On the Beach (1959 film)

On the Beach
Theatrical release poster by Nicola Simbari
Directed byStanley Kramer
Screenplay byJohn Paxton
Based onOn the Beach
1957 novel
by Nevil Shute
Produced byStanley Kramer
StarringGregory Peck
Ava Gardner
Fred Astaire
Anthony Perkins
Donna Anderson
CinematographyGiuseppe Rotunno
Edited byFrederic Knudtson
Music byErnest Gold
Production
companies
Lomitas Productions Inc.
Spinel Entertainment
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • December 17, 1959 (1959-12-17)
Running time
134 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.9 million
Box office$2.2 million

On the Beach is a 1959 American apocalyptic science fiction drama film, starring Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner, Fred Astaire, and Anthony Perkins. Produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, it is based on Nevil Shute's 1957 novel of the same title depicting the aftermath of a nuclear war. Unlike the novel, no one is assigned blame for starting the war, which attributes global annihilation to fear, compounded by accident or misjudgment. The film received mixed reviews from critics.