Z For Zachariah [Blu-ray + Digital HD]

It's a good thing that there weren't three people in the Garden of Eden, or else none of us might be around today. Love triangles seem to have been around since the time of the Garden, but the one in "Z for Zachariah" takes on special significance, since the two men competing for the affection of the same woman in this post-nuclear apocalyptic tale may very well be the last three people alive on Earth."Z for Zachariah" is based on a 1970's YA novel by Robert O'Brien, but the film differs significantly from the book (which only had two characters) and, in fact, seems more like a loose remake of a significantly better 1950's film that covered the same general subject matter, "The World, the Flesh and the Devil." In the current movie, the world has supposedly been decimated by a nuclear holocaust, but all viewers get to see in "Zachariah"'s 95 minutes is an incredibly idyllic, rustic Appalachian valley that's somehow immune to the radiation. Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) has lived on a farm in that valley her entire life and still runs the farm well enough to keep herself fed. Her solitary existence is disrupted by the arrival of two strangers, first an engineer, John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor,) and, later, a miner, Caleb (Chris Pine), both of whom had been underground since the catastrophe. Although the three try to act civilized about the entire matter, both men wind up vying for Ann's attention.For an end-of-the-world film, “Zachariah” is surprisingly low key. There are no mutants or zombies or ruthless mobs of skinhead warriors running around; in fact, other than some high radiation readings in an early scene in which Loomis accidentally bathes in a contaminated spring, no signs of anything other than a near bucolic paradise. And that’s part of the problem. Everything, including the actors, who have movie-star looks (Robbie tries to look a bit plain but never manages it), just looks far too good to have been through a nuclear disaster. In “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil,” the deserted streets of New York City were a constant reminder that something was very wrong; here, everything looks very right.Beneath this idyllic surface, however, director Craig Zobel and the actors create some intriguing conflicts. In addition to the obvious sexual tension, and the equally obvious racial tension (which is there, but less of a concern to the characters than it was in the original), there is the tension based on age, as the clearly older Loomis worries and wonders if Ann will find the younger Caleb a better catch. And there is the age-old tension about science and religion. The devout (and virginal) Ann has been rather accepting of what has happened, but Loomis, a scientist, is more concerned about the long term and has ideas for restoring power that involve a major sacrifice on Ann’s part.These tensions are all on display, although rarely openly. The script has minimal dialogue, and the pace of the movie is quite slow, so it’s left to the actors to carry the weight. Fortunately, all three are up to the task, especially Ejiofor, who has the most complex role. Still, despite the performances, the film often seems to drag, as Zobel is preoccupied with scenes such as a lengthy montage about the construction of a waterwheel for power. The film’s ending, however, is quite a stunner, especially for its abruptness, so much so that some viewers will want to replay it to be sure they didn’t miss anything.Overall, “Z for Zachariah” is decent entertainment, primarily for the actors’ performances and the relatively interesting premise. Yet it feels like a giant missed opportunity, less like any end-of-the-world film I’ve ever seen and more like a “threesome in paradise” dating reality show. I’m giving the film a marginal recommendation, but viewers really interested in this film’s concept should check out the superior “The World, the Flesh and the Devil.”.

I read almost everyone’s reviews and I have come to the conclusion that no one understands the script writer or the director and what they were trying to convey I will break it down and hope you can follow This movie portrays the beginning, you have to start from the mindset of the biblical story of Adam and Eve You have to remember the story is all about one person Ann(Eve) Is the main focus focus on Ann(Eve) that’s the battle. Adam(John) was chosen this time not created, there were three figures in the biblical story of Adam and Eve you figure out who’s who in this story And when you have that you have the movie subtle hints are given everywhere pay attention If you haven’t seen the movie read my review after. Example: whatever spirit that persuaded John to look for something outside the bunker, the same spirit recognize the presence of another, while John on his dying bed says something about get away from the door, in another scene the dog sense a presence at the door, Who’s at the door? The battle begins. Ann(eve) makes a covenant (commitment) with the Lord in her prayer Pay attention to what Caleb says about the fight, and his eyes I just solved the mystery of the end for you Big responsibilities “Things will change not just for you” In the Bible story the serpent had to separate Eve from Adam and get her by herself in order to deceive her God never interceded between the serpent and Eve he gave us humans free will to “figure it out“ She taste the sweet nectar of the forbidden fruit. The same results, deception and then shame. And the world starts over again. She’s innocent no more, God tried to make it right through Eve again but the deceiver is always lurking to destroy his plans. Ann is a farm girl she knows how animals get pregnant and give birth, Caleb gave her something to bear, his work is done he’s going on his way He leaves her with her child fatherless the situation is devastating. This may be a stretch, but she waits patiently and somberly until the breaking of her water. Brilliant! As in the days of old Ann and and John will have to bring something into this world not of his plan. Some viewers of this movie thought it was just about a love triangle, I was fooled the first time also. Writing directing acting, if you were fooled then all three are brilliant

A+++++

Really enjoyed this movie. Wasn’t available on Blu-Ray in the U.K. So happy I have it now

loved this film bit upset the dog disappeared.

