On the Beach poster
6.7/10 1959 2h 14m Released

The Biggest Story of Our Time!

In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?

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Top Cast

Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck
Dwight 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
Guy Doleman
Guy Doleman
Lt. Cmdr. Farrel
John Meillon
John Meillon
Ralph Swain
Harp McGuire
Harp McGuire
Lt. Sunderstrom
Lola Brooks
Lola Brooks
Lt. Hosgood
Ken Wayne
Ken Wayne
Lt. Benson
Joe McCormick
Joe McCormick
Ackerman
Lou Vernon
Lou Vernon
Bill Davidson
Kevin Brennan
Kevin Brennan
Dr. King
John Tate
John Tate
Adm. Bridie

Reviews

John Chard 4/10

Like watching paint dry. Stanley Kramer and John Paxton adapt from Nevil Shute's novel. Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins and Donna Anderson star, with music by Ernest Gold and cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno. After a global nuclear war, the inhabitants of Australia realise that the radiation clouds are heading their way. A group of people try to come to terms with this fact. A…

Frank

Well acted story with an obvious anti-war theme, written during the cold war provided an interesting portrayal of how different people may react facing impending doom. Fearful, Angry, Fatalistic. It developed feelings for the characters as they dealt with the situation each in their own way. Overall, at the end, there was a sadness that prevailed and led one to contemplate the possibility of this occurring. That…

CinemaSerf 7/10

With nuclear warfare having eradicated most of the population of the world, it seems that only Australia still has a population - and they know that it is only a matter of time before the irradiated dust reaches their coastline and death will follow. Just ahead of that, though, is the USS Sawfish under the command of the now widowed “Towers” (Gregory Peck) who arrives with a grateful but demoralised crew. Their…

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FAQ about On the Beach

What is On the Beach about?
In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets…
When was On the Beach released?
On the Beach was released in 1959.
What genres does On the Beach belong to?
On the Beach is categorised as Science Fiction, Drama, Romance.
Who stars in On the Beach?
The cast of On the Beach includes Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins, Donna Anderson.