On the Beach

Rating:
Summary: A good story, but...
Review: On the Beach, based on the 1957 novel by Nevil Shute, is about the effects of radiation following a nuclear war in the northern hemisphere. The fallout is slowly creeping towards Australia, where suicide pills are being offered in preference to a slow, painful sickness. The film is set in Melbourne in 1964.

Shute's novel and Kramer's film are effective, but I have to say the story is now very dated. It's always dangerous for writers to give an exact year for an apocalyptic story. In the novel characters talked about countries like Rhodesia and the Belgian Congo. This makes the threat of extinction feel less imminent, when you read or watch a near future that is now in the past. I suppose we could pretend that we're descendents of someone who survived in a shelter for 20 years, but still...

Many religious followers are presently waiting for Armageddon, saying that we're living in the "Last Days." But they don't know exactly when it will happen. The Book of Revelation didn't give an exact date, so it's still something to wait for.

"On the Beach" is currently being remade and updated as a TV miniseries. They showed a bit of it on the news last year. They closed down a street in Melbourne for the filming, and it should be screening some time this year. It might be even better than this version.

Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable
Review: I first saw this movie when it was released and I was still in high school. It really affected me. It was scary because you thought that this COULD REALLY happen. I can still remember the characters and the black and white film which really added to the impending fate of the characters. It's just one of those haunting kind of movies.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Human Story
Review: To me, the poignance of On The Beach lies not in it's anti-nuclear war message, which mercifully was proved wrong by events in the real world (Julian's speech railing against the idea that nuclear weapons could keep the peace is the one dated part of the film. It's now evident that the reason why there never was another ground war horror on the order of WWI and WWII was *because* of the atomic bomb) but in it's human elements, and exploring how people react to the reality that life is fast coming to an end for all of them. In this instance, a nuclear war is simply a convenient duex ex machina to see how ordinary people react to the trauma facing them. There are fine performances all around, but to me the real strength of the movie is Ava Gardner's touching performance as Moira Davidson. Indeed, there is an almost eerie autobiograhic quality to it since Gardner had many things in common with her character.

I think sooner or later, people will look back on "On The Beach" and realize that it's timelessness lies in it's exploration of the human condition and not it's political statements which in my opinion are no longer relevant to the real world.

Rating:
Summary: On The Beach...revisited
Review: I first saw " Onthe Beach" (OTB) after reading the Nevile Shute novel. I remember Pauline Kael saying in one of her more vitupritive reviews, "will anyone in the future remember On the Beach as anything but a bad movie". I was confused. Perhaps my response at the time had been the sentimental attachment of a high-schooler (after all, that "Waltzing Matida" theme can get to you). But now, Pauline, I can answer yer question. OTB is really not about the end of the world...but rather about the end of each of our worlds. "Fail Safe", "Dr Strangelove", etc...these are the movies about the end of the world. But this film is just about the end of one life...A few lives. And how we watch these finalities played out is like a chess game. Sure,there are moments spiced with Kramer's understandable ham-fisted "MESSAGE" about Nuclear War...but also we experience the slight, breathless moments when we know something forever is lost. I liked it a lot then... I like it now, too. Less for its attacks on radioactive death...more, for its reflections of how we may face our own "end". Remember, this film came out at at time when most American films were glamorizing pillow talks and chariot races and west side stories. These films, as well as the exquisite foreign films of the time also hold up...on their own levels. But there is a poignancy, perhaps not then intended, with all the lead actors either dead or retired that gives a new message to the quote from which the novel and film arose: "Here by the Sea, by the tumult river, here on the beach......sorry, misquoted, but intent on making a point. Looking forward to other comments. I believe the quote ends with the phrase, "Life ends not with a bang, but a whimper".

Rating:
Summary: A HAUNTING, BEAUTIFULLY ACTED FILM
Review: Humanity shows it's best side in the face of the ultimate catastrophe. Strong performances by all the principal performers; Peck, Gardner, Astaire and Perkins are all wonderful. I was stunned by this movie as an 11-year-old in 1959, and it's still just as powerful today. If Armageddon made your eyes cross, if what you look for in a film is strong characterizations, SEE THIS MOVIE WITHOUT DELAY!

Rating:
Summary: One of the BEST!
Review: This movie is one of my top three all time favorites...and I'm sure that my copy will shortly be in need of replacement! What surprises me is that it's viewed as a "sleeper!"

This film is a very human story...pure action fans might be disappointed. Still, I recommend this film to everybody! It is timeless, poignant, haunting, and full of unforgettable images.

The movie's opening is one of the most effective I have ever seen in cinema: it still gives me chills every time I see it! Totally understated, but it pulls you in and never lets you go!

Do yourself a favor. Put back that copy of "Die Hard: Part X" and get "On the Beach!"

Rating:
Summary: Grand!
Review: I read the book first and nearly cried. One of the most human stories I have ever read. Soon I found out that a movie had been made and bought it after much search. It was gallant! The end, in particular, touched the depths of my soul and made me shiver at the thought of the world coming to such a horrific end. The only reason one star was not added was the weak and dull preformance given by Peck who seems to miss out on the humane part of his character. He simply looks boring. Astaire suprises. All in all, a great movie but one should read the book first.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful - made 40 years ago but STILL relevant
Review: A must see for anyone interested in international politics or anyone who thinks the "nuclear threat" is over. The players may have changed since the end of the Cold War but not the threat and this movie brings that point home. Gregory Peck is outstanding as is Fred Astaire. Chilling in its authenticity.

Rating:
Summary: You Must See This Film
Review: Despite the age of the film, after seeing it you will never be the same. It is powerful. As the world comes to an end you see human nature take many forms. You will never forget this movie.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best films ever made
Review: I last saw this film of tv and it gave me such a haunting feel that I can nvere forget it.

For those who live outside USA is there a way that the video can be produced for say, the UK market? This film should be seen by everyone.