Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

On the Beach Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 21, 2022

Stanley Kramer's "On the Beach" (1959) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment. The supplemental features on the release include exclusive new program with critic Kim Newman; exclusive new audio commentary by critic Adrian Martin; new video essay by costume historian Elissa Rose; Lawrence Johnston's documentary "Fallout"; archival production and promotional materials; and a lot more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

This film from the great director Stanley Kramer emerged at a time when the world was divided by two superpowers with similar ambitions. It had a clear message that they could easily destroy it even if they learned to trust each other. Nearly sixty years later, however, this message remains as relevant as it has ever been.

After a quick nuclear war, Australia is the only place with survivors, but its atmosphere has started changing. Informed military leaders and scientists have determined that there are only a few months left before the deadly radiation from the northern hemisphere reaches the continent.

In Melbourne, submarine commander Dwight Towers (Gregory Peck, Pork Chop Hill) meets the lonely beauty Moira Davidson (Ava Gardner, The Devil's Widow). They quickly warm up to each other, but their relationship is awkward. Dwight struggles to come to terms with the fact that he has lost his family in a pointless war, while Moira senses that she has met the best man in her life at the wrong time.

When a mysterious radio signal is detected somewhere in San Francisco, Australian Admiral Bridie (John Tate, Pacific Adventure) organizes an exploration team and Dwight is asked to be its leader. But there isn’t a lot of optimism amongst its members. The eccentric scientist Julian Osborn (Fred Astaire, Easter Parade) is convinced that it is too early to assume that the atmosphere has absorbed the radiation and started regenerating itself. Lieutenant Peter Holmes (Anthony Perkins, The Trial) thinks that he ought to be next to his wife Mary (Donna Anderson), who is on the verge of a serious nervous breakdown. Other men also think that the end is near and that they should be left to enjoy their final hours as best as they can.

At times the film can be strikingly beautiful but it is almost unbearably gloomy. There is an incredibly eerie calmness in it because the survivors have accepted their fate and have started preparing for the inevitable end. No one attempts to condemn the nuclear war or the people that started it because it no longer matters; now the only thing that does is time -- and the survivors are quickly running out of it.

The film is completely free of melodrama. There are unusual contrasts on display that have emerged from the desperation that is felt everywhere. For a while, the survivors attempt to maintain some sense of order and act rationally, but then the fear and hopelessness of the situation overwhelm them. Several sequences show the exact moments when they collapse that are incredibly powerful -- some gather and drink until they pass out, some take pills to end their misery, and some choose to die while competing in an utterly pointless car race.

The stars shine bright. Peck is great as the devastated commander who has lost his family and can’t quite cope with the emotional pain. Gardner looks stunning while playing the disillusioned Moira who has started drinking because all of her dreams have been crushed. Perkins is very convincing as the husband and father who must remain strong until the end. Astaire is also excellent as the cynical scientist.

Kramer and acclaimed Italian Giuseppe Rotunno (Fellini Satyricon, All That Jazz) shot the bulk of the film on location in Australia. Vice Admiral Charles Andrews Lockwood, the U.S. Navy commander of the Pacific submarine fleet during World War II, was invited as a technical adviser.

The film is based on British novelist Nevil Shute’s bestseller of the same name. The screenplay is by John Paxton (Crossfire, Murder, My Sweet).

On the Beach Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, On the Beach arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Via Vision Entertainment.

The only other release of On the Beach that I have in my library is this Region-B release from Signal One Entertainment, which is sourced from an older master that was supplied by MGM. Via Vision Entertainment's release is sourced from the same master.

I think that On the Beach looks quite good in high-definition. Obviously, the ideal scenario would have been to have the film redone in 4K, but there is nothing seriously wrong with the current master. Delineation, clarity, and depth range from good to very good, while the grayscale is very convincing. Also, there are no traces of problematic digital tinkering, which means that the visuals have nice organic qualities. Image stability is good, though there are a few small bumps here and there. So, what could have been improved? A proper new 4K master would instantly strengthen density levels, which are already good. With superior grain exposure, some very small nuances would have been better. There is room for minor cosmetic improvements, which would have eliminated the various surface imperfections that pop up, like tiny flecks and blemishes. A 1.85:1 reframing would be good to have as well, but the entire film looks very good in 1.66:1. This is basically it. So, this release offers a slightly dated but still very attractive organic presentation of the film. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your player regardless of your geographical location).

