On the Beach (1959)
On the Beach (1959)
On the Beach Photos
Movie Info
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Cast
as Cmdr. Dwight Lionel Towers
as Moira Davidson
as Julian Osborne
as Lt. Peter Holmes
as Mary Holmes
as Adm. Bridie
as Lt. Hosgood
as Swain
as Davidson
as Farrel
as Benson
as Davis
as Sundstrom
as Chrysler
as Sir Douglas Froude
as Dr. Fletcher
as Senior Officer
as Radio Officer
as Portman
as Salvation Army Captain
as Dr. King
as Dykers
as Morgan
as Prof. Jorgenson
as Sykes
as Jones
as Ackerman
as Betty
as Fogarty
as Boy
as Jennifer Holmes
as Jorgenson Associate
as Elderly Woman at Holmes Party
as Jewellery Salesman
as Cadogan
as Stevens
as Official
as Warren
as Williams
as Trumpeter
Critic Reviews for On the Beach
All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (5) | DVD (1)
A tiresome, talky 1959 film.
Fine photography, but the script is a typically numbing affair, and the cast, aside from Peck and Meillon, seem totally out of their depth.
The great merit of this picture, aside from its entertaining qualities, is the fact that it carries a passionate conviction that man is worth saving, after all.
Director Kramer's drama is a bleak and heart wrenching tale of the end of the world...
The scenario - one of the best in Stanley Kramer's filmography - is uniquely human in the annals of post-nuclear cinema.
Gloomy doomsday film that is more talky, melodramatic and numbing than imaginative.
Audience Reviews for On the Beach
Most certainly my fav Kramer film, this almost forgotten cautionary tale of the last days of suicidal humanity has its drawbacks ... but that might sum up humanity, no? Overall, the spirit to find the best of us while fully submerged in the worst drives this tale that looks at the ragtag few remaining survivors facing certain extinction at the end of the world. Peck et al lend undeserved honor to the race and Fred Astaire proves he didn't only need to be dancing to be worth attention. Ernest Gold's score, variations on "Waltzin' Matilda", will leave you soaked in an bittersweet Australian stew for days to come. Have plenty of Coopers Pale Ale on hand.
Super Reviewer
A spooky Cold War classic about those MAD years, when the complete ruination of the world through nuclear war seemed a real possibility. Once again, Gregory Peck carries a film with his performance - I'm starting to think he's one of the all-time best - and it's the humanity of these characters and their attempt to retain hope when all seems lost. It's a pushing to the extreme of a feeling in that was in the air at the time, but it also seems unfortunately easy to relate to. An important and uncomfortable film to see.
Super Reviewer
This movie has a lot of stars, and it's a pretty intense drama, I liked it.
Super Reviewer
On the Beach Quotes
| Peter Holmes: | By the way, I invited Captain Towers for the weekend. |
| Mary Holmes: | Oh Peter you didn't. |
| Peter Holmes: | I had to really, we had lunch together and he started asking questions about how we lived and all. Mary I'd have looked an awful clod not to have asked him. He'll be alright I think. |
| Peter Holmes: | I had to really, we had lunch together and he started asking questions about how we lived and all. Mary, I'd have looked an awful clod not to have asked him. He'll be alright I think. |
| Mary Holmes: | Was he married do you know? |
| Peter Holmes: | Two kids. |
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