not unwatchable, not difficult, just truly ahead of the game. And so few films have really caught up in the 20 years since.
I just hope that "Head in the Clouds" can show that Duigan still is, rather than just was, an amazing film-maker. More people need to see "Lawn Dogs". More people need to see the Danny Emberling films. And, judging by the seriously low user-rating, and startling absence of user comments on IMDb, it seems very clear that more people need to see "One Night Stand".
Australian take on nuclear apocalypse
sallen730 September 2002
I saw this film in the late 1980s on the local uhf television station. I think this film is what piqued my interest in Australian films. I have thought about this film from time to time and have looked for it but to no avail.
This may not be a masterpiece but the film is rather enjoyable. The setting takes place near a stage while on the world stage we are made aware some nuclear powers are waging war.
The world is not over yet and you sense the realization the end is near has not completely sunk in but there is a sadness or sense of imminent loss.
I really like the fact that the actors looked like ordinary people and like ordinary people they responded to the news in an ordinary way as perhaps a person in their late teens or early twenties would. It is a rude awakening to the harshness of life but somehow the characters manage to make the most of it.
This film does not appear to be on dvd or vhs but I hope it becomes available soon. It is sad that teen movies today seem to lack distinction.
This may not be a masterpiece but the film is rather enjoyable. The setting takes place near a stage while on the world stage we are made aware some nuclear powers are waging war.
The world is not over yet and you sense the realization the end is near has not completely sunk in but there is a sadness or sense of imminent loss.
I really like the fact that the actors looked like ordinary people and like ordinary people they responded to the news in an ordinary way as perhaps a person in their late teens or early twenties would. It is a rude awakening to the harshness of life but somehow the characters manage to make the most of it.
This film does not appear to be on dvd or vhs but I hope it becomes available soon. It is sad that teen movies today seem to lack distinction.
Hilarious, unpreditcable food for thought!
tgs33324 November 2004
Well, what can one write about this movie? Certainly an interesting 'end of the world' 80's movie.
We are introduced to 4 young 20something year olds in the down yonder just before the end of the world becomes their only reality. Held up in the Sidney Opera House for what is likely their last night on Earth. We follow these young people (2 men and 2 women) through their agonizing transition from lives full of promise to where their lives are ever so quickly coming to an abrupt end.
Extremely melodramatic! The acting is simply splendid!!! Those young actors really became entrenched in their characters. Throughout the movie the young adults tune into a radio station about reports of World War III breaking out all across Europe and America and of their own impending doom after a Nuclear Bomb is detonated just south of Sydney. Throughout the movie a white rabbit appears - for what reasons, I have yet to figure out - was the director trying to send a message to the viewer? The most impacting scene is the video camera footage broadcast on local TV of distressed and burned survivors somewhere 'north of New York'. This scene really packs a punch! Especially since the movie just kind of tugs along and then WHAM you get hit with this very graphic and disturbing scene! Burned victims, men and women crying out in agony, Soldiers in radiation suits guiding blind and burned victims to a make shift shelter where the news camera keys in on people with skin hanging from their bodies, charred remains of humans and animals and the piercing cry of women and children! I don't think there is one scene from 'The Day After' or 'Threads' that packed a shocking punch as this one brief scene in the movie (One Night Stand). Oh and Midnight Oil is in this movie! Am I the only yank that likes this band?????
Extremely rare video to purchase. It is not available on DVD. I was lucky to purchase a copy on Ebay recently in VHS format! The back of the VHS box states:
"How would you spend your last night on Earth? Four young people find themselves deciding just that, as they end up thrown together on what may be their last night to live.
When Sharon, Eva, Brendan, and Sam hear on the radio that World War III was begun, they decide that the best way to deal with the situation is to try and have a good time. They play strip poker, mix drinks, flirt, and joke around. But between the banter they draw close together as they realize that these may be the last friends they'll ever have.' Featuring the music of Midnight Oil."
In closing, I would love to see a DVD version of this film with a Director/Actor(s) narrative! One other tid bit, this movie was filmed entirely on location: New York, Sydny and Paris.
We are introduced to 4 young 20something year olds in the down yonder just before the end of the world becomes their only reality. Held up in the Sidney Opera House for what is likely their last night on Earth. We follow these young people (2 men and 2 women) through their agonizing transition from lives full of promise to where their lives are ever so quickly coming to an abrupt end.
