Ground Zero

An intelligent thriller is a rare thing these days, at least on the evidence of this well-intentioned but pedestrian story of nuclear paranoia and bureaucratic conspiracy, in which an innocent Australian cameraman uncovers a few radioactive skeletons in the closet of his country's atomic testing program. The Aussie government apparently has been hiding the details about native Aborigine victims of radiation fallout, but because the secret is out at the beginning of the movie there's no surprise and very little suspense: each new development in the already linear plot is introduced in sequence, with handy cues of ominous music to help viewers connect the dots. The script relies too much on convenient expository bulletins (television news broadcasts; telephone answering machine messages; home movies and so forth), and identifies too strongly with its hero, who like any unassuming TV cameraman is transformed into James Bond when under stress. A strong cast and attractive wide screen photography can't hide the wasted opportunity to expose an ugly true story and turn it into compelling fiction.

While Ground Zero moved rather slowly at some points, the overall tone of the feature brought out a natural suspense that was both unique and different. While we Americans get caught up in the nuclear history of our own country, this film brought about a new perspective, albeit a darker and more sinister one.

Colin Friels had an exceptional performance in this movie, which few Americans seem to care about watching considering the low returns. The ending was also rather surprising, just when you felt the story had ended and everything was for naught. This is one of those forgotten eighties films that I'll be sure to remember.

One of the 80s best Aussie films. It is a stunning piece of filmmaking. Take it from me, this is worth crawling over broken glass to see. Great electronic, ethereal music.

Interesting and involving as this film is, one feels something is missing from it. I really like this film, the photography out there in the dunes with those crystals (rocks) is a beautiful image etched in my mind. Friels and Thompson, who you don't see nearly enough in this, do us solid, and other performances grab us too, like the creepy Fachney, a seedy ASIO soy who even shows up as an extra in a commercial, Friels's character happens to be filming in the film's starting, a scene I loved, where the hot dog ad, all goes all to s..t Ground Zero just doesn't achieve full standing, or doesn't hit it's mark, and I think this largely is due to the screenplay structure, or not enough information was poured into the script. Regardless, it's still a riveting view. There's moments in this film, some quite creepy, that stay with me, like that nosey neighbour, prying on Friels all the time, through the gap of open door, and why is it, Friels has to use a boot to open his door of his apartment/work space, instead of just using his key. It's final scene really throws ya, where initially Friels lucks out again, with with those ASIO people. Quite a fine Aussie film, and one that should be seen, especially for people personally close or took a vested interest in the Maralinga affair, and those British A bombs. Great fitting music scores, which are eerily memorable.

Superior film which is based on a real-life incident. My husband and I kept catching the end of this film on cable, arrested by the spooky music and harsh photography, and were dying to see the entire movie since just seeing the end made no sense to us. When we finally did see the entire film, we both agreed it was one of the best that we'd ever seen and we've watched it many times since.

The film is set in Australia, which immediately takes it out of our American context and into an unknown place. A plane is found, still highly radioactive, buried in the desert; no one knows why but it's been there for over 30 years. There's a skeleton inside, also unknown. There is a human rights trial that runs through the entire film, which attempts to place the blame for nuclear testing within the Aboriginal lands on the Australian government, who are denying it. There are also a lot of Australian agents trying to find something that the hero's father hid long ago just before he "drowned"; something that would clearly show that the Australian government knew and in fact approved of the testing.

Colin Friels is marvelous as the protagonist/hero; he is acted upon, but he is ultimately aware of this and begins to turn the tables. Donald Pleasance is wonderful as a handicapped war veteran who Colin goes to for help in his quest to find out what happened to his father. Donald lives in a kind of geodesic dome structure in the middle of the Australian desert, which he's decorated inside and out with his own apocalyptic paintings.

Due to Donald's hints, Colin finally realizes who is behind his father's murder and he sets out across the vast Australian desert to an Aboriginal holy place. What he finds there is both an ending, as well as a possible beginning to another part of the story.

It is not, however, the end or solution to this ingenious movie, and I would not reveal that for the world. It's too good to spoil here. You must rent, buy or borrow this film and watch it yourself to see exactly how the movie ends, and you won't be disappointed. It is an incredible masterpiece, and I recommend it to everyone.