(35mm, New Zealand, 1985)

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 nowin 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

Credits
Production co: 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 Bartl

Camera operator: Paul Leach
Editor: Michael Horton
Sound: Mike Westgate

Special effects: Ken Durey
With: Bruno Lawrence (Zac Hobson), Alison Routledge (Joanne), Pete Smith (Api)