Director Stanley Kramer's On the Beach is a cautionary tale about the last days of mankind after a nuclear war. Made in 1959 but set five years in the future in 1964 it concerns a small group of survivors in Australia and the different ways they choose to meet the end. As the picture opens we learn that scientists estimate that in about five months time clouds of radiation will reach Australia, believed to be the last outpost of humanity. The story is told in a simple, straightforward manner. It is not overly dramatic but neither is it overly inspired either.

On the Beach was shot in black & white as many dramas were at that time. It does feature some nice cinematography, and with Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins in the four main roles it boasts plenty of star power. Gregory Peck is the commander of the USS Sawfish a United States Naval Submarine, Anthony Perkins is Lt. Cmdr. Peter Holmes of the Royal Australian Navy. As a last ditch effort to find other survivors or a place where the radiation hasn't reached they set off on a mission all the way up to the arctic circle and back down along the coast of California. One of the best scenes takes place in San Diego. One of the men decides he wants to die at home, so he goes ashore to a deserted town and country.

This movie being more psychological than visually scary, there are no dead or decaying bodies. Instead we just get emptiness and silence.

The always beautiful Ava Gardner plays love interest to Gregory Peck. They make a handsome couple bravely and gallantly facing the end of the world. Fred Astaire is a scientist who fulfills his lifelong dream of competing in a grand prix like car race. He gets one of the movies best lines. 'We're all doomed, you know. The whole, silly, drunken, pathetic lot of us. Doomed by the air we're about to breathe.'

Great cast, but a rather slow and methodical movie that will depress the hell out of you. The final scene will resonate for a while but overall the movie doesn't ring true. There is very little panic. Everyone just seems to gently await their fate with a quiet dignity. Stanley Kramer wanted to see the best in human nature but in reality I think there would be much more chaos and insanity.

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