Product Details

• Actors: Bruno Lawrence, Alison Routledge, Pete Smith, Anzac Wallace, Norman Fletcher
• Directors: Geoff Murphy
• Writers: Bruno Lawrence, Sam Pillsbury, Bill Baer, Craig Harrison
• Producers: Don Reynolds, Sam Pillsbury
• Format: Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• DVD Release Date: June 13, 2006
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000EZ908Y
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,532 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Art House & International > By Country > Australia & New Zealand

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The "last man on Earth" sci-fi sub-genre is reasonably well represented by director Geoff Murphy's The Quiet Earth, a 1985 film from New Zealand that earned plenty of Kiwi kudos in its day but still fails to measure up to the great expectations engendered by its premise. Bruno Lawrence is Zac Hobson, a techie who's involved in "Project Flashlight," a vast energy grid that allows war planes to circle the planet without ever refueling (leave it to "the Americans," who are blamed for the whole ensuing mess, to come up with such a diabolical idea). When what Zac drolly describes as "a malfunction" (thereafter known as "the Effect") occurs early one morning, he awakens to discover that he's apparently the only survivor, human or otherwise, of a catastrophe that has altered the very fabric of the universe. Lawrence is terrific in these early scenes, which find him gradually losing his marbles as the gravity of his situation sets in; wearing nothing but a woman's slip, he stands on a balcony and grandly addresses an "audience" of cardboard standups (from Queen Elizabeth and Hitler to Bob Marley and Alfred Hitchcock), declaring himself "president of this quiet Earth." But effectively sustaining such weirdness is tough, and although Murphy, to his credit, doesn't over-rely on special effects and scientific gobbledygook, the film isn't up to it. Turns out Zac isn't the only survivor, and when first a pretty young woman (Alison Routledge) and then a Maori man (Peter Smith) appear, the director tries to balance the human dynamics with the sci-fi elements (seems the Effect may not be over after all) to awkward and unsatisfying effect, and the film loses most of its momentum. As for the ending, well, safe to say that it will leave some viewers perplexed, others feeling that they've been bamboozled, and still others thinking that its mystery and lack of explicable closure are perfect. --Sam Graham

Product Description
At exactly 6:12 am, government research scientist Zac Hobson (a powerhouse performance by Bruno Lawrence of SMASH PALACE and UTU) awakens to discover that he may be the last man on earth: homes, highways and entire cities are deserted. Empty planes have fallen from the sky. Every living thing has disappeared. But for Hobson, the ultimate shock is still to come months later when he finds that he is not alone. With the addition of a beautiful young woman (Alison Routledge) and a Maori trucker (Pete Smith), the apocalypse suddenly becomes very personal. What has happened to everyone else on the planet? Why has Zac himself survived? Will sexual tension lead to sudden violence? And what is the ultimate responsibility for a man of science when the end of the world may be just the beginning?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vastly Underrated Film!, August 15, 2003

By	C. Freeman (San Leandro, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I first saw this film about 14 years ago and thought it one of the best of the 'last man on earth' type movies I'd ever seen. I just saw it several days ago, and my observation still stands.

Though all of the actors were great, Bruno Lawrence is especially magnificent as the scientist who is indirectly (or directly, depending on your point of view) responsible for wiping out the human race, as well as all lifeforms. Together, with two survivors, he sets out to destroy the energy grid that caused everyone to vanish suddenly, and which still has the potential to wipe out the remaining survivors. Time is running out on the last of the human race.

The ending, together with that haunting score and great special effects, is perhaps one of the most memorable ever.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A startling film..., June 24, 2004

By	[e-mail] (Hollister, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Quiet Earth [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Although I do wish I could get a copy on DVD here in the states (hint, hint) I wanted to share my thoughts with those having a look here.
A vivid look into one man's nightmare and awakening, but also a haunting commentary on the dangers of science without a conscience. Masterfully blended in a raw and unadorned style which makes the characters seem more alive, more real, for the lack of Hollywood glitz and glamor. No "B" movie here. Truly a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. And a film that will have you scratching your head and wondering about a great many things for years to come. After roughly 15 years I still consider this movie on a regular basis.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Classic Great DVD, September 2, 2006

By	Donald W. Stein (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

For fans of apocalyptic sci-fi The Quiet Earth is a must see. This is the story of a suicidal scientist waking up to an empty world and then finding out why this happened. The ending is atypical for movies and has you thinking long after the movie. I've traveled to New Zealand and watching the end of the world scenes in 80s Auckland was eerie.

The DVD transfer is surprisingly good considering the age of the movie. Full 16x9 widescreen with good color. The sound quality is a little off. The DVD box is really well made. The box is solid and has interesting artwork. This DVD will make an excellent collector's item.