On the Beach (2000)

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:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers:

Nevil Shute (novel), John Paxton

Stars:

Armand Assante, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown

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

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Well, the world has finally managed to blow itself up. Only Australia has been spared from nuclear destruction and a gigantic wave of radiation is floating in on the breezes. Only two months are left. One American sub located in the Pacific has survived and is met with disdain by the Australians when it arrives. All of the calculations of Australia's most renowned scientist says the country is at doomsday - get ready. However, one of his rivals say that is incorrect. He believes that 1000 people can be relocated to the northern hemisphere, where his assumptions indicate the radiation levels may be lower. The American Captain is asked to take a mission to the north to determine which scientist is right (and along the way check out the devastation in Alaska and California - seemingly all bodies and vehicles were disintegrated). However, before the mission, all kinds of bland soap opera relationships are played out. Brown and his ex-fiancée battle it out in a love-hate relationship. ...

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Plot Keywords:

post nuclear war | australia | remake | apocalypse | bed | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown are husband and wife in real life. This marks their fourth on-screen collaboration.

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Goofs

Executive Officer Neil Hirsch is a lieutenant commander. When he wore his dress uniform he had "scrambled eggs" on his cap's brim. Lieutenant commanders have plain brims.

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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, if where was I, where were you? Where were any of us? 'Cause I don't know what the hell two insane nations were doing facing each other down all those years. All that had to be done was that the brains, you know, the rational minds, the ...

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Connections

Features Run Silent Run Deep (1958)

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Soundtracks

In the Mood
Written by Wingy Manone, Andy Razaf and Joe Garland
Performed by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra (as Glenn Miller & His Orchestra)

User Reviews

I still get nightmares from it

I saw 'On the Beach' on tv about 2 years ago now and I still have nightmares inspired by it. Bryan Brown, Rachel Ward, Armand Assante and Jacqueline Mckenzie are all credible actors in their own right and they all give fine performances. The film focuses around these people who come together in Australia after a world nuclear war through various predictable plot devices (see plot summary). The acting, direction and even the script don't really make an impact but it is the topic that hits home. I think the purpose of this remake is to remind the world of the horrible results of any nuclear war that could so easily take place. As an Australian, watching this is even more horrific perhaps because this is a rare movie where the world's end is focused outside the U.S.A for a change. Watch this horrific movie (really it is mini series) if you aren't scared by the "what might happen" scenario then frankly your head is in the sand.

10/10 for being a very welcome piece of anti nuclear propaganda.

Details

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

La fin du monde

Filming Locations:

Sorrento, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Coote Hayes Productions, Edwards/Sullivan Productions, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

195 min 60 min (3 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1