On the Beach (2000) (TV)

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers (WGA):

Nevil Shute (novel)
John Paxton (1959 screenplay)

Release Date:

28 May 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

Well, the world has finally managed to blow itself up. Only Australia has been spared from nuclear destruction...

Plot Keywords:

Australia | Breeze | Post Nuclear | Two Part TV Movie | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Cmdr. Dwight Towers
Rachel Ward	...	Moira Davidson
Bryan Brown	...	Dr. Julian Osborne
Jacqueline McKenzie	...	Mary Davidson Holmes
Grant Bowler	...	Lt. Peter Holmes
Allison Webber	...	Jenny Holmes
Tieghan Webber	...	Jenny Holmes
Steve Bastoni	...	First Officer Neil Hirsch
David Ross Paterson	...	Chief Wawrzeniak (as David Paterson)
Kevin Copeland	...	Sonarman Bobby Swain
Todd MacDonald	...	Radioman Giles
Joe Petruzzi	...	Lt. Tony Garcia
Craig Beamer	...	Crewman Reid
Jonathan Oldham	...	Crewman Parsons
Trent Huen	...	Crewman Samuel Huynh

Runtime:

195 min | 60 min (3 episodes)

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Company:

Coote Hayes Productions

Trivia:

The Los Angeles class submarine in this movie uses a "caterpillar" (silent) drive as was used by the Soviet submarine Red October in The Hunt for Red October (1990).

Goofs:

Factual errors: When the submarine is first greeted in Melbourne, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Admiral Cunningham gives Captain Towers an American Salute. The Australian Salute (like the British Salute) is made with the palm forward (opposite of an American Salute).

Quotes:

Cmdr. Dwight Towers: I carried warheads on my boat. That is correct. I was damn proud of it too. I served my country the best way I know how. And the only question I ask myself these days and I'm asking it every single millisecond now whatever the hell's left of what I've got...

Movie Connections:

Remake of On the Beach (1959)

Soundtrack:

In the Mood

Two Words: Depressing and Haunting

I found this movie depressing as hell. But I also found it haunting. I thought the acting and direction were really superb. And, by the way, I saw the original with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner. If anyone thinks a remake can't approach the original in style and quality, you will change your mind when you see THIS remake. The other thought that you will mull over in your mind, as with the original, is how human beings could be so monumentally stupid as to allow this to happen. I came away from this movie with the same sensation I had after I saw the movie The Day After. Other than a few references to the nuclear war that got the cast of characters into this dilemma, the movie did not dwell on nuclear war--only the aftermath. The aftermath of such folly is what the movie DID dwell on and how a species, namely homo sapiens, become extinct. What stands out in this movie is HOW they die. Each character or couple ending their lives in their own way and on their own terms. This movie remake is a must see...