Terre interdite

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.

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.

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.

Based on a true, despicable act by the British government inflicted on indigenous and uniformed Australians, Ground Zero charts the cover up over the outback nuclear testing and subsequent fallout which took place in the 1950's.

This is a superb dramatisation which embellishes on the actual Royal Commission which took place in the mid 1980's.

Melding actual events with a fictional aspect may invite warranted scepticism, but the way in which Ground Zero plays out is compelling and superbly crafted with commendable attention to detail. It may not be the absolute truth but there's enough evidence to suggest certain action sequences weren't beyond the realm of possibility.

The acting of Colin Friels, playing the central character, cameraman Harvey Denton, whose fictional father was murdered for the damning footage he captured at the time, is ably supported by Jack Thompson and Donald Pleasance. Their impact on the quality of this film cannot be understated.

Track it down on YouTube, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Wonderful story. Great special effects and a haunting soundtrack