The Quiet Earth (1985)
Zac Hobson (the late, great Bruno Lawrence) wakes to find he may be earth's only survivor of a catastrophic error in the secret energy project on which he's been engaged. Though the aftermath leaves him momentarily dazed, then gleefully enjoying the freedom to take anything he has ever wanted, Zac's isolation and guilt soon begins to get to him. Some of the film's most bizarre scenes see Zac proclaiming himself world dictator, trying on a little transvestitism, and finally challenging God to a duel. Later it is revealed that Zac is not the only survivor of "the effect", and with the arrival of Joanne and Api the film changes focus. This apocalyptic fantasy thriller makes the most of modest special effects, but Lawrence's eerie portrait of loneliness bordering on madness is the film's strength. Won Best Actor and Best Direction at the 1986 International Fantasy Festival. Originally released as a motion picture in 1985, based on the novel by Craig Harrison.
Primary Title
- The Quiet Earth
Date Broadcast
- Saturday 14 December 2013
Release Year
- 1985
Start Time
- 01 : 50
Finish Time
- 03 : 18
Duration
- 88:00
Channel
- Rialto Channel
Broadcaster
- Sky Network Television
Programme Description
- Zac Hobson (the late, great Bruno Lawrence) wakes to find he may be earth's only survivor of a catastrophic error in the secret energy project on which he's been engaged. Though the aftermath leaves him momentarily dazed, then gleefully enjoying the freedom to take anything he has ever wanted, Zac's isolation and guilt soon begins to get to him. Some of the film's most bizarre scenes see Zac proclaiming himself world dictator, trying on a little transvestitism, and finally challenging God to a duel. Later it is revealed that Zac is not the only survivor of "the effect", and with the arrival of Joanne and Api the film changes focus. This apocalyptic fantasy thriller makes the most of modest special effects, but Lawrence's eerie portrait of loneliness bordering on madness is the film's strength. Won Best Actor and Best Direction at the 1986 International Fantasy Festival. Originally released as a motion picture in 1985, based on the novel by Craig Harrison.
Classification
- PGR
Owning Collection
- Television Vault
Broadcast Platform
- Television
Languages
- English
Captions
Live Broadcast
- No
Rights Statement
- Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Subjects
- Survival--Drama
- End of the world--Drama
- Feature films--New Zealand
- Science fiction films--New Zealand
Genres
- Drama
- Mystery
- Science fiction
Contributors
- Geoff Murphy (Director)
- Bruno Lawrence (Actor)
- Mr. Yellowbeard Productions Limited & Company (Production Unit)
- Craig Harrison (Writer)
- Bill Baer (Writer)
- Bruno Lawrence (Writer)
- Sam Pillsbury (Writer)
- Alison Routledge (Actor)
- Pete Smith (Actor)
- Anzac Wallace (Actor)
- Sam Pillsbury (Producer)
- Don Reynolds (Producer)
- John Charles (Composer)
- Cinepro (Production Unit)
Subjects
- Survival--Drama
- End of the world--Drama
- Feature films--New Zealand
- Science fiction films--New Zealand