Review of On the Beach (1959) by Daniel P — 10 Apr 2009

Wow. This film still packs a powerful punch. The science behind the concept may be a bit shaky (though undoubtedly would have been considered more accurate at the time the film was made), but then On The Beach isn't interested in the science but in what happens after the fact; how the surviving members of the human race after a global nuclear war, deal, or not deal, with their inevitable fate from the fallout.

Whether in denial, carrying on as normal, turning to alcohol or becoming consumed in 'frivolous' activities, all the reactions are utterly believable and entirely human. An outstandingly good cast give their best - Ava Gardner and Gregory Peck's romance is particularly well played - and the direction is assured.

I especially love the way the Australian anthem Waltzing Matilda is continually entwined and riffed on - towards the end, the extended version is drunkenly and amateurisly sung much to the apparently irritation of Dwight, until the reality of the words (which after all intone suicide) seem to register.

The lush score by Ernest Gold also is very powerful. This is a poignant and surprisingly relevant film, up there on my list with the 2000 version of Fail Safe, about the futility of war and the hope of survival, with a difficult to watch ending.