IMDb > On the Beach (1959)
On the Beach
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On the Beach (1959) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   4,288 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
John Paxton (screenplay)
Nevil Shute (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for On the Beach on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
17 December 1959 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
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. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Eric Roberts: The Hollywood Interview
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 2 November 2009, 10:23 AM, PST)

He’s Not Coming Back: Point Break 2 Stays On The Beach
 (From FilmShaft.com. 10 September 2009, 10:05 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
a great human drama more (122 total)

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. Cmdr. 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)
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
134 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Gregory Peck was a lifelong opponent of nuclear weapons, and made On the Beach (1959) for this reason. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The Sawfish is supposed to be a nuclear submarine, but as there were actually very few actual nuclear submarines in service at the time of filming, a 'Tench' class submarine was used in filming, and in several scenes you can see the exhaust from the diesel engines. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Dwight Towers: Prepare to surface.
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Onward, Christian Soldiers more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
57 out of 72 people found the following comment useful.
a great human drama, 20 May 1999
8/10

The Cold War aspects of this movie may be a bit dated, but for those of us of a certain age it is a reminder of the fears we lived under at that time. In retrospect, it may be that Julian was wrong: it may have indeed been the very presence of these terrible weapons that prevented a third world war.

In any case, that aspect of the story never overshadows the movie's underlying theme, which is, rather, how each of us views the sum of our lives as our mortal end approaches. Are we alone? Have we connected with anyone? Have we failed? Have we loved? Have we been loved?

Color would have been all wrong for this essentially b&w story. Superb performances from Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and the pre-Norman Bates Anthony Perkins. A fine bit as well by John Tate as the old admiral("to a blind, blind world").

A mere cold-war nuclear destruction movie would leave one merely frightened at the end. The fact that this movie leaves you with an almost unbearable feeling of terrible sadness is a testament to the human power of Nevil Shute's book, as well as to the fine script and Kramer's superb direction.

One of the most depressing movies ever made, but a truly great one.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Beautiful Ava Gardner at the end of the movie laxlon
donna anderson = wow nova094
What's up with 'pneumonia' to the stars RABerg66
'Waltzing Matilda' dangerlaef
One of the most depressing films ever! vawlkee_2000
Unrealistic susabery
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