The Time Guardian

Seeing the names Hemdale and Antony I.Ginnane, producers of B grade fare such as The Survivor and Harlequin, in the opening credits immediately tells one what to expect from this sci-fi movie and it does not fail to deliver. Tom Burlinson, best known as the star of The Man From Snowy River throws off his Dryzabone and dons some dodgy futuristic gear in order to save his people, the last remnants of human kind, from evil cyborgs.

Emulating the Star Wars style of space epic, not surprisingly, it falls far short of that film, marred by poor acting, awful dialogue and some really bad costume design and art direction. Unfortunately it is not in the so-bad-it's-good category, having a certain degree of competence, and is now of interest as the first and as yet only attempt to set a sci-fi epic romance in Australia (in typical Ginnane fashion, with an eye on US sales, American actors, Dean Stockwell and Carrie Fisher are thrown into the mix). For this Hemdale and Antony Ginnane deserve some credit even though the project, which had an $8 million budget, seems fatally misguided.

Penned by Hannant (who had been a writer for Mad Max 2) with John Baxter, the story is generic stuff, contriving to bring time-traveller Ballard to 1988 Australia (the film was shot in South Australia), assigned to establish a landing place for The City, a giant space station which is home to his people. He meets a pretty geologist (Nikki Coghill, looking like she'd just come from making a line dancing video) and from there the pieces fall into place with dire predictability. Burlinson, despite trying to be a tough guy, is dreadfully miscast, his lack of the requisite world-saving machismo only ecacerbating the defects of the production. The film was recut and partially re-shot after Hannant, who has not directed or written for another film since, left the production. He disowned much of what was finally released although one cannot imagine this ever having been much better.

DVD Extras: Brand New 16:9 widescreen transfer; Theatrical Trailer

Available from: Umbrella Entertainment

 

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