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On the Beach

  • 1959
  • Approved
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
15K
YOUR RATING
On the Beach (1959)
After a global nuclear war, the residents of Australia must come to terms with the fact that all life will be destroyed in a matter of months.
Play trailer4:47
1 Video
99 Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiPsychological DramaDramaRomanceSci-Fi

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

  • Director
    • Stanley Kramer
  • Writers
    • John Paxton
    • Nevil Shute
  • Stars
    • Gregory Peck
    • Ava Gardner
    • Fred Astaire
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stanley Kramer
    • Writers
      • John Paxton
      • Nevil Shute
    • Stars
      • Gregory Peck
      • Ava Gardner
      • Fred Astaire
    • 211User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 4 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 4:47
    Official Trailer

    Photos99

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    + 93
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    Top cast60

    Edit
    Gregory Peck
    Gregory Peck
    • Cmdr. Dwight Lionel Towers
    Ava Gardner
    Ava Gardner
    • Moira Davidson
    Fred Astaire
    Fred Astaire
    • Julian Osborn
    Anthony Perkins
    Anthony Perkins
    • Lt. Peter Holmes
    Donna Anderson
    Donna Anderson
    • Mary Holmes
    John Tate
    John Tate
    • Adm. Bridie
    Harp McGuire
    Harp McGuire
    • Lt. Sunderstrom
    Lola Brooks
    • Lt. Hosgood
    Ken Wayne
    Ken Wayne
    • Lt. Benson
    Guy Doleman
    Guy Doleman
    • Lt. Cmdr. Farrel
    Richard Meikle
    • Davis
    John Meillon
    John Meillon
    • Ralph Swain
    Joe McCormick
    • Ackerman
    Lou Vernon
    • Bill Davidson
    Kevin Brennan
    Kevin Brennan
    • Dr. King
    Basil Buller-Murphy
    • Sir Douglas Froude
    John Casson
    • Salvation Army captain
    Paddy Moran
    Paddy Moran
    • Stevens
    • Director
      • Stanley Kramer
    • Writers
      • John Paxton
      • Nevil Shute
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Fred Astaire launched his non-musical, dramatic acting career with this film. Stanley Kramer couldn't decide who to cast in this role until his wife suggested Astaire while watching one of his films on TV.
    • Goofs
      Before the submarine's deployment on its proposed 13,000 mile round trip, Dwight is asked if he has enough power on-board his nuclear sub. A nuclear sub's range is only limited by the amount of food it can carry and the endurance of the crew. The time between refueling a nuclear sub is measured in years if not decades. Plus, the sub could easily cover the 13,000 miles in three weeks or less.
    • Quotes

      Julian Osborne: The war started when people accepted the idiotic principle that peace could be maintained by arranging to defend themselves with weapons they couldn't possibly use without committing suicide.

    • Crazy credits
      The following acknowledgment appears in the opening credits: "We acknowledge with appreciation the assistance given by the Royal Australian Navy and, in particular, by the officers and men of H.M.A.S. Melbourne and H.M.S. Andrew."
    • Connections
      Edited into 365 Days, also Known as a Year (2019)
    • Soundtracks
      Waltzing Matilda
      Original music by Christina McPherson, revised music by Marie Cowan and lyrics by A.B. 'Banjo' Paterson (as A.B. Paterson)

    User reviews211

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    A great Tour de Force by a fine cast, interpreting a great story

    I watched this movie in a USAF chow hall on the island of Makung in the China Strait with about 20 other airman. The year was 1960. We were stationed there on a missile site. Our targets were 7 Chinese missile sites. Their target was us.

    I was 22 years old and immortal.

    Until I watched this movie.

    When the movie ended, I will never forget the fact that no one moved for perhaps 10 minutes. There was just the bright, blank screen and the sound of the end of the film going around and around. Thiketa-thicketa-thicketa................... No one ever said a word about what we had just seen.

    We, or at least I, never forgot this movie. As said earlier, it was more than scary. It was sad.

    It seems strange now, 40 some years later, to be telling people that you really should watch this film and watch the masters at work, with a script that is chilling. And you know what? We still haven't outlived the possibility...........
    • hfelknor
    • Apr 12, 2006
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 17, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Na plazi
    • Filming locations
      • Frankston, Victoria, Australia
    • Production companies
      • Stanley Kramer Productions
      • Lomitas Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $2,900,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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