THE BEAUTIFUL END OF THE WORLD

Germany, 1984, 90 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Rainer Erler.

The Beautiful End of the World is a German telemovie seriously concerned about conservation issues. However, the title refers to Australia and uses Australia and its openness and vastness as a symbol for innocence and corruption in terms of industrial pollution. The characters and the action are rather melodramatised - not particularly persuasive dramatically. Moreover, the message behind the film is certainly very earnest. There are attractive scenes of Perth and Western Australian locations. Direction and writing is by Rainer Erle who showed a similar concern in the more densely plotted and concerned film set in South America, Plutonium.

1. An interesting drama about conservation and pollution issues? German television film-making? For German audiences? World-wide?

2. The background of German sequences and those in Singapore (with tourist location sequences)? The Australian locations, Perth, the Outback in Western Australia?

3. The opening of the film with the Australian group singing the song about conservation? The praise of Australia, the lyrics, conservation concern? Ruben and Brant listening and going to Australia, industrial deals, production of pesticides? The visuals of the German freeway and factories and pollution? The comments about the banning of pesticide production in Europe and in other countries? Intentions to exploit Australia? Secrecy?

4. Tichmel Brant and his ideas, going on the mission? The flight, encountering Elaine, asking her to show him round? The taxi and his being taken to the house and being bashed? Hospital, police interrogation? identifying Elaine? Going to the business office, the real estate deals? Contacts in Sydney?

5. The land and its terrain, the possibilities of building processing works? Australia and the vastness of its population, the isolation of Perth? Government reaction, international laws, the time taken for governments to register protests - and the possibilities of exploitation?

6. Craig and the gang, the attack on Brant? Bashing him? The threats? The fire, Elaine and the rescue? Going off secretly with Elaine, companionship, hotel, sexual relationship? (Credible in such a quick time?)

7. The discussions with Elaine, his gradual change of heart, the encounters with Craig?

8. Ursula's arrival, her hostility, suspicions? The clash between the two? Working together? Their being taken, left stranded in the Outback, finding the house, the water, the helicopter chase and rescue?

9. Michael and Ursula and the talking of issues, pollution, chemicals, finance?

10. Craig and the explanation, Michael needed as witness? The two toughs being in the employ of a rival chemical company? Michael's change of heart, the visa for Singapore, money deals and arrangements, the return?

11. Meeting Elaine, the decision to start a new life in Australia? How persuasive the situations and characters? How important the message?