On the beach…
A few nights ago… I hired out on video the Australian two-part mini series remake* of the 1959 movie of Neville Shute’s epic novel “On the Beach” starring Australians Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward… and of course the beautiful Armand Assante… (who incidentally has been described variously as perhaps the sexiest man alive… and who am I to argue? But I digress *wink*)
watercolour on pavitt panel - Collection Dr.S.& Mrs.L.Leong.
As I hadn’t read the novel… nor seen the 1959 film version… (where on the planet have I been?) I’m not sure what I had expected, but I certainly got more than I had bargained for!
I am telling you this by way of explanation for the long interval between posts here.
This movie stopped me completely in my tracks… the film’s message and far reaching consequences has played on my mind for days and I have (literally) been unable to ‘create’ anything. Okay… it’s just a work of fiction I hear you all say… but is it really so far from possibility?
For those who haven’t seen this movie… you simply must!
For those who have seen the movie… you will already know that the the plot, the action, the acting (especially the acting), the very human (and entirely believable) storyline and final devastating outcome, are all at once, exceptional, profound, gripping, heartbreaking, shocking, demanding, heartwarming and endearing… encompassing and embracing the full gamut of human emotion within it’s 202 minutes of life changing drama.
Fact… stranger (and scarier) than fiction… Hiroshima 1945
And more recently… in 1986 the catastrophe that was Chernobyl… read Elena’s story here
While some of the facts surrounding the plot (which was originally penned by Neville Shute in 1957) at first seem a little far fetched… (nuclear holocaust on a global scale)… it isn’t long into the movie before the “inspired” cast has sucked us into the vortex of their very pesonal dilemma… convincing us that not only is this “real”… it “really is happening” to them… (and as a consequence of my vivid imagination and sensitive artistic nature)… also to us!
I found myself roaming from character to character, so easily slipping into their shoes, and wondering what I would do and how I would cope. In short… I couldn’t. Nor could they. But plainly… they had no choice. It was a heartwarming testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit to see how they lived out their final days… with grace and dignity and good humour… while the world as they had known it… crumbled into anarchy and disarray.
I loved the scene where Bryan Brown’s character Prof. Osbourne arrives at the house with a Van Gogh under his arm…stolen… (ahem) “given” to him by a guard at the National Gallery who was souveniring Renoirs for himself at the same time. A max impact scene poignantly and humourously pointing to the fact that material wealth and historical treasures were no longer of any value… all that remained was humanity itself… pared down to the many forms of enduring love that one human being can have for another.
Vincent Van Gogh, “Irises” Saint-Rémy, France, 1889
I think everyone on this precious planet of ours should see this film. It may be uncomfortable to watch… but this movie deals with issues we should all be more than concerned about… especially in light of events currently ‘in play’ in our modern world. The insanity and inanity of the current crisis in the Middle East… coupled with the uprising of religious zealotry… and rogue states with staggering nuclear capability… should be a matter of grave concern to us all.
FUZZY LOGIC - We should all tread very carefully in our choice of those who will lead us into our future… for those who have led us thus far, have fallen a long way short of protecting us from the very real prospect of this kind of disaster at some time in the not too distant future.
In my view none of us can afford to sit on our hands on this one… cos (I don’t know about you) but I don’t want this to happen on “my beach”!
What do you think? Would love to hear what you have to say…
Beach baby from way back “On the beach” - Bingil Bay, North Queensland, Australia.
*The Australian two-part mini series “On the Beach” is available for a couple of dollars on amazon.com
February 16th, 2007 at 5:50 am
Jean, I saw this movie many years ago at a theatre in London. I have never forgotten it and it must be atleast 30 years ago. This movie gave me nightmares for weeks afterwards but I don’t regret seeing it. I could not handle seeing it now. Like you, I become part of the movie when I watch it and begin to live in their world not mine. When I saw ‘One flew ove the Cockoo Nest”, I was convienced for weeks that I was going insane. (Now, Now, nevermind that I am never completely sane) How do we know who is the right person to elect.? Seems to me that all of them are tarred with the same brush, no matter, what the name of the party. They all talk a good talk but in the end, none of them seem to do anything except what is politically correct and has gain for them personally. On that dismal note, will close for the night. Take care, my friend and if you come up with an answer, let me know.
February 16th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Oh Lee… I had meant for this topic to be a cheery one… but the cheery one I planned had to take a back seat… until I could get the residue of this movie out of my system! LOL Hope I didn’t make you too sad!
This particular remake (which incidentally isn’t new either - it was made in 2000) was particularly good because of the cast. In fact… I think the story would have been less believeable had it not been for the stellar performances of Brown, Ward, Assante, Bowler and McKenzie in particular. Theirs was a skilful delivery of a very powerful message! The scenes were textural and rich and the cinematography was fabulous too… with sweeping aerial footage of the Great Ocean Road and the twelve apostles not far from Melbourne… where Moira Davidson’s little shack stood atop a mighty precipice looking out to sea… and where, in the final scene Cmdr. Dwight Towers and Moira spent their last hours on a picnic rug, with champagne and strawberries, waiting for the nuclear cloud to descend. *sigh* omg…now I’m back there! LOL
February 16th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
From life comes art…..and vice-versa! I too have seen this movie - powerful stuff alright! It makes me think of another movie that “predicts” Was it called the China Syndrome (Cher)? Anyway………the planet is in such upheaval, war, politics, changing weather patterns and general discontent within the human race. But, what scares me the most is the up and coming “next generation” and their attitude. They seem to think that everything should be handed to them on a silver platter merely because they exist!!!!!!!!!! I see so much incredible selfishness where all they are concerned about is having “the best”, looking the best and having the most.