Extremely melodramatic! The acting is simply splendid!!! Those young actors really became entrenched in their characters. Throughout the movie the young adults tune into a radio station about reports of World War III breaking out all across Europe and America and of their own impending doom after a Nuclear Bomb is detonated just south of Sydney. Throughout the movie a white rabbit appears - for what reasons, I have yet to figure out - was the director trying to send a message to the viewer? The most impacting scene is the video camera footage broadcast on local TV of distressed and burned survivors somewhere 'north of New York'. This scene really packs a punch! Especially since the movie just kind of tugs along and then WHAM you get hit with this very graphic and disturbing scene! Burned victims, men and women crying out in agony, Soldiers in radiation suits guiding blind and burned victims to a make shift shelter where the news camera keys in on people with skin hanging from their bodies, charred remains of humans and animals and the piercing cry of women and children! I don't think there is one scene from 'The Day After' or 'Threads' that packed a shocking punch as this one brief scene in the movie (One Night Stand). Oh and Midnight Oil is in this movie! Am I the only yank that likes this band?????
Extremely rare video to purchase. It is not available on DVD. I was lucky to purchase a copy on Ebay recently in VHS format! The back of the VHS box states:
"How would you spend your last night on Earth? Four young people find themselves deciding just that, as they end up thrown together on what may be their last night to live.
When Sharon, Eva, Brendan, and Sam hear on the radio that World War III was begun, they decide that the best way to deal with the situation is to try and have a good time. They play strip poker, mix drinks, flirt, and joke around. But between the banter they draw close together as they realize that these may be the last friends they'll ever have.' Featuring the music of Midnight Oil."
In closing, I would love to see a DVD version of this film with a Director/Actor(s) narrative! One other tid bit, this movie was filmed entirely on location: New York, Sydny and Paris.
An oldie Aussie gem
SafariPlum24 September 2021
I saw this movie when I was a teenager and could never remember the title. The story line stuck with me though. Recently stumbled across it on Amazon Prime when they licensed a heap of eighties, nineties and naughties content. YaY I now know the name of it. It is a great movie for the time period in which it was produced.
What better way to spend the end of the world than with old movies and romantic stories?
mark.waltz20 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This well done Australian TV movie starts off mainly as slice of life (or death, depending on where the apocalypse is happening at that particular time) where a group of young people hide out during a nuclear war. They are inside a gorgeous Sydney opera house with its own movie screen (and a catalogue of old silent films on sight), and playfully bicker, share stories and even get naked for an innocent game of strip poker. But reality awaits and they must find a more secure spot to prevent themselves from being blown up, or worse, surviving with great injury. While the rest of the people in the shelter scream in panic, the foursome remain strong, singing in efforts to calm others and remain calm themselves
Nicely directed and beautifully written, this was surprisingly likeable even though the prospect of the world blowing up around them is pretty depressing. There are great side cuts to their lives before all this happened, as well as a romantic period story with "The Blue Danube" and the ballet music from "An American in Paris" playing in the background. Definitely anti-nuclear war, the protest elements are quite subtle. The young people manage to come off realistically, very brave in spite of what's going on, looking on horrified as an Australian reporter emotionally describes what's going on around the world with major cities said to be no longer in existence. Definitely left me with thoughts of all the issues it deals with as well as how I would cope with such a potential catastrophe going on around me.
Nicely directed and beautifully written, this was surprisingly likeable even though the prospect of the world blowing up around them is pretty depressing. There are great side cuts to their lives before all this happened, as well as a romantic period story with "The Blue Danube" and the ballet music from "An American in Paris" playing in the background. Definitely anti-nuclear war, the protest elements are quite subtle. The young people manage to come off realistically, very brave in spite of what's going on, looking on horrified as an Australian reporter emotionally describes what's going on around the world with major cities said to be no longer in existence. Definitely left me with thoughts of all the issues it deals with as well as how I would cope with such a potential catastrophe going on around me.
It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine . . .
feelinglistless13 December 2000
This film has all the hallmarks of an early nineties indie movie. Small cast (four people). Single locale (the Sydney Opera house). Single plot thrust (the end of the world). But look at the date. 1984. So when John Hughes was messing about with teen - movies and the USA thought Tootsie was one of the greatest films of all time, Oz had greater concerns. Almost creating its own genre - the pre-apocalyptic movie - this film deftly shows what would actually happen in case of such an emergency. Nothing much. People would still go on dates. They'd probably hang out. Some sex might go on. Then everyone might die. What's so lovely about this film, is that they are real people. You can't really tell them apart. They don't have stereotypes. In fact only the navy officer really stands out. We like them because they are like us. If I was in that situation, I'd probably go a bit stir crazy. If you happen to see this film around, do go see - if nothing else you get to see what the Sydney Opera House looks like at night when everyone's gone home . . .
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