Ozploitation Rarities Vol 3 - Scobie Malone, Goodbye Paradise, Empty Beach - 9/07/25

[DawnShadow]

Ozploitation Turns Noir in OZPLOITATION RARITIES VOL. 3, featuring Umbrella’s NEW restorations of three lost gems of Australian crime cinema—SCOBIE MALONE (1975), GOODBYE PARADISE (1982), and THE EMPTY BEACH (1985).

Newly restored in glorious high definition, these hard-boiled thrillers swap the outback horrors and grindhouse excess of previous volumes for sun-soaked corruption, political intrigue, and down-and-dirty detective work.

From Bondi to Brisbane, these gripping neo-noir thrillers paint a uniquely Australian vision of crime and deception. Restored and packed with special features, OZPLOITATION RARITIES VOL. 3 is an essential addition for fans of down-under noir, hard-boiled mystery, and classic Australian cinema.

Standard edition with softpack available from select stores. Only available from the Umbrella webstore, the Ozploitation Rarities VOL. 3 Collector's Edition includes:

A 48 page book with new writing by Paul Harris, Denny Lawrence and Andrew Nette plus a host of archival material
Rigid case artwork by Fräntz Kantor
8 poster cards
2 x A3 reversible posters
Limited Edition Numbered release

SCOBIE MALONE

A long-overlooked piece of 70s Australian crime cinema, SCOBIE MALONE is a stylish blend of murder mystery, political intrigue, and saucy entanglements. Jack Thompson stars as the charming yet tough Sydney detective, whose latest case leads him from poolside patios to the corridors of power. When a woman is found dead at the Sydney Opera House, Malone uncovers a dangerous web of corruption, blackmail, and deception. With a catchy theme song, steamy romance, and a plot packed with twists, this adaptation of Jon Cleary’s Helga’s Web captures the era’s freewheeling energy while delivering a sharp police procedural. Thompson’s effortless charisma makes Malone a captivating mix of ladies’ man and relentless investigator, navigating a world where secrets are currency and danger lurks beneath Sydney’s glittering surface.

GOODBYE PARADISE

A cult favorite of Australian neo-noir, Goodbye Paradise is a sharp, sunburnt thriller that blends political satire, mystery, and offbeat humor. Ray Barrett stars as Michael Stacey, an ex-cop turned whistle-blower and reluctant private eye, drifting through Queensland with a hangover and a cynical outlook. But when an old friend’s daughter vanishes, Stacey is pulled into a bizarre conspiracy involving a free-love cult, a shadowy paramilitary group, and a radical plot to seize control of the state. Also starring Robyn Nevin, Lex Marinos, Grant Dodwell, Paul Chubb, Kris McQuade, and Mark Hembrow, what begins as a simple missing persons case soon spirals into a world of corruption, danger, and deception. As powerful enemies close in and bodies start piling up, Stacey must navigate a landscape where loyalty is fleeting, and the truth is as elusive as a cool breeze on a Queensland summer day.

THE EMPTY BEACH

Bryan Brown stars as Cliff Hardy, a down-on-his-luck private investigator hired to look into the disappearance of a businessman presumed drowned off Bondi Beach two years earlier. But when a journalist linked to the case is murdered, whispers emerge of secret recordings that could expose high-level corruption—and now, everyone wants them. As Hardy digs deeper, he finds himself caught between ruthless criminals, political operatives, and hired thugs, all willing to kill to keep the past buried. With danger closing in and few people he can trust, Hardy must stay one step ahead to uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim. Resurfacing after years in obscurity. The Empty Beach also stars Anna Maria Monticelli, Ray Barrett, John Wood, Nick Tate, Peter Collingwood, Joss McWilliam, and Kerry Mack.

Director: Terry Ohlsson, Carl Schulz, Chris Thomson

Cast: Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Judy Morris, Ray Barrett, Robyn Nevin

Extras:
Standard softpack edition available from select stores. Only available from the Umbrella webstore, the Ozploitation Rarities VOL 3 Collector's Edition includes:
A 48 page book with behind-the-scenes, experiences and art
Rigid case artwork by Fräntz Kantor
8 poster cards
2 x A3 reversible posters
Limited Edition Numbered release

SCOBIE MALONE (1975)

NEW! Audio commentary by screenwriters Stephen Vagg and Justin King
NEW! Murder At The Opera House – An interview with producer (and Scobie script supervisor) Sue Milliken
NEW! “Not Quite Hollywood” extended interviews with actors Jack Thompson, Judy Morris and Victoria Anoux
NEW! Archival Jon Cleery interview conducted screenwriter Stephen Vagg
NEW! Jack Thompson Aussie trailer reel
NEW! The High Commissioner trailer