Es fällt mir nicht leicht, Z FOR ZACHARIAH zu beurteilen - der Film macht vieles gut, ist aber unterm Strich etwas unbefriedigend.Vorab: ich kenne und mag das zugrundeliegende, gleichnamige Buch von Robert O'Brien bereits aus meiner Kindheit. Insofern fiel es mir recht leicht, ich auf den Film einzulassen.Positiv ist zu sagen, dass der Film handwerklich gut gemacht ist, die mitunter langen und melancholisch aufgebauten Szenen sind durchaus effektiv und auch die gesamte Optik hat etwas. Die drei Hauptdarsteller machen ihren Job auch gut und spielen ihre Rollen schlichtweg glaubhaft und intensiv.Negativ muss festgestellt werden, dass es dem Film sowohl an "Drive" wie auch an Erklärungen fehlt. Wenn man Robert O'Briens Buch kennt ist einem die Ausgangslage von Ann und die gesamte Situation klar, der Film erklärt aber wenig bis nichts und lässt den Zuschauer mitunter etwas ratlos zurück. Z FOR ZACHARIAH ist ein Film, den man (gerade wenn man den Hintergrund nicht kennt) vermutlich eher teilnahmslos guckt.Damit meine ich nicht, dass es stören würde, dass dieser Film kein Action-Feuerwerk ist - wer beim Stichwort "Endzeit" an wilde Ballereien mit Mutanten, Roadwarriors, Explosionen und Zombies denkt ist mit Z FOR ZACHARIAH ohnehin völlig falsch beraten. Aber auch als emotionaler Film mit Tiefgang konnte mich Z FOR ZACHARIAH irgendwie nicht überzeugen... einfach, weil es dem Film dann doch an dem berühmten roten Faden fehlt, welche die Motivationen der Protagonisten und ihre Situation besser verdeutlichen könnte. Schade, denn die zugrundeliegende Geschichte hätte genau das geboten, und Z FOR ZACHARIAH hätte ein besonderer Film werden können, welcher echt unter die Haut gegangen wäre.Insgesamt: wenn man das Buch kennt ist es durchaus interessant, Z FOR ZACHARIAH als Film zu sehen, aber insgesamt ist dies ein Werk, welches meiner Meinung nach hinter den Möglichkeiten bleibt und die meisten Zuschauer eher ratlos zurücklassen dürfte.

Der Film basiert auf dem Roman von Robert O'Brien. Allerdings wurde einige wichtige Passagen weggelassen, was dem Film viel Geschwindigkeit und Hintergrund raubt.Anna lebt in einem isolierten Tal. Eine (leider) nicht genauer ausgeführte Katastrophe führte zu Fallout und hat das meiste Wasser kontaminiert und die Bewohner getötet. Sie lebt allein mit ihrem Hund und einigen Nutztieren und hat mindestens 1 Winter überstanden, allerdings kaum noch Vorräte.Als der Ingenieur John auftaucht, verbessert sich ihre Situation. Sie werden zu einer Art neue Eva und Adam. Bis zum dem Tag scheint sich alles zu verbessern - doch dann taucht Caleb auf. Ein jüngerer Mann als John, ebenfalls religiöus und vor allem von weißer Hautfarbe. Mit viel Charme manipuliert er die Dreiecksbeziehung unterschwellig bis John eine Sache klar wird: einer von ihnen beiden muss weg.Der handwerklich gut gemachte Endzeitthriller kommt ohne Knalleffekte und Monster aus; allerdings ergibt sich dadurch ein langsames Erzähltempo. Viel der Romanhandlung bleibt unbeachtet, schafft aber trotzdem eine stimmige Umgebung in der Chiwetel Ejiofor und Chris Pine glänzen können. Margot Robbie bleibt wie in den meisten ihrer Rollen eher blass, obwohl das religiöse Mädchen vom Lande sicher einer ihrer besten Auftritte bisher ist.