On the Beach (1959)

Amazing cast, Great movie, Depressing subject

Based on Nevil Shute's classic, the world is on the tail-end of self termination. As a result of a nuclear war between the super powers of the 1960s, the only people left alive are in the Southern hemisphere, eagerly spending their last days while agonizingly anticipating the end. Nuclear fallout, radioactive dust actually, is drifting southward. On the Beach follows the final days of a few Naval men, a drunk changing her ways, and a scientist who knows the minutia of the impending doom.

The cast for this movie is absolutely epic. Gregory Peck plays a nearly perfect submarine Commander Dwight Towers; he's stoic, has a composed, military manner, and he's a born leader. As an American sub commander working with the Australian Navy, he fits the bill perfectly. When invited to the home of his Aussie liaison officer and his wife - Lt. Cmdr. Peter Holmes' (played by a very young Anthony Perkins) and Mary Holmes (Donna Anderson) - for a weekend, all are worried Dwight will become nostalgic and disconsolate about his family in the U.S. Their plan: match Dwight up with the local lush, Moira Davidson (Ava Gardner). Gardner is porcelain-skinned and beautiful, but she's either showing signs of aging or playing into the role of a drunk fairly well. Last but not least, Fred Astaire turns in a compelling performance as Julian Osborne, a deep-thinking scientist who appears to be introspectively remorseful about his fellow scientists' role in the creation of nuclear weapons.

The black and white film quality is superbly remastered, with very little video degradation, jumps, or white specks, as well as some top-notch audio. In fact, the audio may be a bit over the top and the sound effects too loud. The plot-line itself is nearly identical to the book, something I very much appreciate.

Overall it's a great representation of black and white cinema, with an unreal cast, some needed scenes of levity, and a peculiarly interesting, albeit somber topic. The themes, realism, and tones cross generations - disregarding the fact that the affable nature of humankind would probably be completely different today. Despite the film's age, it stands the test of time and should serve as a valuable warning to us all. I highly recommend it for lovers of fine film from a generation past. November 21, 2008

Ahead of its time!

I saw On the Beach, as a young boy in 1959, and have never forgotten it, nor it's impacting, hard hitting, unforgettable images! Nobody really knew what to expect from the movie. The movie didn't upset me, but rather, caused me to better understand all that was going on in the world and with the Cold War. (It was a time where "air raid drills" were commonplace in my elementary school . . . all students, single file into the hallways, kneeling down against the wall, hands over head, elbows on the floor . . . and one of us assigned to open the classroom's windows . . . less resistance for the bomb's draft!!!)

I believe this movie was the first nationally seen "visual statement" about nuclear war. The movie is produced beautifully, with outstanding character portrayals by incredible actors. A beautiful, but profoundly sad love story. Classic black and white . . . tremendous photography . . . very moving and provocative. I clearly remember the submarine, the abandoned city streets, the window shade's cord, attached to the signaling devise, sending an aimless, lonely, sustained and incoherent message. It would take the combined efforts of Wordsworth, Keats and Shelly to describe the character's feelings of despair, desperation, hopelessness and profound sadness as they looked at a future of imminent death.

I remember how incredibly silent the movie theater was, when the film ended and everyone filed out . . . not a word spoken. We were watching it at the post theater, and perhaps, the adult audience, was better able to identify with what they'd seen, than the civilian population. This movie is a must see . . . an all time classic! November 1, 2008

On the Beach

Absolutely loved this movie....want the book too!!!
Cried alot of course....but then I like 3 hankie movies!!!! October 23, 2008

NOSTALGA I WAS THERE WHEN IT WAS MADE

I have always enjoyed watching "On The Beach" It's a good story well filmed and acted. It's sad to think all the main stars are no longer with us. The film was shot mainly around Melbourne Australia, and it was a big deal to have Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins in our City back in 1958. Stanly Kramer shot the interiors of the sub at the Melbourne Showground on a specially built set, mainly of wood, but looked so like the steel interior of an atomic submarine. Ava Gardner made the comment that you could not find a better city than Melboune for a story about the end of the world. Sydney siders loved that comment, Melbournians, not so amused. I believe she was taken out of context at the time.Recommend this movie to people who live in Melbourne to see the differences in their city now, especially Frankston Train Station
September 19, 2008

A Place in Time When People Seemed to Care More

I remember my parents taking me to this film--at a drive-in, no less. This was the era of "The Blob" and other teen-crazie epics. ON THE BEACH is a serious, thought-provoking film--and it found a deep--if silent--response not only in mature people, but with teens as well.

It reached a deep level of the heart with a generation of folks who seemed to care more about went on in the world around them.

On the casting level, it was brilliant. The teaming of Eva Gardner & Gregory Peck may seem odd at first glance, but the chemistry was undeniable. The earthy beauty of Eva matched with the intellectual integrity of Gregory.

Wow.

Fred Astaire, remembered for his rather fatuous but technically brilliant dance routines, turns in a flawless delivery as Eva's one time lover and now cynical, lonely race car enthusiast.

The scenario is the end of the world, a world doomed by a nuclear war that no one assumes responsibility for. Nobody is quite sure how it all began, but they do know how it will end. Australia is the only land mass left where humans (or any other animals) are still alive--and its days are numbered.

There are so many poignant scenes: Masses of people, families, obediently lining up for their State-issued cyanide capsules.

The Salvation Army singing for redemption...and one by one even their numbers begin to diminish.

The young mother clutching at denial, while her loving husband (Anthony Perkins in a great performance) is forced to make the final decisions on his own.

Toward the conclusion of the film, Gregory Peck is forced to leave his new (and last) love alone in Australia when his crew votes to return "home" (USA) to die.

The final image is poignant in its simplicity:

Eva Gardner walking alone on the cliff as Peck's submarine sails off. At least she has rediscovered her dignity in her final relationship.

There is a more recent remake of this film that I haven't seen. It may be very good, but after viewing the original version again, I don't have any impulse to see it. I want to leave this memory & experience intact.
September 3, 2008

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