48 minutes of chaos: singing villains, drugged cops, and a kid with anti-gravity. What could go wrong?
Evil Eva and her cronies threaten to blow their enemies sky-high by reactivating the Rangitoto volcano with a nuclear device. However, the goofy gang isn't all bad - they like to break into song and dance while holding the city for ransom. Who will save the city from destruction? Why a talented trio of kids, including a nutcase who has invented an antigravity machine. The police force, zonked out on Eva's drugged coffee, are made ineffectual.
Direction
Donaldson's debut before Hollywood came calling
Practical Effects
Junkyard anti-gravity machine, zero budget, maximum charm
Acting
Ian Mune's U-Boat Commander commits to the bit
Director
Roger Donaldson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Roger Donaldson made this for $10,000 NZD, then used it to launch a Hollywood career directing Tom Cruise in Cocktail.
Shot on location in Auckland with real Rangitoto looming in background—essentially a home movie that became national film history.
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