Editing Gregory Peck (section)

===1958–1959: Reflections on violence===
[[File:Joan Collins Gregory Peck The Bravados 1958.jpg|thumb|Peck and [[Joan Collins]] in ''The Bravados'' (1958)]]
[[File:Carroll Peck Big Country Promo.jpg|thumb|Peck and [[Carroll Baker]] in ''[[The Big Country]]'' (1958)]]
Peck's next movie, the Western ''[[The Bravados]]'' (1958), reunited him with director [[Henry King (director)|Henry King]] after a six-year gap.<ref name="britannica.com"/> King was widely considered to have produced some of Peck's best work; Peck once said "King was like an older brother, even a father figure. We communicated without talking anything to death. It was direction by osmosis."<ref name="ew.com"/><ref name="mubi.com">{{cite web |last=Von Bagh |first=Peter |title=Henry King: Beyond the American Dream |website=Mubi.com |date=June 17, 2019 |url=https://mubi.com/notebook/posts/henry-king-beyond-the-american-dream |access-date=July 27, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Concentration 1974">{{cite web |title=Circle of Concentration: Gregory Peck in an interview with Gordon Gow |work=[[Films and Filming]] |date=September 1974 |url=https://www.theactorswork.com/2013/04/films-and-filming-gregory-peck.html |via=theactorswork.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> In ''The Bravados'', Peck's character spends weeks pursuing four outlaws whom he believes raped and murdered his wife and agonizing over his own morals.<ref name="auto30">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-bravados-v6960|title=The Bravados (1958) |last=Erickson |first=Hal |website=Allmovie.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="auto37">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/06/26/archives/the-bravados-at-paramount-gregory-peck-stars-in-adult-western.html|title=The Bravados' at Paramount; Gregory Peck Stars in Adult Western|first=A. H.|last=Weiler|date=June 26, 1958|work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/06/26/archives/the-bravados-at-paramount-gregory-peck-stars-in-adult-western.html |title=The Bravados' at Paramount; Gregory Peck Stars in Adult Western |last=Weiler |first=A. H. |work=The New York Times |date=June 26, 1958 |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> The film was a moderate success, finishing in the top 20 of the box office for 1959.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1958/top-grossing-movies |title=Annual Movie Chart - 1958 |website=the-numbers.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 |quote=gross of 4.4 million, 1.6 million behind the 11th grossing movie but 1.2 million more than Vertigo which was 22nd}}</ref><ref name="auto19"/> In recent years, the film and Peck's performance have received mixed reviews,{{efn|name=TheBravadosReviews| Leonard Maltin says it is "compelling;"<ref name="Maltin, Leonard 2005"/> Hal Erickson of ''AllMovie'' labeling it, "as grim and compelling as ''The Gunfighter'';"<ref name="auto30"/> film writer Peter Von Bagh asserts Peck's performance conveys an "ethical and charismatic radiance",<ref name="mubi.com"/> Adrian Turner of the ''Radio Times'' opines the movie "isn't imbued with the emotional conviction it needs from either Peck or the usually capable director Henry King,"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/8hf5/the-bravados/|title=The Bravados – review &#124; cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online|website=Radio Times|access-date=November 1, 2019|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101141032/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/8hf5/the-bravados/|url-status=dead}}</ref> "TV Guide also says "Outstanding in the film are color shots of gorges and precipitous mountains."A.H. Weiler of ''The New York Times'' had also said "Peck lends conviction to a role that could be a stereotype,"<ref name="auto37"/>}} with ''Time Out'' asserting that "Peck's "crisis of conscience{{nbsp}}... is worked out in perfunctory religious terms;"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-bravados|title=The Bravados|website=Time Out London|date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref> and ''TV Guide'' stating that Peck's cowboy's "moment of truth is a powerful one and he gives it all the value it deserves, although much of his acting up to then had been lackluster".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-bravados/review/119264|title=The Bravados &#124; TV Guide|website=TV Guide}}</ref>

In 1956, Peck made a foray into the film production business, organizing Melville Productions and later, Brentwood Productions.<ref name="encyclopedia.com">{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/film-and-television-biographies/gregory-peck|title=Gregory Peck |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia.com}}</ref> These companies produced five movies over seven years, all starring Peck,<ref name="encyclopedia.com"/> including ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'', for which Peck served as the executive producer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17710/pork-chop-hill|title=Pork Chop Hill (1959) - Overview - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> The films were observed by some as being more political,<ref name="Turner, Adrian"/> although Peck said he tried to avoid any "overt preachiness".<ref name="ew.com"/> In 1958, Peck and good friend [[William Wyler]] co-produced the Western epic ''[[The Big Country]]'' (1958) separate from Peck's production company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17447/the-big-country#articles-reviews|title=The Big Country (1958) - Articles - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> The project ran into numerous issues. Wyler and Peck were dissatisfied with the script, which underwent almost daily revisions after each day's shooting, causing stress for the performers;<ref name="auto38">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17447/the-big-country#notes|title=The Big Country (1958) - Notes - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> the actors would arrive the next day and find their lines and even entire scenes different from what they had prepared.<ref name="gvnews.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.gvnews.com/lifestyle/hollywood-at-home-big-challenges-filming-the-big-country/article_8b29b562-f8af-11e3-a86e-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Hollywood at Home: Big challenges filming 'The Big Country'|first=Victoria|last=Lucas|website=Green Valley News & Sun|date=June 24, 2014 }}</ref> The stellar cast included [[Jean Simmons]], [[Carrol Baker]], [[Chuck Connors]], [[Charlton Heston]] and [[Burl Ives]]; Ives won the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] for his intense performance. There were disagreements between director Wyler and the performers, resulting in Peck storming off-set when Wyler refused to re-shoot a close-up scene;<ref name="auto38"/> Peck and Wyler's relationship remained strained for three years after production.<ref name="auto38"/><ref name="gvnews.com"/> Peck said in 1974 that he had tried producing and acting simultaneously and felt "either it can't be done or it's just that I don't do it well".<ref name="Concentration 1974"/>

