ON THE BEACH (2000)

Details

• Release Year: 2000
• Genre: Drama, Science-Fiction, Suspense/Thriller
• Plot: When most of the world has been devastated by an atomic war, an American submarine sets out to investigate. Based on the novel by Nevil Shute.; ; In 2996, a Chinese blockade of Taiwan escalates into a nuclear missle exchange with the United States. The destruction is catastrophic. Months later, only small pockets of civilization remain alive on the planet, mostly in Australia.; ; The crew members of a U.S. Navy submarine, led by Commander Dwight Towers (Armand Assante), survive the war and place themselves and their vessel under the command of the Australian government. The USS Charleston's first assignment is to retieve a scientist, Julian Osborne (Bryan Brown), who has retreated to a secluded island to await the final devastation he believes will occur when radioactive fallout drifts into the southern hemisphere.; ; Next, the Auistralian Admiral (Rod Mullinar) sends the USS Charleston, with Osborne and Aussie Liaiison Officer, Peter Holmes (Grant Bowler), to measure radiation levels in the Pacific Northwest and to determine the source of a mysterious computer message emanation form Anchorage, Alaska.; ; Before embarking, Towers meets a spirited local woman, Moira Davidson (Rachel Ward), former fiancee of Julian Osborne. Grieving over the deaths of his wife and children, Towers responds slowly to her advances. Also, Julian feels rekindled affection for Moira, whom he left weeks before an elaborately planned wedding. The ensuring rivalry with Towers ultimately adds tension to their dangerous mission.; ; They leave with hope, but return with fatal news - radioactive levels are still deadly. The transmission from Alaska leads to a grisly discovery that sinks the crew into despair. Towers' second-in-command, Lt. Hirsch (Steve Bastoni), suffers a fatal tear in his radiation suit. In Melbourne, with radioactiove fallout slowly drifting toward tem, anarchy and chaos erupt and Towers and the Navy face anger and resentment. Some choose to live their final weeks piously, while others dream futile dreams and hope for an impossible miracle.; ; Julian amuses himself with a gleaming red Ferrari. Homes and his wife Mary seek solace in their love, and face a heartbreaking decision about their baby. Towers is forced to choose between his newfound love with Moira and his duty and commitment to his men.; ; In the final days and hours, humankind's greatest faulures, as well as its greatest virturs - love, courage, loyalty and compassion - reveal themselves heroically and tragically.
• Cast: Armand Assante, Rachel Ward, Bryan Brown, Jacqueline McKenzie, Grant Bowler, Allison Webber, Tieghan Webber, Steve Bastoni, David Ross Paterson, Kevin Copeland, Todd MacDonald, Joe Petruzzi, Craig Beamer, Jonathan Oldham, Trent Huen, Donni Frizzell, Jonathan Stuart, Sam Loy, Charlie Clausen, Robert Rabiah, Marc Carra, Rod Mullinar, Felicity Boyd, Bill Hunter, Charles 'Bud' Tingwell, Mark Mitchell, John Higginson, Kate Kendall, Heather Mitchell, Nicholas Hammond, Bruce Hughes, David Tredinnick, Antonia Murphy, Adam McKee, Michael Fry, Jennifer Castles, Peter Mendoza, Alyce Platt, Madeline Cenedese, Darren Casha, David Argue, Tom Considine, Catherine Sutherland, Mark Pennell, Warwick Begg, Sandra Murphy, Carlie Murphy, John Murphy, Robert Lowe, Rachel Valentyne, Christian Bell, Martin Copping, Julie Day, Naomi Ramos, Jorge Onasis, Nina Godinbo, Michael Carman, Frederique Fouche, Robbie MacFarlane, Christopher Cummins, Trent Baker, Stephanie Chen, Simon Lyssiotis, Bassem Abousaid, Geoff Burgess, Russell Mulcahy
• Director: Russell Mulcahy
• Runtime: 3:29
• Company: Australian Film Finance Corporation, A Southern Star Production, Coote Hayes Productions
• Media Format: movie