O Novo Princípio

A lot of post apocalyptic movies were made in the 70's and this is one of the worst. I can't figure out what's worst, the plot, script or acting. Interestingly the only thing I'm reminded by this movie is how over-rated Richard Harris was. As a kid I loved him in 'The Wild Geese', but except for the 'This Sporting Life' and 'A man called horse' his best movies came in 1992, 'Unforgiven'. Don't waste your time on this rubbish, it makes 'The Cassandra Crossing' look great!

There are plenty of good ideas here but they are betrayed by lacklustre direction. There is something about these 'last men on Earth' movies that I really enjoy and I am not sure exactly what it is. In common with THE OMEGA MAN and MAD MAX 2, this film posits a future in which a handful of people seem unaffected by that which has wiped out most of the world's population. This is never explained here but it is hinted that a massive global conflict, presumably nuclear, has finished virtually everyone off. It is said that the seas are poisoned and that nothing can grow on land. This gives every opportunity for scenes of scavenging for food and the joy of discovering a couple of unopened tins of peach slices. Unlike NIGHT OF THE COMET and DAWN OF THE DEAD, the holocaust happened many years in the past and thus we have no scenes of glorious looting in deserted shopping precincts. In fact it has been so long that the initial despair has worn off and a new lifestyle has developed. So much so that there are hints of a new mythology: unconnected groups of people all speak of 'Genesis' a place where fish swim in the rivers and fruit grows on the trees. Thinking about it, there is plenty of religious allusion in this film, all the way up to the somewhat abrupt ending.

Richard Harris and Alana Stewart (George hamilton's ex, and at the time Mrs. Rod Stewart) plays couple trying to survive the future where earth is pretty much dead. Now there are these normads called the ravagers that roams and kills because they are your typical bad guys. The leader is character actor Anthony James. They even play undressing the manniquin (later stolen by MAD MAX). James and his ravager's attack Harris and Stewart, and kills Stewart leaving Harris for dead. Harris in return comes back and kills James' gay sidekick making James go on a revenge trail. Harris goes on a quest for a better life meeting a messed up old army guy (art Carney), Ann Turkel, Woody Strode and Ernest Borgnine (who takes 70min to appear only to disappear in 81min). Cassel plays a nothing part as a blindman who gets stoned. The film looks real cheap and it looks like it was cut to get a PG rating. The film is very padded, but looks slopply edited near the end. In fact James seems to be gaining more new ravagers which each new scene! It's ironic that this was Hollywood's answer to the apocalypstic theme, as this and DAMNATION ALLEY killed the apocalypitic theme craze, and it took a Aussie film MAD MAX 2 3 years later to get people interested in this genre once again, causing a grut of Italian rip-offs! But nothing beats the cheeziness of the original "Hollywood" incarnation The Ravagers!

Based on an excellent book called Path To Savagery by Robert Edmond Alter and then butchered beyond recognition in typical Hollywood fashion, Ravagers is a lack-luster film pretty much from start to finish. Unconvincing matte paintings of a destroyed city starts things off and before you know it we are introduced to a forlorn Richard Harris with hang-dog face and soon-to-be-killed wife. After being sniffed out by scruffy "ravagers"and suffering loss of said wife Harris (even more mopey)takes to the road. His journey is not conducted with any sense of urgency but is marked by some striking scenery. The rocket graveyard is particularly effective. So is the ship used as a hang-out for Ernie Borgnine and his crew of authoritarian head-busters or whatever the hell they were supposed to represent. Judging by the names in the cast it is obvious that a fair amount of money was spent on the project. But the film lacks excitement. The pace drags.Richard Harris gives a bad performance. The story meanders. It is all very vague. Fans hoping for another post-apocalyptic adventure like 1975's The Ultimate Warrior will be disappointed. Ravagers is rather flat and dull. What interest it does hold owes to its 70s period flavor.

I recently viewed The Ravagers (1979) on Tubi. The plot unfolds in a post-apocalyptic society, where communities form amidst the chaos, and others aim to ravage them. We follow an older man and his female companion on a quest for a rumored oasis, facing the constant threat of ravagers.

Directed by Richard Compton (Angels Die Hard) and featuring Ernest Borgnine (Marty), Richard Harris (Unforgiven), Ann Turkel (Humanoids from the Deep), Anthony James (Unforgiven), and Alana Stewart (Delivered).

The film effectively establishes the circumstances with well-chosen settings, attire, and props, immersing viewers in the characters' challenges. However, there's a notable lack of significant events until the very end. The focus on survival and dialogue feels prolonged, with the boat segments at the end being a highlight. The boat's atmosphere is well-crafted, and though the Ravagers could have been better portrayed, the final shootout is excellently executed.

In conclusion, while the film has a promising premise and characters, the scarcity of action sequences prevents it from standing out in the genre. I would give it a 5/10 and recommend watching it once.