On The Beach

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In 2006, a Chinese blockade of Taiwan escalates into a nuclear missile 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 of the 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 retrieve 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 Australian Admiral (Rod Mullinar) sends the USS Charleston, with Osborne and Aussie liaison officer Peter Holmes (Grant Bowler), to measure radiation levels in the Pacific Northwest and to determine the source of a mysterious computer message emanating from 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 ensuing 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 radioactive fallout slowly drifting toward them, 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.