GOODBYE PARADISE (1982)

NEW! Audio commentary with producer Jane Scott, cinematographer John Seale and screenwriter Denny Lawrence moderated by Stephen Vagg,
NEW! Tanned And Dangerous – An interview with actor Grant Dodwell
Paradise In Peril – An interview with director Carl Shultz
Goodbye Paradise TV Spot
THE EMPTY BEACH (1985)

NEW! Audio Commentary with actor Bryan Brown, producer John Edwards and production designer Larry Eastwood moderated by Stephen Vagg
NEW! Private Eye In Bondi – An interview with actor Bryan Brown
NEW! Winter By The Sea – An interview with actor Anna Maria Monticelli
NEW! Dead Quick – A documentary on author Peter Corris
NEW! Marc Hunter ‘The Empty Beach’ music video
NEW! Bryan Brown Aussie trailer reel
NEW! Theatrical trailer

Disc type: Blu-ray
No. of discs: 3
Running time: 98, 122, 90
Audio format: 2.0 DTS-HD
Format: 1080P
Colour: COLOUR
Languages: English
Aspect ratio: 16:9
Image ratio: Various
Subtitles: English
Year of Production: 1975, 1982, 1985
Release Date: 09 July 2025

Pre-order : https://shop.umbrellaent.com.au/coll...2-1985-blu-ray

[mfan1986]

Very nice work by Umbrella on this. Hopefully ‘Fortress (1985)’ will get similar treatment and be a 4K UHD.

[PT Ryan]

That's a very impressive set, as usual. The Empty Beach left me cold when I watched it a year or two ago, but I look forward to those extras placing it in more context. Also looking forward to hearing Denny Lawrence on the Goodbye Paradise commentary. He worked with a class I was in about ten years ago, and he was incredibly gracious and generous with our cohort.

If they do another noir-themed set, I nominate The Big Hurt (1986) and the recently remastered Bootleg (1985). Bert Deling's Dead Easy (1983) might just squeak in thematically as well.

[LMFAObros]

These look really good will prob grab this on sale

[Aunt Peg]

Originally Posted by PT Ryan

That's a very impressive set, as usual. The Empty Beach left me cold when I watched it a year or two ago, but I look forward to those extras placing it in more context. Also looking forward to hearing Denny Lawrence on the Goodbye Paradise commentary. He worked with a class I was in about ten years ago, and he was incredibly gracious and generous with our cohort.

If they do another noir-themed set, I nominate The Big Hurt (1986) and the recently remastered Bootleg (1985). Bert Deling's Dead Easy (1983) might just squeak in thematically as well.

A few others which could help to make a few noir/crime boxsets include:

Dead to the World (1991) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101679...job_1_cdt_t_55

Grievous Bodily Harm (1988) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095255...job_1_cdt_t_66

Ground Zero (1987) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093120...job_1_cdt_t_67

The Book of Revelation (2006): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424863...job_1_cdt_t_31

Fever (1988) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095153...job_1_cdt_t_91

[mfan1986]

Originally Posted by PT Ryan

That's a very impressive set, as usual. The Empty Beach left me cold when I watched it a year or two ago, but I look forward to those extras placing it in more context. Also looking forward to hearing Denny Lawrence on the Goodbye Paradise commentary. He worked with a class I was in about ten years ago, and he was incredibly gracious and generous with our cohort.

If they do another noir-themed set, I nominate The Big Hurt (1986) and the recently remastered Bootleg (1985). Bert Deling's Dead Easy (1983) might just squeak in thematically as well.

Any more info on ‘Bootleg (1985)’ being remastered?

[PT Ryan]

Just that Brollie added the remaster to their streaming lineup a few months ago. I've previously watched a home video rip of the film on YouTube, but haven't watched the remaster as yet.

[PT Ryan]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

A few others which could help to make a few noir/crime boxsets include:

Dead to the World (1991) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101679...job_1_cdt_t_55

Grievous Bodily Harm (1988) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095255...job_1_cdt_t_66

Ground Zero (1987) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093120...job_1_cdt_t_67

The Book of Revelation (2006): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424863...job_1_cdt_t_31

Fever (1988) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095153...job_1_cdt_t_91

Ooh, very nice suggestions. Fever especially needs a remaster.