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:

The End of the World is Just the Beginning

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The score of the mirror scene where Hobson tries on a woman's nightgown contains the notorious B-A-C-H motive, the name of the composer Johann Sebastian Bach "written" with the musical notes of B, A, C and H. In Bach's native German, the note B flat is called B and the regular B is called H.

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Goofs

The Toyota truck is ruined after going off the road into the ditch, or at least immobilised. Nevertheless it is pristine in the following scene.

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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

References E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

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Soundtracks

Prelude No. 2
Performed by Kenny Burrell

User Reviews

Good Science Fiction

If you're looking for a science fiction flick that has nothing to do with little green aliens or intergalactic civil war, check out this film. A terrific story about a man waking up to find out that everybody in the world is gone. Vanished! He is the only one on Earth. A great part of the film deals with the struggle of having to be alone. Very original, very interesting, and very entertaining. Check it out.

Details

Country:

New Zealand

Language:

English Maori

Release Date:

18 October 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Quiet Earth

Filming Locations:

Clevedon, Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,825, 20 October 1985

Gross USA:

$2,123,135

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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