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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is the film that for me captures the terror I felt as a child, growing up at the height of the Cold War; it is bleak and intense, with scenes that are forever etched in my mind. It's one of the great films of that era ("Seven Days in May" and "Fail Safe" are others) that I can watch repeatedly, and their power and impact are never diminished.
Based on Nevil Shute's best seller, and brilliantly directed by Stanley Kramer, the use of sound effects combined with Ernest Gold's Oscar nominated score is very effective. Sometimes the simplest noise set against complete silence is ominous, and gives the feeling of the desolation of empty cities.
As time runs out, people try to avoid the "morbid discussion" of what awaits them, and some make the most of those precious days, weeks and months, like the elderly scientist Julian (in an exceptional performance by Fred Astaire), who completes his dream of being a race car driver.
Based on Nevil Shute's best seller, and brilliantly directed by Stanley Kramer, the use of sound effects combined with Ernest Gold's Oscar nominated score is very effective. Sometimes the simplest noise set against complete silence is ominous, and gives the feeling of the desolation of empty cities.
As time runs out, people try to avoid the "morbid discussion" of what awaits them, and some make the most of those precious days, weeks and months, like the elderly scientist Julian (in an exceptional performance by Fred Astaire), who completes his dream of being a race car driver.
Both strong and tender, Gregory Peck is fabulous as Dwight Towers, the commander of a submarine, who has trouble accepting that he is alive, while his family are victims of the "monstrous war". The woman who falls in love with him is Ava Gardner, who has spent far too much time being consoled by a bottle of brandy. The plot is filled out by Anthony Perkins and Donna Anderson, a young couple facing the fact that their baby has no future.
In the late 50s and early 60s, the scenario in this film was all too real; we face other dangers now, but there was something truly chilling about those Cold War years, and this film vividly brings back the memory of them. Total running time is 134 minutes.
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This movie sums up the feelings and fears of the sixties in the shadow of the bomb, atomic war and aftermath. The story line is faultless as is the content. Each actor/actress is perfect for the roles they play, Gregory Peck being at his best. One of the very few movies that sticks to the original story, so rare. If you watch this movie and you are not deeply moved, I would say you are already dead. The pace of things is exactly right, leading up to the final shots, which must be termed as the most dramatic ending ever. I have watched this movie many times and I never cease to be moved. Although this movie is of my generation and times, my children watched it (age 20 and 22)and were as moved as much as me.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
One of my all-time favourites, far superior to the more recent version and - very unusually - I think it is even better than the novel. The condition of the video is excellent, although I always remember it as being in colour and was a little disappointed to find it was in fact in black and white - not that that detracted at all from the wonderful direction and acting. A. T.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
On The Beach (DVD)
Wonderful DVD. I had read the book a long time ago and didn't realise until now that there was a film too. It ws really sensitively made and I enjoyed it.
Published 1 month ago by Annie M
on the beach
Having recently re-read the book and having seen the film in the 1960' (and according to my diary - enjoyed it !)
I purchased it to watch over Christmas. Read more
I purchased it to watch over Christmas. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Patty
Has stood the test of time
This is one of the all-time greats of the Neville Shute stories, and is as relevant now as ever. As you would expect from such a cast, the acting is perfact. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sailrodney
On the Beach (DVD)
A classic film set in the Cold War with the greats of acting though the film is not quite as good as the book.
Published 6 months ago by KeithM
on the beach
film captures the age the book was written and having lived thro the cold war certainly the emotions so true,BUT so different from the book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by lindap
World's end!
It is the aftermath of a catastrophic nuclear war. The people of Australia and the crew of a lone submarine under the command of Dwight Towers (Gregory Peck) are the sole... Read more
Published 10 months ago by P. A. Pendrey
Cold War Shocker.
Stanley Kramer offers an extremely faithful re-creation of Shute's cold-war shocker. As the DVD blurb says dismissively `The war is over. Nobody won. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Seatinthestalls
On The Beach
Wonderful movie!I saw this when first released and it still has the same impact with the thought provoking ending. Read more
Published 20 months ago by shirleyanne
ON THE BEACH RUBBISH
THIS DVD WILL NOT RUN ON MY MACHINE. SHOWS A MESSAGE ABOUT BEING WRONG REGION.
I HAVE COMPLAINED BEFORE WITHOUT REPLY. Read more
I HAVE COMPLAINED BEFORE WITHOUT REPLY. Read more
Published 21 months ago by wilf addey
on the beach dvd/gregory peck & ava gardner
I saw this film when it first came out, and as I now have more interest in Australia/Melbourne thought it would be good to see it again. Read more
Published 23 months ago by bully
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