Oil Crash

2006

1h 25m

Documentary

List

73%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

In 1956, geologist Marion King Hubbard proposed the peak oil theory: Once easily extractable oil reserves are depleted, demand will exceed supply and the natural-gas-dependent global economy will eventually collapse. This documentary argues that Hubbard was correct, drawing upon the testimony of a wide range of experts, concluding oil supplies will peak by 2020 and that alternative energy solutions will not be found quickly enough to provide a viable alternative.

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

All sorts of experts testify with some conviction, but the film's jerky structure and lack of complexity don't help.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 9, 2007

Full Review

Xan Brooks

Guardian

A horribly enlightening documentary.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 9, 2007

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

An informative and unashamedly apocalyptic documentary about the world's obsession with oil that makes An Inconvenient Truth look positively chipper.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 9, 2007

Full Review

David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

The response of the makers of A Crude Awakening [The Oil Crash] is positively Malthusian.

Feb 14, 2021

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

The facts in this documentary are astoundingly sobering, and yet society continues to keep its head buried in the sand. By avoiding any political slant, the filmmakers forcefully get the message across.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 9, 2007

Full Review

Daniel Etherington

Film4

A compelling documentary, wrought with a dry rationalism and presenting the horrifying case of the stuff that's both "the bloodstream of the world economy" and "the excrement of the devil".

Rated: 3.5/5

Nov 9, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

I think everyone should watch this, to realise how much oil we are using daily, and how much we rely on it. I don't think people fully get the extent of how much we rely on it and how bad the situation is. Would be interesting to see a follow up docu-film to see what has changed, or not changed, maybe a 10yr (2016) follow up.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Stop buying cars, if you can't afford it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Oil production has peaked and now on the decline. This documentary does a good job of explaining and supporting that statement. I give it credit for allowing the science and data stand on its own without acting as an alarmist fear mongering film pushing an agenda aggressively. It is more of a question that we need to think about now, before implementing solutions becomes more difficult. I wish more time went into considering the potential physical and social impacts of this situation and what steps the viewer can take in response to this development. It starts strong, but there are not enough points to keep it interesting the whole way through. Still the sobering message is one all people need to absorb and think about.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An informative truth.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This documentary has a somewhat different format from other environmental documentaries I have seen, as most discuss the dangers of the future, but then discuss how such dangers can be prevented; however, this film left the viewers without an answer, which was good and bad. The film was informative; and it leaves the viewer thinking even more about their personal carbon footprint.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very scary premise. And if true, I would reverse my position on the Iraq War. Rather even-handed with interviews from both Dems and the GOP, which shows that this is yet another problem too big to be fixed by either (in fact, they both are guilty of getting us to this point) and why things like this are so important.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Basil Gelpke

Director

Ray McCormack

Director

Reto Caduff

Co-Director

Basil Gelpke

Writer

Ray McCormack

Writer

Basil Gelpke

Producer

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

I.O.U.S.A.

88%

86%

I.O.U.S.A.

Into Eternity

100%

80%

Into Eternity

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

100%

85%

Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

11%

68%

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

The Unforeseen

90%

69%

The Unforeseen

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1956, geologist Marion King Hubbard proposed the peak oil theory: Once easily extractable oil reserves are depleted, demand will exceed supply and the natural-gas-dependent global economy will eventually collapse. This documentary argues that Hubbard was correct, drawing upon the testimony of a wide range of experts, concluding oil supplies will peak by 2020 and that alternative energy solutions will not be found quickly enough to provide a viable alternative.

Director: Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack
Producer: Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack
Screenwriter: Basil Gelpke, Ray McCormack
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Apr 3, 2007
Runtime: 1h 25m