On The Beach is a grim, depressing story about the end of mankind from the fallout of nuclear war. Captain Towers (Gregory Peck) and his passengers have survived only because they were submerged in a submarine during the time. Scientist Osborne (Fred Astaire) says that Australia is the last safe place on earth, but it is only a matter of time before the fallout kills them all. When they land, the government is handing out suicide pills, and the characters plan their last moments. Moira (Ava Gardner) wants to party all the time, and a young couple tenderly rejoice their togetherness before death. When the group debates using the pills, they come to believe human race was doomed even before someone "pushed the button."