On the Beach (1959)

The residents of Australia after a global nuclear war must come to terms with the fact that all life will be destroyed in a matter of months.

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers:

John Paxton (screenplay), Nevil Shute (novel)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Peck	...	Cmdr. Dwight Lionel Towers, USS Sawfish
Ava Gardner	...	Moira Davidson
Fred Astaire	...	Julian Osborne
Anthony Perkins	...	Lt. Peter Holmes - Royal Australian Navy
Donna Anderson	...	Mary Holmes
John Tate	...	Adm. Bridie
Harp McGuire	...	Lt. Sunderstrom (ashore in San Diego)
Lola Brooks	...	Lt. Hosgood (Bridie's secretary)
Ken Wayne	...	Lt. Benson
Guy Doleman	...	Lt. Cmdr. Farrel
Richard Meikle	...	Davis
John Meillon	...	Ralph Swain (ashore in San Francisco)
Joe McCormick	...	Ackerman (radiation sickness)
Lou Vernon	...	Bill Davidson (Moira's father)
Kevin Brennan	...	Dr. King (radiation diagnosis)

Storyline

In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?

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Plot Keywords:

australia | submarine | nuclear fallout | fallout | nuclear war | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 December 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das letzte Ufer

Filming Locations:

Canadian Bay, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ava Gardner's first film as a freelance actress after completing her 20 year studio contract where she worked for a weekly salary and didn't benefit financially from being loaned to other studios. She was now free to choose her roles and negotiate her salary.

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Goofs

Party for Dwight in Frankston. Mary returns to the room with a plate of snacks. Being upset by the discussion about the war, in the close up she is focused on something to the left of her. The following wide shot of the room is presenting her in an attitude towards the middle to right side of her position. Her hair seems to be flatter or even moister.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dwight Towers: Prepare to surface.

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Crazy Credits

and Introducing Donna Anderson

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Connections

Featured in Australian Movies to the World (1983)

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Soundtracks

"Stand up Stand Up for Jesus"
(uncredited)
Words by George Duffield Jr.
Music by George J. Webb

User Reviews

A Great Movie

On The Beach was made in 1959 and it's still a fantastic movie some 46 years later. As great as all the performances are, the photography and the script are as out-standing.

The only drawback to this black & white classic is the hauntingly depressing nature of the film. Death is never easy to explore and it's done here tastefully, gritty, and realistically. Gregory Peck shines in this controversial role. Ava Gardner gives her finest performance. Fred Astaire is incredible in this serious role. However, the film was stolen by the pre-Psycho Anthoney Perkins and newcomer Donna Anderson as a doomed young couple with a new baby. The ending of On The Beach is one of the most depressing in screen history, still this is a must see for any fan of any of the actors or the legendary Stanly Kramer.