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Drama Cult Classic

Three survivors emerge from the sea to a world where everyone else has perished.

LAST WOMAN ON EARTH

They fought for the Ultimate Prize!

1960 · 1h 11m · NR · Drama / Horror / Mystery / Romance / Science Fiction · IMDB TMDB

Ev, along with her husband, Harold, and their lawyer friend Martin, are scuba diving while on vacation in Puerto Rico. When they resurface, they gradually conclude that an unexplained, temporary interruption of oxygen has killed everyone on the island maybe even the world!

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Vault Note

Proof that surviving the end of the world doesn’t mean escaping legal trouble—or awkward vacation company.

Programmer's Pick

Roger Corman corrals drama, romance, and the end of the world into a lean 71 minutes, setting his existential showdown against the sun-drenched ruins of Puerto Rico. A scuba trip gone wrong leaves three survivors to pick through humanity’s leftovers—and each other’s motives.

— SassyFlix Programmer
Quick Answer
What is Last Woman on Earth about?

Last Woman on Earth is a 1960 Puerto Rican-American drama, horror, mystery, romance, and science fiction film directed by Roger Corman about three people who, after a scuba diving trip in Puerto Rico, discover that a mysterious event has wiped out the rest of humanity.

Details & Specs
Director
Roger Corman
Writer
Robert Towne
Release
1960
Runtime
1h 11m
Country
Puerto Rico, United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
La última mujer sobre la Tierra, The Last Woman on Earth, L'ultima donna sulla Terra, La última mujer en la Tierra, La dernière femme sur terre

Synopsis

Harold Gern (Antony Carbone), a successful businessman from New York who is constantly in legal trouble, is spending a holiday in Puerto Rico with his attractive wife, Evelyn (Betsy Jones-Moreland), whom he married "between trials." They are joined by Martin Joyce (Robert Towne, billed as Edward Wain), Harold's lawyer, who has come to discuss the latest indictment.

Harold invites him along on a boat trip during which all three try out some newly bought scuba diving equipment. When they resurface, they are unable to breathe without using their scuba tanks. They climb back into their boat and find Manuel, the crewman, dead, apparently of asphyxiation. Upon rowing ashore, they enter the jungle. With their air running out, they discover that the foliage gives off oxygen that they can breathe.

When they go into town, they find nobody left alive and cannot contact anyone by radio. It dawns upon the three that they might be the only survivors in the area, maybe in the world. The domineering Harold takes charge. They concentrate on becoming self-sufficient, and the two men fish, as marine creatures have survived. Later, they also find living insects and baby chicks, presumably newly hatched. Harold feels that in the long run, they will have to move north to a colder climate to avoid problems with insects and food preservation and to increase their chances of meeting other survivors.

Harold asserts ownership of Eve as the husband. Martin reminds him the rules have changed. Eve has never felt love from Harold and was only a possession. She finds freedom. Harold and Martin have a physical fight after Martin has slept with Eve. She tells her husband she was not raped. Harold gives Martin two hours to leave. Eve wants Martin to ask her to come with him and he does. The two leave together and Harold follows in a chase to the boat. Harold beats up and kills Martin. He holds out his hand to Eve and the two go together.

Why Cult

Post-Apocalyptic Puerto Rico

The film trades radioactive wastelands for sun-bleached island locales, as its trio navigates an emptied Puerto Rico.

Scuba Survival Premise

The apocalypse kicks off underwater, as scuba gear becomes the dividing line between life and sudden extinction.

Corman-Towne Collaboration

Director Roger Corman and writer/actor Robert Towne (billed as Edward Wain) deliver a tight, genre-blending cocktail.

Relationship Triangle

With humanity wiped out, the film zeroes in on the shifting dynamics between a husband, his wife, and their lawyer.

Cast & Crew

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Director: Roger Corman Writer: Robert Towne

Scene Gallery

Trailers & Clips

Questions from the Vault

What is Last Woman on Earth about? +

Last Woman on Earth follows three people who, after a scuba diving trip in Puerto Rico, discover an unexplained event has killed everyone else, leaving them to face the aftermath and each other.

When was Last Woman on Earth released? +

Last Woman on Earth was released in 1960.

Who directed Last Woman on Earth? +

Last Woman on Earth was directed by Roger Corman.

How long is Last Woman on Earth? +

The runtime of Last Woman on Earth is 71 minutes.

What genre is Last Woman on Earth? +

Last Woman on Earth blends drama, horror, mystery, romance, and science fiction.