Watch The Quiet Earth

The Quiet Earth is a New Zealand science-fiction film directed by Geoff Murphy which was released in 1985. The movie is based on a novel by Craig Harrison with the same title. It is one of the early films that dealt with the concept of a post-apocalyptic world, and it has since become a cult classic in the genre. The story revolves around a scientist named Zac Hobson, played by Bruno Lawrence, who wakes up one day to find himself seemingly alone in the world. When he tries to get in touch with his colleagues, he finds that communication channels are not functioning, and the city of Auckland has become eerily quiet. The streets are empty, and there are no signs of life around him.

Zac explores the city and realizes that something catastrophic has happened. The world has apparently ended, and he is the last person left alive. He is initially terrified but gradually comes to terms with his isolation as he scavenges for food and water to survive.

As he sets up routines of everyday living, Zac begins noticing other anomalies around him. For instance, he realizes that the sun is rising and setting out of sync with its usual pattern. He also observes that he can control certain events, such as electricity and the weather, through his actions. His daily routine is interrupted when he comes across two other survivors, a woman named Joanne, portrayed by Alison Routledge, and another man named Api, played by Pete Smith. They had taken shelter from a violent storm in a bunker, and Zac finds them when he is out looking for supplies.

The three survivors are all very different, and they have varying reactions to the post-apocalyptic world. Joanne is very religious and believes that the end of the world is a sign from God. Api, on the other hand, is traumatized and hysterical, finding it difficult to cope with the situation. Zac becomes the leader out of the three, and they attempt to make sense of what has occurred and work together to survive.

Over time, Zac becomes increasingly philosophical and starts to analyze his situation. He comes to realize that he may have been responsible for this event, and he sets out on a mission to try to reverse it. The climactic finale has Zac and the other two survivors coming face to face with the implications of their actions while attempting to avoid the inevitable fate of their world.

What makes The Quiet Earth an impressive film is that, despite its limited budget, it manages to create a haunting and convincing post-apocalyptic world. The movie does an excellent job of exploring the themes of isolation, loneliness, and survival, and how it can cause a person to react in unexpected ways, especially when society's structures are removed.

The cinematography is impressive, with memorable and expansive shots of the abandoned city of Auckland. The film's score is also noteworthy; John Charles's haunting, electronic compositions perfectly capture the feeling of being alone in the world.

Overall, The Quiet Earth is a remarkable film that deserves much wider recognition than it has received. It is an intense and thought-provoking movie that tackles themes of existentialism and the fragility of humanity. Even though it was shot over three decades ago, its themes and messages are still relevant to this day. It is a must-see for fans of the post-apocalyptic genre and anyone who appreciates good storytelling.

The Quiet Earth is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.