I spent most of my youth working on farms and putting up with going “without” - finding another way! I was concerned with water consumption and growing my own food back then! My point is, that it is a very real prospect that we shall have to look closely at who we are and what we can do, as the world as we know it …is about to change, for one reason or another. Survival of the fittest is still the rule - not the wealthiest or the most beautiful. It occurs to me that this particular attitude is brought about because people are only thinking about what they can accumulate, rather than what they can contribute - there lies the selfishness. I get pretty worked up when I think about this!
February 16th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Well said Jools
I must have been a serious kind of kid too… as I remember exchanging letters with my Dad when I was at boarding school back in the 70s about the insanity of the French nuclear tests in the Pacific!
I agree about the Y Generation… but we also have to look at their parents… baby boomers and Gen X’ers… who should have (and could have) instilled better values by way of a better example. We’ve had quite a bit of competition in their upbringing tho… from television, movies and the media… whose negative influence cannot be underestimated (in my book). On the bright side… they will grow up… and with maturity (sometimes) comes wisdom and insight!
Thanks for commenting Jools…
February 17th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
First of all, Jean, I love your watercolor! And it makes a powerful and ironic lead-in to the discussion of “On the Beach.” The sad and frustrating thing about all our railings about the thugs who have brought the world to this point is, I fear, that mankind is simply a blight on the earth, a natural calamity, a force spreading havoc like plagues of locusts only much more potent. Even the most benign of Man’s works, like cities, housing developments, and superhighways, cause upheaval, far in excess of what one volcano, flood, or tornado can do. The reality is that there is no such thing as destruction in the universe, only change, and the forces of nature are only forces of change. There’s no good or evil. What comes this way will pass, and make way for something else. Scientists now claim to have proof of water on Mars, which ups the chance that there once was or may still be primitive life forms on that planet. The best any one of us can do is share with others the beauty that’s in our heads and hearts, as you’re doing with that lovely painting.
February 17th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Yes, you are right Jean - we have created the monster that the human race is. A mini series such as “On the Beach” can bring about the reality of the predicament we could all very well find ourselves in.
I also agree with John - life is about change and how we deal with that change. Our planet has gone through catastrophic changes through its own history - something always survives to begin a new cycle. I am always fascinated with what the experts dig up and where…..did you see “the lovers” that were discovered, skeletons that were clinging to each other when they died. There is also the numerous animals that have been found, perfectly preserved with food still in their mouths and stomachs - awesome! I think that if the world were to “end”…I would rather not know. I would rather not say goodbye to someone - I would rather have them with me.
It would be nice to think that you have your affairs in order and be able to convey how you feel to someone special if you knew your time was up. My affairs may not be in order, but those I love are told every day. Heavy stuff - but thought worthy!!!!
February 18th, 2007 at 1:46 am
Great thoughts, Jools. The world as we know will “end” sometime, but the energy that holds it all together will remain forever. I believe that “love” flows from that energy as a powerful positive force. Meditating on this force — what it is, why it exists at all — is amazingly cleansing. I like to think about the title of Gaugin’s masterpiece, “Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?”, and realize that this is the question that is central to being an artist. The endless qeustfor the answer is an act of love.
February 18th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Here, here John! Is that act of love, the love for life?
February 18th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Oh my John! “A blight on the earth”?!! Surely human kind has the potential and capacity to change too. I have to believe this. Even though living here in the United States, in the midst of abject selfish consumerism, I have to cling to hope that people can and must be influenced to live harmoniously with the rest of the world, (and I mean world, not just humankind…). My husband and I have worked hard as parents to bring our sons up with a sense of appreciative understanding of their surroundings…and it’s difficult when their peers seem to take all things for granted. We lead such lives of luxury here in the states it’s no wonder people want to immigrate here and share in a piece of the pie. My frustration lies in people’s lack of understanding behind this luxurious lifestyle. The more we consume, the greater the consequences on the global environment . The more we waste the more we exploit those living in third world countries whose livelihoods have been jepardized by our continuous need for more. If we could learn, (and we can!) to live more simply I’m fairly certain the evils of the world would subside.
I the meanwhile I will vote my conscience and campaign for those candidates that represent fair living…a far cry from what our present government seems to advocate.
February 18th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Oh yeah…Iove the painting too!!!! I just fall into your watercolors Jean and take a little honeymoon from the real world. So peaceful and warm!
February 19th, 2007 at 12:45 am
JOHN - I guess “On the Beach” was a poignant reminder of how far civilisation has come in a relatively very short time. We are dabbling in (and tampering with) forces of nature that we don’t fully comprehend or necessarily fully understand… without proper thought or consideration for the consequences of our actions… and without the necessary antidote for the calamities we may cause! Add to that… blatant disregard (ignorance) and self interest at the political level and we have a very serious situation. Scary stuff.
JOOLS - I’m with you… love conquers all in the end. Therein lies our hope for the future.
MARY - Like you… I cannot (and will always refuse to) lose sight of the goodness in humankind. I think there will always be hope for the future when there are good people (dare I say like us here?) who are raising (and teaching) our children good values.
I think this was the single most powerful message put across in the movie “On the Beach” - that in the end what we thought was important (money and material “things”) meant nothing at all - like I said - in the end life was “pared down to the many forms of enduring love that one human being can have for another”
Thanks for your great comments everyone!
February 19th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Jean, John’s link to your blog brought me here, but your writing and comments have kept me reading and interested as they did in the ArtCafe. I have bookmarked your blog as I have John’s.
What a great site you have!
February 19th, 2007 at 3:46 am
It’s so great to see you here Katherine! Thank you for your lovely comments!