On the Beach (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

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 | Remake | Nuclear War | Fictional War

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: While at Melbourne, sailors departing the submarine are incorrectly shown as giving salutes while wearing civilian clothes.

Quotes:

Moira Davidson: Hey, I'm not blaming you. If it was one of your politicians or your military with their bloody warrior mentality, I would be. "We're protecting your freedom!"
[sarcastically]
Moira Davidson: It really worked...

Movie Connections:

Remake of On the Beach (1959)

Soundtrack:

In the Mood

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.