Review of On the Beach (1959) by Kendra C — 10 Nov 2007
This is based on my favorite book of the same name by Australian author Nevil Shute. The movie is good, but I much prefer the novel, which I read first. Peck is excellent, as always, and my beloved Anthony Perkins is in it.
My big issue with this film is how now Peck's American submarine commander is the main character. In the book, he is only a supporting player, while Perkins' role is the main character. Perkins here is on the periphery.
But a Hollywood movie wants the American to be front and center, not the Australian. Unfortunate, because I think the book did the better job in this regard. Perkins' character makes more sense as the moral center, and his situation is far sadder and more poignant.
The book is just far superior, in a nutshell. In fact, the movie improves on the book in only one area: Fred Astaire's character has a better, more appropriate death in the film. It suits him and all he believes in.
This is the book's one weakness, and it has been corrected here. Too bad the rest of it had to drift away from the original story.
This review of On the Beach (1959) was written by Kendra C on 10 Nov 2007.
On the Beach has generally received positive reviews.
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