Five

"Five" is a ground-breaking post-apocalyptic dramatic film released in 1951. An engrossing fusion of science fiction, drama, and horror genres, the movie was written, produced, and directed by Arch Oboler. This underrated gem stars William Phipps, Susan Douglas Rubes, James Anderson, Charles Lampkin, and Earl Lee.

The plot premise is intense and gripping—five survivors in a world gone awry after a nuclear apocalypse. The title of the movie, "Five," refers to these last known people alive on earth. The story, set in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, is an exploration not just of survival but of the human spirit's resilience and adaptability amidst unimaginable chaos and devastation.

"Five" takes an original, thoughtful approach to a genre around which many stereotypes have been developed, featuring the enthralling performances of the small cast. William Phipps plays Michael, an intellectually driven man who has survived by being in an elevator at the Empire State Building when the cataclysmic event unfolded. Simultaneously rational and emotional, Michael stands out as the voice of reason and humanity.

The film introduces us to Roseanne, played by Susan Douglas Rubes, who fortuitously survived the disaster while in a lead-lined X-ray room at a hospital. Roseanne, pregnant at the onset of the devastation, is a complex character battling her fears and insecurities while trying to brace for motherhood in the new, eerie world order.

James Anderson plays Eric, a rugged mountain climber who was shielded from the blast by an overhang on a cliff face. Eric embodies raw human instinct and survival, teetering on the borderline of morality.

Providing a ray of wisdom and insight into the human condition is Charles, a black man and a bank teller before the unsettling event, portrayed by Charles Lampkin. Earl Lee brings to life the character of Mr. Barnstaple, an older gentleman who survived by chance while fishing.

The film's primary set, an architecturally stunning house on a cliff, serves as the stronghold and symbol of civilization's remnants. Abandoned, eerie, yet oddly inviting, the house is a character in its own right, embodying the physical and emotional sanctuary for the survivors.

Imaginative for its time, "Five"'s plot is propelled forward not by extravagant visuals or sensational theatrics, but by the interplay of personalities within the small group of survivors. Tensions arise as the survivors grapple with their starkly contrasting perspectives on life, morality, and survival in the midst of the profound calamity. The subsequent unfolding of events sheds light on the characters' varying abilities to endure, adapt, and reconcile with their deserted world.

To an unsuspecting viewer, "Five" might initially come off as another nuclear apocalypse film. However, beyond the surface-level doom and gloom narrative, the movie delves deep into more profound themes. It examines timeless questions about human nature, morality, the essence of survival, the endurance of the human spirit, and the potential remodeling of social norms in an obliterated civilization.

The film's brilliance lies in its simplicity. The limited cast, stark setting, and minimalistic cinematic techniques employed by Arch Oboler allow for the intense exploration of thematic depth. The overall narrative is a thought-provoking and grim reminder of the destructiveness of nuclear warfare and science's double-edged sword.

In conclusion, "Five" is a unique blend of social commentary, psychological exploration, and classic post-apocalyptic narrative. Its non-sensationalized, human-centric storytelling sets it apart from others in the genre. Far more than a simple survival story, it's a film that compels viewers to contemplate the essence of humanity and civilization in the shadow of complete annihilation.