Where Have All the People Gone
A strange series of solar flares proves fatal for inhabitants of the Earth, except for the fortunate few who are somehow immune from the effects. Animals go insane and human beings turn to white powder, leaving behind only empty clothing. A handful of survivors attempt to rebuild their lives on the de-populated Earth.
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- Cast:
- Peter Graves , George O'Hanlon Jr. , Kathleen Quinlan , Verna Bloom , Noble Willingham , Jay W. MacIntosh , Ken Sansom
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Reviews
I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
Touches You
Please don't spend money on this.
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
I was 10 when I saw this on TV and I always remember how plausible the solar flare angle was. There was a massive flare in the 1850's that lit up telegraph wires around the world. If such a flare were to hit earth today it would wipe out modern electronics for at least a couple of years. Which is why NASA has a sentinel satellite parked 1,000,000 miles outside of earth orbit to monitor for flares.The Malibu beach scenery was great too and I always drive up the route shown at the end of the movie- courtesy of the plainly marked road signs- when I am in the Pepperdine area.This movie is right up there with Soylent Green, Omega Man, Stowaway to the Moon and other such cheesy 70's classics.
Peter Graves and his kids seem to be the last people on earth.No zombies! Great! If a movie like this were made today we would get zombies running all over the place, but thankfully we are free of all that! In fact, there is very limited violence here.This TV movie is not in the same class as the feature film, The Omega Man (1971), but the suspense and mystery of the whole thing will hold you from beginning to end.Also, this is not as depressing as many other films with this plot line. Nice to see Peter Graves in the lead role but some might struggle with his being so serious after seeing him in the comedy: Airplane (1980).
I recently saw "Where Have All the People Gone?" (1974) (TV) for the first time in many years. I think Jim Arness's little brother, Peter Graves, is a very good actor but this movie is less than perfect.Steven Anders (Graves) & his family are camping. Mom Barbara (Jay MacIntosh) has returned home so we don't get to know her well until the end. Their children, David (George O'Hanlon) & Deborah (Kathleen Quinlan), are having a great time, although Deb is interested in trying a spa vacation next year.While they are in one of their caves the Anders "enjoy" an earthquake. Needless to say they evacuate immediately. Their guide, Jim (Noble Willingham), tells them that just before the quake the sun suddenly exploded like a flare. Shortly after Jim sickens. The next day he is dead. Now the walk begins. They head back to the little town their camping adventure started out in but everyone has followed Jim's example. So Steve & the kids set up to leave for home in Los Angeles in hopes of finding Mom safe & sound. They are wondering why they are still alive.Their next stop brings Jenny (Verna Bloom) into their lives. Found hidden in a VW Van, she has obviously suffered trauma from the possible loss of her family but she can't tell them, she can't talk. When David asks what they'll do with her, Deborah suggests cleaning her up, feeding her & taking her along.Then they're stopped at gun point. The Bronco & their food is stolen. The thief is trying to get to his home in Arizona. He hopes his family is O.K. David wants to get him but Steve knows how he feels.Next stop brings them to a ranch, 2 dead bodies, a wagon & a team of horses...&, of course, someone in the barn with a loaded rifle. This is where young Michael (Michael-James Wixted) comes into the picture. Steve is trying to move Jenny & Deborah out of the line of fire. David decides to get the rifle & succeeds in wrestling it away from the 10 year old. His parents are the dead ones because of the theft of their vehicles by evil doers. In a situation like this people can be at their worst. Needless to say Michael isn't feeling very trusting but Steve puts him at ease. Because of Michael we'll soon learn Jenny's story because she feels he is her son Billy & is very protective of him. The cast is good. They carry their parts well. Peter, Kathleen & George are particularly good.From the theft of the Bronco forward this movie picks up on excitement & strong emotions. I would recommend it if you don't expect too much at first. It has a slow start to say the least BUT it doesn't stay that way.
My parents had gone out and I was home alone when I watched this on TV many years ago, lol! Yes, it terrified me as I was only 8 or 9 then. I'm 41 now and would love to see it again, this time without the pillow, blankets, and dog in front of my face! It starts out with a camping trip, one like I have taken so many times with my own family, so true to life. When it's over you have to wonder if something like this could really happen, has it already happened? You have to go look out the window to make sure the world it still the same as when you last saw it. I have only seen the movie once, but it has stayed with me all these years. I think you can get it on DVD now, but if not, find an old VCR & watch it!