GROUND ZERO is an Australian political conspiracy thriller concerning the effects of nuclear radiation tests that were actually completed there during the 1950s. Friels stars as an amiable commercial cinematographer who comes to believe that the premature death of his father is linked to
the tests. His belief leads him to begin an obsessive search for the truth, getting help from Pleasence, an eccentric survivor of the tests, but soon running afoul of the government. Director Michael Pattinson had a fascinating premise to work with here, full of juicy opportunities for suspense,
but he lets things flag far too often. The cinematography is often stunning, especially...
Released:
1987
Rated:
NR
Length:
109 mins