Synopsis
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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Cast
- Gregory PeckDwight Towers
- Ava GardnerMoira Davidson
- Fred AstaireJulian Osborn
- Anthony PerkinsLt. Peter Holmes
- Donna AndersonMary Holmes
- Guy DolemanLt. Cmdr. Farrel
- John MeillonRalph Swain
- Harp McGuireLt. Sunderstrom
- Lola BrooksLt. Hosgood
- Ken WayneLt. Benson
Recommendations
- 80
The New York Times
Mr. Kramer has brilliantly directed a strong and responsive cast, headed by Gregory Peck as the submarine commander and Ava Gardner as the worldly woman who craves his love. Miss Gardner is remarkably revealing of the pathos of a wasted life. Fred Astaire is also amazing as the cynical scientist, conveying in his self-effacing manner a piercing sense of the irony of his trade. - 80
Orlando Sentinel
Considered to be producer-director Stanley Kramer's most powerful film, containing his strongest message, a stern examination of the last days of mankind. [21 Mar 2004, p.8] - 70
Variety
On the Beach is a solid film of considerable emotional, as well as cerebral, content. But the fact remains that the final impact is as heavy as a leaden shroud. The spectator is left with the sick feeling that he's had a preview of Armageddon, in which all contestants lost. - 70
Tampa Bay Times
A memorable doomsday drama. [28 Sep 2000, p.13W] - 63
USA Today
Critics overpraised Stanley Kramer's doomsday drama in a year when they undervalued North by Northwest and Rio Bravo, and it's still dramatically mushy. [16 July 1993, p.3D] - 50
The New Yorker
Linus Pauling was quoted as saying, "It may be that some years from now we can look back and say that On the Beach is the movie that saved the world." The greatest ability of the director, Stanley Kramer, may have been for eliciting fatuous endorsements from eminent people. - 50
TV Guide Magazine
Though it occasionally goes over the top with its melodrama and lacks some technical credibility, On The Beach remains a powerful, well-acted, deftly photographed film - 50
Washington Post
In retrospect, and viewed as either a once-topical curio or a nostalgic artifact from Hollywood's golden era, On the Beach doesn't seem lousy. It seems naively, even innocently, preachy. [28 May 2000, p.G01]
