In the 1950s, as the US and Soviet Union were increasing and testing their nuclear weapons arsenal beyond all reason. It became evident to some that full scale nuclear war would end humanity. The first to die would be those within the radius of the blast. The subsequent radiation poisoning of the atmosphere would kill everyone else over the next few months. Nevil Shute's 1957 book On the Beach tells the story of individuals from the second group and how they prepare for the inevitable.

Nevil Shute Norway (1899-1960) was born in England and began his career as an aeronautical engineer. He worked for de Havilland Aircraft Company and Vickers where he worked as an engineer on the R100 dirigible. At the same time Nevil Shute (his pen name) was writing books. On The Beach and A Town Like Alice (also on this channel) where two of his most successful novels, though Mr. Shute considered Round The Bend his best work.

Sam Neill is best known for his roles in Jurassic Park, The Hunt For Red October, and a 12 episode series titled Reilly The Ace of Spies. Mr. Neill was also executive producer (i.e. he bankrolled the project) and host of a document series - The Pacific: In the Wake of Captain Cook with Sam Neil.

свернуть