The Quiet Earth (1985)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Randy T

  
  Surprisingly engaging and philosophical. One of science fiction's hidden gems.

• AJ V

  
  This is one of those post-apocalypse movies. It's kind of slow, but atmospheric and weird, in a good way. I really enjoyed it.

• Curtis L

  
  Fun movie. I like how each character thought different stuff about what happened to them, and how the one guy becomes president of the world. I also love black men in the 70's, and how they go jogging in leather pants.

• Jens S

  
  A man awakes to find himself being the last man on earth. His reactions to this rather surprising development reach from confusion, over a couple of rather humorous scenes to the early stages of madness, some of which are more believable than others. The explanation for everything is… More
  A man awakes to find himself being the last man on earth. His reactions to this rather surprising development reach from confusion, over a couple of rather humorous scenes to the early stages of madness, some of which are more believable than others. The explanation for everything is rather nonsensical and once we discover he isn't alone one has to wonder if people would really act the way some characters occasionally do. However, the atmosphere is pretty gloomy and the general idea really interesting, it all makes for an entertaining movie after all. Only the solution kinda leaves you wondering what the heck was going on.

• Eric B

  
  I would dread writing a professional review of "The Quiet Earth," because if I were seeing this New Zealand film for the first time, I wouldn't want any pre-knowledge of its content beyond the fundamental premise: a research scientist wakes up one morning and finds that… More
  I would dread writing a professional review of "The Quiet Earth," because if I were seeing this New Zealand film for the first time, I wouldn't want any pre-knowledge of its content beyond the fundamental premise: a research scientist wakes up one morning and finds that the global energy project he works on has malfunctioned and vaporized everyone else on Earth. On the other hand, if you're viewing this film's Flixster page, you see a cast list of more than one person and an official trailer that shows the three main characters. So, it's no secret that scientist Zac eventually discovers at least two other survivors: an attractive redhead and a Maori brute. With this preamble out of the way, let's say "The Quiet Earth" spends most of its time making the viewer imagine what he would do if he were alone on Earth and had all of civilization as his personal playground. The filmmakers create a convincing depiction of an empty metropolis, and we see Zac both indulge himself with empty luxury and, more pragmatically, try to diagnose what went wrong and see if there is any solution. The other two characters behave less wisely, which is somewhat frustrating, but perhaps they should be forgiven -- after all, they're not scientists. But whatever misgivings the film accumulates are largely erased by an awe-inspiring close that is "2001: A Space Odyssey"-like in its majesty and provocative ambiguity. And up until those final minutes, you'll have no idea where the story is headed. So, please be patient. This review could not be complete without adding that composer John Charles turns in a classy, orchestrated score that perfectly accents the story's poignancy.

• Walter M

  
  "The Quiet Earth" starts at 6:11 am with Zac Hobson(Bruno Lawrence) lying naked on a bed in a motel. At 6:12, the world changes and he soon discovers that he is the only person left. Much to his dismay, he finds that it may have had something to do with his job as a… More
  "The Quiet Earth" starts at 6:11 am with Zac Hobson(Bruno Lawrence) lying naked on a bed in a motel. At 6:12, the world changes and he soon discovers that he is the only person left. Much to his dismay, he finds that it may have had something to do with his job as a research scientist at Project Flashlight. He does not give up hope for survivors, broadcasting on the radio and putting up signs but no response, even as he moves into a classier neighborhood. With nobody around, he dresses in women's clothing which is followed by insanity. Then, his world changes again. "The Quiet Earth" is an engaging and low tech science fiction movie that takes a creative approach to depicting a suddently empty world with one memorably trippy effect.(And relax, there are explosions.) This was made in 1985 when the Cold War was still ongoing. At this point there were scientific proposals like the Strategic Defense Initiative which was some sick person's idea of a good time. So, not only did people have to be afraid of nuclear weapons but also of scientists playing god by coming up with more creative nightmares. To reinforce this notion, the movie does have it share of religious imagery and themes. And I especially liked the ending, even if I have no idea what it is supposed to mean.

• Barry L

  
  Extremely odd aussie movie I saw when I was a little drunk.....still good film though.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings