The Empty Beach (1985) - Walkden Entertainment

The Case Begins

Cliff Hardy (Bryan Brown) is a skilled private eye who makes a living taking on various jobs. Marion Singer (Belinda Giblin) is seeking his help with a bizarre case- Marion’s husband, John, a businessman, mysteriously disappeared from Bondi Beach. Cliff is offered a generous sum of money, and Marion is confident he is the perfect man for the task, especially given his uncompromising attitude and no-nonsense manner. Cliff accepts the job and begins his investigation.

A World of Corruption

However, as Cliff begins to investigate, he soon realises there is more to this case than an odd disappearance. Something far larger is at play, and he finds himself in a world filled with dangerous people, corruption, liars, and influential crime leaders. Yet, thanks to Cliff’s determination, he pushes forward to uncover the truth even if it kills him in the process.

From Page to Screen

The Empty Beach is a thriller and Ozploitation film directed by Chris Thomson, whose other work includes Trucks (1997), The Delinquents (1989), Moving Target (1988), and many more. Fun fact- The Empty Beach is also based on a popular novel of the same title by Peter Corris, which was released in 1993.

Bryan Brown as Cliff Hardy

I loved the character Cliff Hardy, and this is all thanks to actor Bryan Brown, who is having a great time in the role. He is loud, witty, confident, quick-talking, and humorous in all situations. His interactions with others are constantly engaging, and they are by far the biggest strength of the film, especially when he shares playful banter with police officer Parker, played by John Wood, as the two rarely agree on each other’s professional methods. Hardy is also likable enough that you want him to succeed and survive by the end of the film. His determination in the case and his commitment to doing what is right are admirable and add to his appeal.

Pacing and Plot

When it comes to pacing, I felt the film started well. It not only introduced its leading hero wonderfully, but it also moved quickly into the plot. Like Hardy himself, there was no nonsense in this story. The second act delivered strong reveals, placing Hardy in an even bigger world of danger, but by the third act, I found the finale disappointing, and some plot details felt so large that they became slightly convoluted. Various showdowns, on the other hand, were rewarding, and the film closed well enough that you are left hoping to see Hardy return for another case and mystery. The Sydney setting also worked beautifully as the backdrop, providing a refreshing location for a neo-noir type of story.

Final Verdict

Overall, as an Ozploitation film, this is a standout. Bryan Brown is easily the strongest aspect of the production, bringing a likeable private eye to life with charm, confidence, and humour. It is a character that I wish had sparked more films, but sadly, this never happened. It is also terrific to see Sydney, Australia, as the primary backdrop for this neo-noir style thriller. I enjoyed the film’s setups and character introductions, and the story evolves into something far larger than its opening outline suggests. However, apart from some exciting showdowns, The Empty Beach does not quite stick its landing. The plot adds a level of complexity that becomes too big to tie up neatly. That being said, it remains a ripper of Australian cinema and is well worth watching, especially if you are seeking a classic murder mystery.

The Empy Beach (1985) is now available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!