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
The Empy Beach (1985) is now available on Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella!
Published: 21st August 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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