There is a European Blu-ray available here:

More Apocalypse-related films on Blu-ray and DVD reviewed (click review buttons to also see comparisons where applicable) from our article Films From The End of the World:

Review by Gary Tooze

Production:

Disc:

Video (both):

Audio:

Commentary:

***

In a tour-de-force sci-fi story with only three main characters, Kiwi director Geoffrey Murphy creates an interesting dynamic nuanced with shades of mysticism. When scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) experiments with a radical new power source -- a band of energy that would circle the planet -- the project goes awry and apparently wipes out all living creatures (they vanish without a trace). At first Zac adjusts by indulging himself in some of his materialistic desires, but he soon starts a serious search for other signs of human life. He discovers it in New Zealand in the form of Joanne (Alison Routledge), with whom he falls in love, and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori. The challenges the three face in order to survive, as well as their personal interactions, keep this human drama engrossing.

 

The Film: When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Pete Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind -- and whether disaster will strike again.

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

The Quiet Earth is transferred to a dual-layered Blu-ray from Film Movement. It has a max'ed out bitrate.  The 1.5 hour feature, in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, looks quite strong in 1080P. The HD exports bright colors and keen detail in the film's close-ups. I saw one untoward instance of 'thinness' and there may be a couple of others scattered in the presentation but it was minor. There is some green overcast in a few of the indoor sequences - but this may well be authentic to the original production and not a product of the transfer. This Blu-ray is very pleasing in its visual appearance. Without being too picky, I think most will be highly appreciative of the image quality.

The Arrow 1080P ratchets up a solid notch with richer, deeper, colors and more inky black levels. It is also in the 1.85:1 aspect ratio. It's the superior image showcasing more depth on a dual-layered disc - also with a max'ed out bitrate.

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

Subtitle Sample - Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

1) Film Movement - Region 'A' - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Film Movement use a DTS-HD Master 5.1 surround - with minor separations - or the option of a linear PCM 2.0 channel - both 24-bit and both in the original English language. Dialogue is clean and audible although with the Kiwi accents - optional subtitles might have been a good idea. The uplifting score is by John Charles - which he adapted this inspiring main theme into a concert piece entitled "Sunrise for Orchestra". It's quite majestic, and rousing, sounding delightful and strong via the lossless. My Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A' disc.

The Arrow gives the same option of a DTS-HD Master 5.1 and linear PCM stereo - both 24-bit. Still LOVE the score "Sunrise for Orchestra". Not change in the audio quality but Arrow do add optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

Extras :

 

 

Arrow - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
Yes, The Quiet Earth is a modest budget apocalypse film - and that genre continues to be one of my favorite. I really enjoyed it. With two very different guys and a cute gal as, potentially, the lone survivors - I was wondering if the 2015 film Z for Zachariah with Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor (that I haven't reviewed but did put on my top Blu-rays of 2015 listing) was somehow a reference to the Bruno Lawrence's Zach character in The Quiet Earth. The Film Movement Blu-ray has plenty of value with the solid a/v, commentary, booklet and a cool film to boot! I strongly recommend!

 

I continue to appreciate this cerebral post-apocalypse film more and more and loved the Arrow extras and commentary. It's the one to own - love the cover and we strongly recommend the film and this Blu-ray release. Buy now!      

Gary Tooze

December 22nd, 2016

May 17th, 2018

 

There is a European Blu-ray available here:

More Apocalypse-related films on Blu-ray and DVD reviewed (click review buttons to also see comparisons where applicable) from our article Films From The End of the World: