On the Beach
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Movie Reviews of On the Beach
Movie Review: Chilling Story with Great Acting
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the few movies that matches the quality of the book.
Shute's chilling novel of the aftermath of nuclear war is brought to life with great acting and screenwriting. It's refreshing to see movie makers take the opportunity to use their skills to bring more drama to a story rather than inject new storylines and plot simplification.
Shute wrote a gripping story of those who fate assembled to face the end of civilization as the path of nuclear fallout finally reaches the last bastion of humans, Australia. It is a story with strong undercurrents of character. Man's best and worst. Love and sacrifice. Dealing with the unthinkable prospect of offering one's children a painless death or more days of suffering.
The movie brought to life the racing scenes from the book as a group of racers held what they knew would be the last road race on earth. Produced in an age when car collecting was not an obsession the movie probably consumed cars which in today's world would bring $50+ million at auction.
The postwar visit to San Francisco is especially chilling.
Decades later and beyond the terror of the Cold War this movie still evokes strong emotions. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Outstanding and heartbreaking performances
Summary: 5 Stars
This film left me stunned. The brillance of the performances by actors not in their regular character roles (except perhaps Peck) was gripping: Ava Gardner as the past-her-prime lush, Fred Astaire as the guilt-ridden scientist, Anthony Perkins as a genuinely loving family man. All performances were striking and never over the top. My FAVORITE scene is the one where Peck's character tries desperately to explain to his budding love-interest Moira (played by Ava Garder) how he isn't free to love her because of the love and life he always had planned with his wife and family, who are now all dead. Peck is on the verge of sobbing in this whole scene, which is hard to watch, since we have all come to expect him to be the tower of strength in movies. You never know if he is going to just totally lose it as he is talking, revealing things to Moira that he obviously has never said out loud or even to himself since the bombs fell. It is without a doubt the most moving, raw, HUMAN scene I have ever watched, and is reason enough to watch this film. I have seen many nuclear war films, and "On the Beach" may not be the most gory or realistic, but its importance as a human dramatization and thought provoker cannot be understated.Movie Review: Great Movie, however depressing it may be
Summary: 5 Stars
On the Beach is much like the classic From Here to Eternity. Different story, however how an apocalyptic event is unfolding and how it effects these peoples lives is very similar. Peck is outstanding, Gardner a terrific supporter, Perkins in his second-best performance, all the acting is fabulous. Story is a little out there, however is quite frightening considering we have the power to make this film come true. Peck is a submarine commander who has just landed ashore on the beautiful coast of Australia where the world's last survivors have been dreadfully awaiting the deadly radiation cloud caused by the war. He sees the radiation hasn't arrived yet so he and his crew emerge from the ocean and visit the town. Perkins is the Australian naval officer assigned to meet up with him and inform him of their condition. Gardner is the beautiful, constantly drunk woman who he quickly gains a loving relationship with. Jillian (i think thats his name) is her older ex-boyfriend whose dream of succeeding at the races is fulfilled in one of the most breath-taking racing scenes ever filmed. Depressing, however powerful message to the world about the awesome power the nuclear weapons have and what we can destroy by our own hands.
Movie Review: Sublime and Effective
Summary: 5 Stars
Five years before Dr. Strangelove and Fail-Safe, director extraordinaire Stanley Kramer created this statement that in some ways dwarfs other movies of its kind. There is no bravado, no satire, no ultra long speeches. No preaching to the choir, either. The film is complete, and there is a true "ending." The actors had a tall order in pulling off the most depressing situation imaginable, the last days of humankind. The tale should not be taken literally; but rather as an allegory of what humans have done to make this planet continually less livable. The nuclear atmosphere of that time just made the film's message that much more extreme.
Fred Astaire pulls off the role of the physicist who tries to explain to everyone what went wrong. It turns out that he has no explanation that improves on anyone else's. Gregory Peck is the nuclear submarine captain who finally falls for the incomparable Ava Gardner. Tony Perkins, in an underrated performance, contemplates the morality of suicide, and more controversially, infanticide. It's a tough movie dealing with the toughest topics of all time, and it does so with dignity and clarity. On the Beach is one for the ages.
Movie Review: Haunting Film of worlds end
Summary: 5 Stars
My parents took me to the movies to see this film in 1959, when I was 7 or 8 years old. I can still remember how frightened I was by it- my mother telling me it 'Was an important film'.
The film after 46 years has lost none of the haunting qualities which to me make it so special. The visions of the golden gate bridge and deserted streets of San Francisco are startling.
The muscial score with 'Waltzing Madilda' though repetitive is used wonderfully, adding to the melancholy and broken hearted end of civilization.
The leads of Peck, Gardner, Astaire and Perkins are all excellent as well.
Kramer added to his gallery of his fine films of 'social import' with 'On the Beach'.
The film may be dated- and its premise obsolete (Cold war) But the aftermath can be easily conceptualized today with dangers such as terrorism,climate change, bio war fare and other modern day menaces- and for that reason 'On the Beach' has become a timeless drama itself, of what could happen to the world when horrible forces spiral out of control.
Added this film via DVD to my collection- remains a famous and impressive film.