On the Beach Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The dialog is easy to follow. However, On the Beach needs a properly restored original Mono track. What is currently available, on this release and on the Region-B release, are basically serviceable options. My guess is that a while ago a decision was made to have the 5.1 track as the go-to track for the film and as a result at the moment there isn't a proper Mono track. I assume that this is why there is some unevenness, channel splitting, etc. Also, from time to time you will notice some very light background hiss trying to sneak in as well.

On the Beach Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

BLU-RAY DISC ONE - ON THE BEACH

• Commentary One - a rather unusual audio commentary offering an analysis of the film by Dr. Philip Davey, author of When Hollywood Came To Melbourne, which is read by actor Douglas Hansell. The bulk of the information pertains to the production history of the film and the political environment in which it was made.

• Commentary Two - this exclusive new audio commentary was recorded by film scholar Adrian Martin. The commentary focuses on the genre identity and tone of the film, the key themes that are channeled through it and their significance at the time when the film was produced and now, the relationships between the main characters, and the careers of the people that made the film.

• "Kim Newman on Apocalypse Cinema" - in this exclusive new program, critic Kim Newman deconstructs On the Beach and discusses the socio-political environment in which the film emerged as well as some very particular mass anxieties that defined it. In English, not subtitled. (22 min).

• "No Safety Nets: Human Horror and On the Beach" - this exclusive new video essay was created by critic Kat Ellinger. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

• "Clothes to Die For: The Costumes of Ava Gardner" - this exclusive new video essay was created by costume historian Elissa Rose. In English, not subtitled. (16 min).

• Archival Audio Interview with Gregory Peck - in this archival audio interview, Gregory Peck discusses Stanley Kramer's message in On the Beach and its significance, his involvement with the film, and its reception and success. In English, not subtitled. (25 min).

• "Big Stars Arrive in Melbourne" - presented here is an original 1958 newsreel highlighting the arrival of the stars of On the Beach and its director, Stanley Kramer, in Melbourne. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

• Making On the Beach - this documentary feature was shot by amateur filmmaker R. Gosling during the filming of On the Beach in Melbourne's suburb of Frankston in January 1959. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Radio Spots - presented here is a collection of original radio spots for On the Beach. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Trailer - original trailer for On the Beach. The trailer includes footage from the world premieres of the film. In English, not subtitled. (5 min).

• Stanley Kramer's Photo Album - the cards can be displayed with optional explanatory text.

• Ava Gardner Wardrobe Gallery - silent. (2 min).

• Poster and Lobby Cards Gallery - a large collection of original poster and lobby cards for On the Beach. Silent. (4 min).

• Stills/Behind-the-Scenes Gallery - silent. (9 min).

BLU-RAY DISC TWO - FALLOUT

• Fallout (2013) - presented here is Australian filmmaker Lawrence Johnston's excellent documentary Fallout about the making of On the Beach and the socio-political environment that inspired it. Included in it are clips from interviews with journalist and author Gideon Haigh, Nevil Shute's daughter Heather Mayfield, Stanley Kramer's widow Karen Kramer, etc. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles. 1080p. LPCM 2.0. (91 min).

• "After the Fallout: Interview with Director Lawrence Johnston" - in this exclusive new video interview, director Lawrence Johnston explains what inspired him to make Fallout and how On the Beach impacted him. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Trailer - an original theatrical trailer for Fallout. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

• Booklet - 40-page illustrated booklet with archival stills and promotional materials for On the Beach.

On the Beach Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is cynical to believe that the message of Stanley Kramer's film On the Beach is dated because the Cold War is over. (The Cold War isn't over either. It went through a transitional period and the players that are involved in it now follow different rules). Considering recent developments in Ukraine, it is actually as relevant as it has ever been. This lavish two-disc set presents On the Beach and Lawrence Johnston's outstanding documentary Fallout about its production, as well as a great selection of exclusive new and archival bonus features. Both discs are Region-Free. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.