The Quiet Earth (1985)

A man awakens to find himself alone in the world.

Director:

Geoff Murphy

Writers:

Craig Harrison (novel), Bill Baer,

Stars:

Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Pete Smith

10 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bruno Lawrence	...	Zac Hobson
Alison Routledge	...	Joanne
Pete Smith	...	Api (as Peter Smith)
Anzac Wallace	...	Api's Mate
Norman Fletcher	...	Perrin
Tom Hyde	...	Scientist

Storyline

A man wakes up to find himself literally alone in the world, and goes about trying to find other survivors, as well as to find out what happened. He suspects that a government research project he was involved in had something to do with the disappearance of everyone. Eventually he finds several other people, and once they begin to trust each other they try to figure out why they were left on earth.

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Plot Keywords:

apocalypse | laboratory | hair dryer | experiment | maori | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Mystery

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Terra Tranquila

Filming Locations:

New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,595,097 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinepro, Mr. Yellowbeard Productions Limited & Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the novel "The Quiet Earth" the effect does not penetrate water. This may explain why Api survived as he was submerged when the effect occurred.

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Goofs

In the scene where Zac cries "aaa!" in the cathedral, you can see a white car passing in the distance.

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Quotes

Joanne: God blinked, and the whole world disappeared.

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Crazy Credits

During the closing credits the scene cuts to a close up of Zac Hobson staring in stunned disbelief at what he's beholding. Then he realizes he's still holding his mini-tape recorder in his left hand, and after a moment of contemplation lets it drop to his side, as if there are no words to describe the sight.

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Connections

Referenced in 28 Days Later... (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Prelude No. 2"
Performed by Kenny Burrell

User Reviews

Quite A Quiet Film

This film is a lost gem.

Not many (or not nearly enough) have seen it and those who have mostly love it. Director Geoff Murphy's film career has gone right into the proverbial john since making this. Oh, he's still working, sure, but his later works (some of them) can't compare to this masterwork.

But if you like Last Man On Earth type movies this celluloid slice of sci-fi cherry pie is for you! It has one of those endings that will leave you dazzled and puzzled. It doesn't try and tie up all the loose ends and questions like a lot of films do. Its much like a Kubrick film in that respect.

Hopefully The Talented Mr. Murphy will make a film as good as this again someday. Here's hoping! And I loved the ass shot of the beautiful, milky skinned redhead (Alison Routledge) as well. Talk about cherry pie. Yum.

You will like the aforementioned shot too. If you swing that way.