About

Nuclear fallout from World War III permeates the Northern Hemisphere, draining it of life. As the fatal air slowly encompasses more of the planet, the remaining groups of human survivors await their fates in the southern pockets of the Earth. One of the final communities resides in Melbourne, where American Commander Dwight Towers (Gregory Peck) is stationed with his submarine crew. Upon receiving an inexplicable Morse code signal emanating from California, Towers must decide whether to abandon his romantic interest Moira Davidson (Ava Gardner) and the promise of a peaceful end in order to trek across the Pacific into the unknown.

Guided by a formidable ensemble cast – including Peck, Gardner, Anthony Perkins, and Fred Astaire in a rare non-musical role – this adaptation of British-Australian author Nevil Shrute’s 1957 novel is a powerful, melancholy depiction of a world awaiting its end.

On the Beach will screen from an archival 35mm print.

PG | Adult themes