The Quiet Earth (1985/Umbrella Entertainment/Region Zero/0/PAL)
Picture: C+
Sound: C Extras: C+ Episodes: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on
machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Zero/0 PAL format
software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment at the
website address provided at the end of the review.
Less a Science Fiction film than a drama with some action,
Geoff Murphy’s The Quiet Earth (1985) has a man (Bruno Lawrence
in a decent performance) wake up one morning and find the world empty and
wrecked. He is a scientist who expected
this would happen and walks around trying to disprove his scientific
theory. Things become more complicated,
but the moments he is alone are early and the best in the film.
As it
moves on, it becomes mixed and even sometimes contrived, trying to say things
and not know how. Also, as compared to The Omega Man (1971, reviewed elsewhere
on this site) is not as good, but is on par with the Will Smith I Am Legend (also on the site) for
better and worse. I ultimately did not
by the conclusion either, but the acting is good and New Zealand locations a
plus. The Quiet Earth is not totally successful, but is worth a look.
The anamorphically
enhanced 1.85 x 1 image is not bad, but not as detailed and clean as it could
be for even a film its age. Still, it
has a unique look and some good cinematography by Director of Photography James
Bartle. The Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is
weak, compressed sound that was likely once stereo. Extras include a theatrical
trailer and audio commentary by Writer/Producer Sam Pillsbury that is very
informative about the film and country it was made in.
As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import
exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
- Nicholas Sheffo
