Some things I liked some I did not.

Good concept, poorly executed.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Simple and effective. Without too much expense, no damages, no special effects and just a few actors. A credible story that can happen anytime. Kathleen Quinlan(remember her in"American Graffiti" ?) and Verna Bloom(Mary, Mother of Jesus in "The Last Temptation of Christ") are very natural. (both played with Telly Savalas in two different episodes of "Kojak"). All the other actors are good. Peter Graves's best role. I say this because of the final scene, when he says how much he loved his wife. John Llewellyn Moxey did a good job with minimal means. Even the rabid dogs played well under his direction. He made many successful TV series and TV films, including some that have enjoyed my childhood and my adolescence: "The Avengers," "The Saint," "Mission: Impossible" (the original series of the '60s-'70s , not those forgery with Tom Cruise), "Mannix", "Charlie's Angels", "Miami Vice".

I was 10 when I saw this on TV and I always remember how plausible the solar flare angle was. There was a massive flare in the 1850's that lit up telegraph wires around the world. If such a flare were to hit earth today it would wipe out modern electronics for at least a couple of years. Which is why NASA has a sentinel satellite parked 1,000,000 miles outside of earth orbit to monitor for flares.The Malibu beach scenery was great too and I always drive up the route shown at the end of the movie- courtesy of the plainly marked road signs- when I am in the Pepperdine area.This movie is right up there with Soylent Green, Omega Man, Stowaway to the Moon and other such cheesy 70's classics.

Palentologist Steve Anders is with his son and daughter in a cave in California when they feel earth tremors . Fearing an earthquake they run to the surface find their guide ill and the radios unable to work . Their worries escalate as they speculate a catastrophe may have hit planet Earth I saw this many years ago and despite being an American TVM made on a very limited budget it did stick in my mind and judging from the comments on this page it did make a big impression on everyone who saw it . Okay granted it doesn't push back the boundaries of the post apocalyptic genre but does what it does very well and it's nice for a change tro watch this type of story in 2013 without zombies making an appearance along the line somewhere Veteran TVM director John Llewellen Moxey manages to build up an air of suspense and mystery and it's a TVM that has ambitions to be cinematic and the scene where the Anders wander through a deserted town does have an eerie atmosphere little seen in American post apocalyptic fiction of this type . Moxey also makes impressive use of ironic sound effects as the Anders travel through a deserted city and past an empty school If there's a major problem to WHERE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE GONE ? it's the unsatisfying ending . You can the TV network having one eye on a continuing series and worried that if this TVM is self contained then that won't happen therefore we get an ending that doesn't work as being either open ended or conclusive which is a bit of a shame and ends on an unsatisfactorily flat note

I recently saw "Where Have All the People Gone?" (1974) (TV) for the first time in many years. I think Jim Arness's little brother, Peter Graves, is a very good actor but this movie is less than perfect.Steven Anders (Graves) & his family are camping. Mom Barbara (Jay MacIntosh) has returned home so we don't get to know her well until the end. Their children, David (George O'Hanlon) & Deborah (Kathleen Quinlan), are having a great time, although Deb is interested in trying a spa vacation next year.While they are in one of their caves the Anders "enjoy" an earthquake. Needless to say they evacuate immediately. Their guide, Jim (Noble Willingham), tells them that just before the quake the sun suddenly exploded like a flare. Shortly after Jim sickens. The next day he is dead. Now the walk begins. They head back to the little town their camping adventure started out in but everyone has followed Jim's example. So Steve & the kids set up to leave for home in Los Angeles in hopes of finding Mom safe & sound. They are wondering why they are still alive.Their next stop brings Jenny (Verna Bloom) into their lives. Found hidden in a VW Van, she has obviously suffered trauma from the possible loss of her family but she can't tell them, she can't talk. When David asks what they'll do with her, Deborah suggests cleaning her up, feeding her & taking her along.Then they're stopped at gun point. The Bronco & their food is stolen. The thief is trying to get to his home in Arizona. He hopes his family is O.K. David wants to get him but Steve knows how he feels.Next stop brings them to a ranch, 2 dead bodies, a wagon & a team of horses...&, of course, someone in the barn with a loaded rifle. This is where young Michael (Michael-James Wixted) comes into the picture. Steve is trying to move Jenny & Deborah out of the line of fire. David decides to get the rifle & succeeds in wrestling it away from the 10 year old. His parents are the dead ones because of the theft of their vehicles by evil doers. In a situation like this people can be at their worst. Needless to say Michael isn't feeling very trusting but Steve puts him at ease. Because of Michael we'll soon learn Jenny's story because she feels he is her son Billy & is very protective of him. The cast is good. They carry their parts well. Peter, Kathleen & George are particularly good.From the theft of the Bronco forward this movie picks up on excitement & strong emotions. I would recommend it if you don't expect too much at first. It has a slow start to say the least BUT it doesn't stay that way.