10 Best Submarine Movies You Probably Haven't Seen
3. On The Beach (1959)
A post-apocalyptic submarine story that tapped right into the nuclear paranoia of the 1950s and 1960s, On the Beach remains an overlooked, terrifying gem of the genre. Stanley Kramer's science fiction drama is set in the days after global annihilation following a nuclear war. A band of survivors are forced to come to terms with the fact that all life will likely be extinct in a matter of months. The films stars Gregory Peck as the commander of the USS Sawfish, which is ordered to come ashore by the Australian Navy.
The film recorded a loss of over $700,000 when it was released despite largely positive reviews. It is a grim but ultimately hopeful story about treasuring and preserving human life feels like a timeless message despite the historical specificity of the film itself. Kramer manages to put together an arresting story about power and warfare while blending this with an alarming message about nuclear capability. It is an urgency carried forward throughout post-apocalyptic science fiction.
On The Beach also stars Ava Gardner, and Fred Astaire. Kramer meanwhile proved to be an influence on many high-profile directors, most notably Steven Spielberg. In a tribute, Spielberg described him as an "incredibly talented visionary."