Just loved this movie. Quite faithful to the book and captures Shute's sense of stoic resignation (oh well, chin up old chap)and of course the almost manic obsession for one last hurrah....cue port drinking, fishing, Australian Grand Prix.... Would have liked to have seen more of the dissolving of order that Shute depicted towards the end and of course Kramer copped out a bit with the last scene of Moira on the headland as the sub sailed off (perhaps Ava taking suicide pills would not have been a good look in those days).
My only real disappointment was the score. How many variations on waltzing matilda can you fit into two hours...the ghostly rendition of the final verse as Dwight and Moira kissed in the fishing lodge was bold and the beautiful type stuff. As an Aussie I found it cringe-worthy (even allowing for the era) and Kramer I think showed a bit of naivety in his understanding of the country by pushing the tune ad-infinitum.
Also thought him heavy handed with the music in his treatment of the San Francisco, San Diego scenes and the final banner scene. Silence would have been far more effective.
Still, a tremendously powerful, though-provoking and non-sensational treatment of a topic which occupied the minds of many at the time. Really did illustrate the world ending with a whimper and not a bang.
My only real disappointment was the score. How many variations on waltzing matilda can you fit into two hours...the ghostly rendition of the final verse as Dwight and Moira kissed in the fishing lodge was bold and the beautiful type stuff. As an Aussie I found it cringe-worthy (even allowing for the era) and Kramer I think showed a bit of naivety in his understanding of the country by pushing the tune ad-infinitum.
Also thought him heavy handed with the music in his treatment of the San Francisco, San Diego scenes and the final banner scene. Silence would have been far more effective.
Still, a tremendously powerful, though-provoking and non-sensational treatment of a topic which occupied the minds of many at the time. Really did illustrate the world ending with a whimper and not a bang.