On The Beach (1959) - opening scene - Waltzing Matilda HQ

On the Beach is a post-apocalyptic, end-of-the-world novel written by British-Australian author Nevil Shute after he emigrated to Australia. It was published in 1957.
The novel was adapted for the screenplay of a 1959 film featuring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Anthony Perkins, and Fred Astaire, and a 2000 television film starring Bryan Brown, Armand Assante and Rachel Ward. The submarine used in the 1959 movie - H.M.S. Andrew representing the American nuclear submarine U.S.S. Sawfish, was in actual fact a WW2 designed/vintage diesel/electric powered British submarine - the Amphion class submarine (also known as the "A" class and Acheron class) was launched on April 6 in 1946. By the time of the movie, this submarine had been greatly modified from its original appearance - especially in respects to its conning tower which was made considerably larger. The producer/director Stanley Kramer was forced to use this stand-in submarine when the U.S. Navy refused to participate in the making of the film due to its controversial nuclear apocalyptic storyline. This 1959 movie has has one of the best instrumental versions of Waltzing Matilda composed in its impressive opening credits scene.

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[4Y83Z120401]

This film has incredible power.... one must see it without any interruption. Viewing it that way, when it ends... my point will be proven.

[nitropost]

Should be seen sometimes, it was well produced and as a poster before me noted, was not popular whit the political attitudes of the era. Still,it could be put up front as a reminder of what we have to avoid.

[1boatsailor]

I saw this movie in 1959 I was 11 years old at the time.....The Cuban missile crisis was just 3 years later. Little did I know I would spend 4 years on a Polaris submaine myself just 8 years later. Thanks for the post! I love the scene on the bridge....my favorite place to be before we submerged for 65 days

[therongperson]

Thank you for posting this and the background info as well. This movie has always fascinated me since I seen it in high school. Very depressing, to be sure, and possibly the first anti nuclear war film. No suprise the defense department wanted no part of it. They also did not help with the film Independence Day because part of that story took place at Area 51, which of course does not exist.