Discover
Although there'd been "doomsday dramas" before it, Stanley Kramer's On the Beach was considered the first "important" entry in this genre when originally released in 1959. Based on the novel by Nevil Shute, the film is set in the future (1964) when virtually all life on earth has been exterminated by the radioactive residue of a nuclear holocaust. Only Australia has been spared, but it's only a matter of time before everyone Down Under also succumbs to radiation poisoning. With only a short time left on earth, the Australian population reacts in different ways: some go on a nonstop binge of revelry, while others eagerly consume the suicide pills being issued by the government. When the possibility arises that rains have washed the atmosphere clean in the Northern hemisphere, a submarine commander (Gregory Peck) and his men head to San Diego, where faint radio signals have been emanating. The movie's all-star cast includes: Peck as the stalwart sub captain, Ava Gardner as his emotionally disturbed lover, Fred Astaire as a guilt-wracked nuclear scientist, and Anthony Perkins and Donna Anderson as the "just starting out in life" married couple.
Original Release
12/16/1959
US Release
12/17/1959
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Gregory Peck | Cmdr. Dwight Lionel Towers / Dwight Towers |
Ava Gardner | Moira Davidson |
Fred Astaire | Julian Osborn |
Anthony Perkins | Lt. Peter Holmes |
Donna Anderson | Mary Holmes |
John Tate | Adm. Bridie |
Harp McGuire | Lt. Sunderstrom |
Lola Brooks | Lt. Hosgood |
Ken Wayne | Lt. Benson |
Guy Doleman | Lt. Cmdr. Farrel |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Gregory Peck | Cmdr. Dwight Lionel Towers / Dwight Towers |
Ava Gardner | Moira Davidson |
Fred Astaire | Julian Osborn |
Anthony Perkins | Lt. Peter Holmes |
Donna Anderson | Mary Holmes |
John Tate | Adm. Bridie |
Harp McGuire | Lt. Sunderstrom |
Lola Brooks | Lt. Hosgood |
Ken Wayne | Lt. Benson |
Guy Doleman | Lt. Cmdr. Farrel |
Richard Meikle | Davis |
John Meillon | Ralph Swain |
Joe McCormick | Ackerman |
Lou Vernon | Bill Davidson |
Kevin Brennan | Dr. King |
Basil Buller-Murphy | Sir Douglas Froude |
John Casson | Salvation Army captain |
Paddy Moran | Stevens |
Grant Taylor | Morgan |
Harvey Adams | Sykes |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Stanley Kramer | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1960 | Oscar | Best Film Editing | Nominated |
1960 | Oscar | Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture - Drama | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Director | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Supporting Actor | Nominated |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Original Score | Won |
1960 | Golden Globe | Best Film Promoting International Understanding | Nominated |