On The Beach (1959) - Waltzing Matilda

The Cold War aspects of this movie may be a bit dated, but for those of us of a certain age it is a reminder of the fears we lived under at that time. In retrospect, it may be that Julian was wrong: it may have indeed been the very presence of these terrible weapons that prevented a third world war.
In any case, that aspect of the story never overshadows the movie's underlying theme, which is, rather, how each of us views the sum of our lives as our mortal end approaches. Are we alone? Have we connected with anyone? Have we failed? Have we loved? Have we been loved?
One of the most depressing movies ever made, but a truly great one.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[IstvanN1961]

As good as this movie is the book is absolutely chilling and I highly reccomend it.

[jtspock]

This music brings tears to my eyes every time i listen to it.

Great movies and great acting from some fine talent, that we will never see again.

[130545]

Maravillosa película. Recomiendo encarecidamente verla, pues el elenco de artistas es descomunal. Y el constante acompañamiento de "Waltzing Matilda" en los momentos claves del film estremece. Y mira que el texto de esa popular canción australiana es "difícil"... en el mejor sentido de la palabra "difícil".

[Maruna Junttila]

2000 On The beach.

[RPenta]

This movie could never be made today; not in the age of the endless War on Terrorism.

[RPenta]

What makes you think the book is dated? We don't know how close to midnight the nuclear clock is: now we have Islamic and Israeli players in the atomic cafe.

[Jim Franks]

This is the only symphonic version of this beautiful melody as of this writing. Believe me I have searched. Ernest Gold thank you! On the Beach in the late 50s struck a nerve with all of us in the cold war regime. When it finally debuted on Television CBS spoiled the entire effect by stating a disclaimer at the end of a very powerful movie. Nevil Shute has many novels researched beautifully. This was his best.

[mac gretz]

Nicely done montage. The only movie that brought tears to my father's eyes

[Rambler195]

One of the most poignant films ever made.

In my opinion it serves a metaphor for how everyone eventually faces the

end of their lives.

The fact that there is none of the sickly sweet sentimentality that so pervades

contemporary story telling makes it almost unbearable to watch .

Well done Nevil Shute.

[ziggy swartz]

I'm from '47 as well, and i know what you're saying. We went through the "duck & cover' drills- I lived near Detroit & the air raid sirens were tested every Saturday at 1pm, and as kids we just ignored it all mostly- I'm sure our parents were terrified. As a kid I was more interested in Annette's sweater on Mickey Mouse Club & later American Bandstand, or who the Tigers or the Wings were playing. But the atom bomb tests went on weekly, & you an I have strontium 90 in our bones to this day.

[Juan D'Alton]

Brisbane, 2012.

My wife and I checked how the "Australian" Anthony Perkins said "LEFTENANT" (pronunciation) and other words correctly, we are Australians. The viewer may like to see Maureen O'Hara in an Australian movie called "Kangaroo". A very good colour movie.

JCED.

[Juan D'Alton]

Brisbane, 2012.

But at the scene when Gregory Peck takes the drunk Ava Gardener character home and she was asleep, he put her on a bed then left switched the light out. My business was electronics and the switch knob was UP then he switched it off by pressing it downward as in Europe and the Americas. In Australia and New Zealand, down is ON and up is OFF.

JCED.