The Quiet Earth

A global experiment malfunctions, leaving one of the scientists alone in a world where every living thing has disappeared.

The Quiet Earth, New Zealand, 1985

Cinepro / Pillsbury Films
Director: Geoff Murphy
Producers: Sam Pillsbury, Don Reynolds
Assistant director: Lee Tamahori
Art director: Rick Kofoed
Screenplay: Geoff Murphy, Sam Pillsbury, Bill Baer, Bruno Lawrence
From the novel The Quiet Earth by Craig Harrison
Photography: James BartlCamera operator: Paul Leach
Editor: Michael Horton
Sound: Mike Westgate
Special effects: Ken Durey

With: Bruno Lawrence (Zac Hobson), Alison Routledge (Joanne), Pete Smith (Api)

35mm, 90 minutes, PG

Watch The Quiet Earth Trailer (10MB)

A global experiment malfunctions, leaving one of the scientists (Bruno Lawrence) alone in a world where every living thing has disappeared. He begins a frantic search for other survivors and pursues the pleasures of wealth and excess in circumstances where wealth is no longer relevant. Amidst a growing realisation that the forces unleashed by the experiment have created an instability in the universe he occupies, he discovers two other survivors; one of them a woman.

“He’s been compared to Marlon Brando. Jack Nicholson once referred to him as his favourite actor. And now Hollywood critics are raving about his latest role in The Quiet Earth.” — Tapu Misa, ‘Bruno’, More, February 1986

“With his muscular body and his brooding, intelligent eyes, New Zealand actor Bruno Lawrence is an electrifying screen force. In Smash Palace that power was a mixture of sexual aggressiveness and almost primal paternal love. In Heart of the Stag he was the sensual outsider come to rescue a young woman from the thrall of incest. And now in The Quiet Earth, he is one of the world’s network of thinker-scientists who have precipitated a nasty global accident. Where would the screen be without the ‘unthinkable’ world crisis? As empty as The Quiet Earth without the energy and the presence of Lawrence. From first image to last, he dominates this thoughtful last-man-on-Earth thriller, whose screenplay he co-wrote with Bill Baer and the film’s co-producer, Sam Pillsbury.” — Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times, 18/10/1985

“Geoff Murphy has taken a man-alone theme and turned it imaginatively to strong and refreshing effect in The Quiet Earth... Murphy really shows his commercial spurs in a film with a contemporary setting yet containing elements of sci-fi futurism. A cast of three might spell doom for a less accomplished and innovative hand. Murphy makes it seem an asset. The plot centers on scientist Zac Hobson who wakes one morning to discover he is alone in the world. A global top-secret energy project he has been working on has malfunctioned and altered the fabric of the universe. While humanity appears to be wiped out, all its materialistic trappings remain. For a time, Zac lives out his fantasies. Then begins a search for other survivors. He finds two – a woman, Joanne, and a man, Api. The emotions unleashed by this trio in their struggle for survival propels the story, which has an intriguing mystical dimension, to a shattering conclusion. The film is notable for high production values: photography, special effects, sound mixing and music are among the best-integrated of any Kiwi feature to date. Acting isn’t far behind. Lawrence, a veteran of NZ films turns in a performance that is funny and moving, while Pete Smith makes a bold debut. But it is Alison Routledge who is the real find. Possessing a special, delicate, Maddona-like beauty, she invests Joanne with sparky intelligence and strength.” — Mike Nicolaidi, Variety, 15 May 1985

“… As casting consultant, Lawrence invited Jack Nicholson to the party but he wanted $4 million and 15 percent of the gross. Lawrence thought laterally. ‘I cast my mind around the world and thought of all the actors I knew of and came up with the one actor who could play Zac. That was me’ … Bruno Lawrence has some great moments in the first third of the film as Zac, alone in a world which he has played a part in depopulating, kaleidoscopes through a jumble of intense emotions – despair, guilt, hatred, disbelief. There are some lovely droll moments too. Zac has a quirky sense of humour and in one of his phases he’s like a kid in a toyshop – dressed in cop clothes he prowls the streets in a police car, moving into an upmarket house he wallows in luxury, in St Matthew’s church he shoots the christ on the cross, commando style, then informs the emptiness, ‘And now I am God.’ … Visually the film is splendid… The opening and dying scenes in The Quiet Earth are breathtaking. Using light (and its absence), wide angle lenses, carefully manipulated colour effects, odd camera angles and skilful juxtaposition of space and matter Bartle’s brilliance gives the film an artistic dimension that will ensure its place in the top ranks of New Zealand filmmaking.” — Helen Martin, NZ Listener, 15 February 1986

Screenings: The Quiet Earth screened on 20, 28-30 June 2012; on 28 November as the Archive's contribution to "buy nothing day"; on 7 May 2009; on 13 July 2007 as part of a season honouring Bruno Lawrence; and on 13 February 2006 as part of a season selected by Mike Nicolaidi