On the Beach

1959  NR  DRAMA  2h 14min

CAST— Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins, Donna Anderson

MUSIC— Ernest Gold  DIRECTOR— Stanley Kramer  BASED ON— On the Beach (novel), by Nevil Shute

     A dark science fiction drama that may raise a few eyebrows. The Earth has been laid desolate by nuclear wars, the fallout claiming billions of lives. The one area that got a reprieve is the Australian continent. Now, sensing that their end is fast approaching, the citizens try to live normal lives but severe anxiety and depression have a firm grip. Gregory Peck plays a naval submarine commander whose men have all survived due to seclusion aboard their vessel. When docking on Australian shores Peck tries to lead a normal life despite his knowing the tragic ending of his American family. Peck hands in a typically understated performance, as does naval officer Anthony Perkins, who has more than enough on his plate. At times absorbing, at times dreary and depressing, though the powerful message contained herein still applies some fifty odd years later.

OUR RATING— ** ½