The Quiet Earth (1985)

A man named Zac Hobson awakens to find himself alone in the world. In a desperate attempt to search for others, he finds only two who have their own agenda.

Director:

Geoff Murphy (as Geoffrey 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:

last man on earth | experiment | parallel world | love triangle | post apocalypse | 

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Taglines:

On July 5th, everyone on Earth disappeared

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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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:

Clevedon, Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,825, 20 October 1985, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,123,135

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinepro, Pilsbury Productions, Mr. Yellowbeard Productions Limited & Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First New Zealand film where all the sound in the movie was performed post-sync in post-production.

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Goofs

In the "Inauguration" scene, the cutout of Hitler is seen alternately standing beside a loudspeaker and then a cutout of Nixon, and back to the speaker.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Zac Hobson: [trying to pay for gasoline] Hello... Hello... Hello?

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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

Intriguing

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Although it has some flaws such as cheap special effects and a less-than-perfect premise, it is a captivating and frightening story about being alone. The power play between the two men in the 2nd half is outstanding.

Many people are turned off by the very ambiguous ending. Personally, I loved the ending. It is the ambiguity of it that is so refreshing.