On the Beach
Seen it?1959 | 134 min | Science Fiction, Drama, Romance
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It drew serious awards attention and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite a box office loss. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and sci-fi fans. If you loved Planet of the Apes or The Day After, start here.
- The mood
- Harrowing, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 14 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1959: an older pace and style.
In 1964, atomic war wipes out humanity in the northern hemisphere; one American submarine finds temporary safe haven in Australia, where life-as-usual covers growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, American Captain Towers meets careworn but gorgeous Moira Davidson, who begins to fall for him. The sub returns after reconnaissance a month (or less) before the end; will Towers and Moira find comfort with each other?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 55 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Original Score – Motion Picture. Also nominated for 2 Oscars, 4 more Golden Globes and 1 BAFTA. Plus 2 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$2 million worldwide on a $3 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 257K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Stanley Kramer
- Gregory PeckDwight Towers
- Ava GardnerMoira Davidson
- Fred AstaireJulian Osborn
- Anthony PerkinsLt. Peter Holmes
- Donna AndersonMary Holmes
- Guy DolemanLt. Cmdr. Farrel
- John MeillonRalph Swain
- Harp McGuireLt. Sunderstrom
- Lola BrooksLt. Hosgood
- Ken WayneLt. Benson