Customer Reviews
Memory, madness, narrative 
2008-09-10
"The Noah" is a fascinating film. Shot in black and white and featuring but one on-screen player, veteran character actor Robert Strauss (this was his final film), the movie is ostensibly about the final survivor of a nuclear holocaust. A career army man whose entire adult life has been regulated by rules and schedules, the survivor--who begins to call himself "The Noah"--eventually invents fantasy companions (voiced by Sally Kirkland and Geoffrey "The Uncola" Holder) and, indeed, an entire world woven from memory fragments.
But it seems to me that director Daniel Bourla has a deeper message in mind than just another apocalypse story. Strauss' character gradually fragments and erodes, and this dissolution is surely an allegory for the creeping madness that led to the nuclear holocaust that is the film's backdrop. Moreover, Strauss' recreation from memory of an entire world invites the viewer to reflect on just how much of his or her understanding of reality is an accurate reflection of what actually is, and how much of it is created narrative.
The film was lost for a few years until the original 35mm negative was located and reprinted. In my copy, the soundtrack is out of sync with the visuals for the final 15 minutes or so of the film. But I don't know is this flaw is unique to my copy, or if its intrinsic to the negatives.
"The Noah" is provocative, and offers some good cinematography. The scenes involving Strauss, the imaginary army, and the rainstorm are particularly good, and the final shot is haunting. But the film is over-long--as is the rainstorm sequence--and a half hour or so could easily have been edited out. Three and a half stars.
Interesting 
2007-01-09
Being a fan of post apocalyptic movies this was a must-see for me. Though the film is bit dated, a bit long and slow, I am glad I did. It is Robinson Crusoe taken to the next level. Strange the director never made any other films.
Why Haven't I Heard of this Movie Before? 
2006-06-08
Actually, no one has heard of this movie before. Overlooked for 32 years, The Noah is the first and only film by director Daniel Bourla. And that's a darn shame.
The movie plays like a great Twilight Zone episode. Remember the episode where the bookworm wishes he were the last person on earth, so he can read all the books to his hearts content without distractions? Of course, he gets his wish. And just when he begins his book reading marathon, his eyeglasses break.
The Noah is similar, in an inverted way. After years of service in the military, The Noah (played by Robert Strauss), planned to spend his remaining years on his pension somewhere peaceful, quiet... where he could relax. Maybe a nice beach side property off the coast of Florida.
Instead, a nuclear holocaust. The Noah is swept to an exotic coast in South East Asia and is the last man on earth.
At first, The Noah almost enjoys his solitude. But quickly loneliness sets in. To cope, The Noah creates a trumpet playing Army Private named Friday. Friday inevitably becomes lonely. In good faith, The Noah creates a girlfriend for Friday whom he calls Friday Anne.
Three is a crowd when The Noah and Friday Anne don't see eye to eye. From here on out nothing holds The Noah back until he's created a school... a town... a civilization.
Watch The Noah for the interesting story, wonderful performance, interesting cinematography, and directing. You will think about it for days and days...