The film itself was a big hit, finishing fourth at the domestic box office in 1958<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1958/top-grossing-movies|title=The Numbers - Top-Grossing Movies of 1958|website=The Numbers}}</ref> and second in the UK.<ref>Four British Films In 'Top 6': Boulting Comedy Heads Box Office List. ''The Guardian'' (1959–2003) [London (UK)] December 11, 1959.</ref><ref name="Monush, Barry"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-big-country-v5401|title=The Big Country (1958) - Synopsis |last=Erickson |first=Hal |website=Allmovie.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref><ref name="auto55">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-big-country-v5401/review |title=The Big Country (1958) - Review |first=Michael |last=Betzold |website=Allmovie.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> At the time of release, reviews for ''The Big Country'' were mixed regarding the producers' prioritization of characterization versus technical filmmaking; opinions on Peck's performance were also disparate.{{efn|name=TheBigCountryReviews|Bosley Crowther wrote, "''The Big Country'' does not get far beneath the skin of its conventional Western situation and its stock Western characters. It skims across standard complications and ends on a platitude even if the verbal construction and pictorial development of (complications/incidents) are measured, meticulous, robust and ringing with organ tones".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1958/10/02/archives/war-and-peace-on-range-in-big-country-gregory-peck-stars-in-wylers.html|title=War and Peace on Range in 'Big Country'; Gregory Peck Stars in Wyler's Western Action-Packed Film Scores Violence|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|date=October 2, 1958|work=The New York Times}}</ref> ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' argued the efforts to convey a peace message were "superficial and pedestrian" adding that "the pivotal character of McKay, played on a monotonously self-righteous note by Peck, never comes alive. It's mainly due to the power of the climatic canyon battle, and Burl Ives' interesting playing as Rufus, that this remains a not unsympathetic film."<ref>"The Big Country". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (301): 14. February 1959.</ref> ''Variety'' said it is "armed with a serviceable, adult western yarn{{nbsp}}... The camera has captured a vast section of the southwest with such fidelity that the long stretches of dry country, in juxtaposition to tiny western settlements, and the giant canyon country in the arid area, have been recorded with almost three-dimensional effect" and "As a peace-loving easterner, Peck gives one of his better performances," with the other actors also giving strong performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1957/film/reviews/the-big-country-1200419045/|title=The Big Country|date=January 1, 1958|work=Variety}}</ref> ''Harrison Reports'' declared it was "a first-rate super western, beautifully photographed" and added, "It is a long picture, perhaps too long for what the story has to offer, but there is never a dull moment from start to finish and it holds one's interest tightly throughout."<ref>'The Big Country' with Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker and Charlton Heston". Harrison's Reports: 128. August 9, 1958.</ref>}} In recent decades, critical opinion of ''The Big Country'' has generally risen, although there is still disagreement; many prominent critics and publications describe the cinematography as excellent, some laud Peck's performance, and some cite the film as too long.{{efn|name=TheBigCountryModernReviews|Michael Betzold of ''AllMovie'' writes, "Staggering vistas and grandiose story make this an emblematic Western, though its emotions are transparent."<ref name="auto55"/> Leonard Maltin says it is "overblown{{nbsp}}... the score has become a classic."<ref name="Maltin, Leonard 2005"/> Ronald Bergen describes it as "rousing epic" with "both sweep and substance" listing the "exciting opening sequence involving a carriage chase" and several action scenes as being highlights.<ref name="auto20"/> Barry Monush enthuses Peck is "excellent as a man of integrity in a fine western."<ref name="Monush, Barry"/> ''TV Guide'' argues it is "A huge, sprawling western with just about everything: brilliant photography, superb music, an intelligent script and excellent performances. If you hate westerns, you'll still enjoy this picture because the story could have taken place{{nbsp}}... anywhere{{nbsp}}... strong personalities clash. It's too long, true. Sharper editing was needed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-big-country/review/106935|title=The Big Country &#124; TV Guide|website=TV Guide}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-big-country|title=The Big Country|website=Time Out London|access-date=November 18, 2019|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801052951/https://www.timeout.com/london/film/the-big-country|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/fn65yb/the-big-country/|title=The Big Country – review &#124; cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online|website=Radio Times|access-date=October 30, 2019|archive-date=October 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030152236/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/fn65yb/the-big-country/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Peck's next feature was ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959), based on true events depicted in a book.<ref name="auto45">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/05/30/archives/pork-chop-hill-war-drama-directed-by-lewis-milestone.html|title=Pork Chop Hill'; War Drama Directed by Lewis Milestone|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|date=May 30, 1959|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Peck portrays a lieutenant during the [[Korean War]] who is ordered to use his infantry company to take the strategically insignificant Pork Chop Hill, as its capture would strengthen the U.S.'s position in the almost-complete armistice negotiations.<ref name="auto24">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1958/film/reviews/pork-chop-hill-1200419342/|title=Pork Chop Hill|date=January 1, 1959|work=Variety}}</ref> As executive producer, Peck recruited Lewis Milestone of ''[[All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 film)|All Quiet on the Western Front]]'' (1930) to direct. Many critics label it as an anti-war film;<ref name="Monush, Barry"/><ref name="auto27">{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/pork-chop-hill|title=Pork Chop Hill|website=Time Out London|date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref> it has also been stated that "as shooting progressed it became clear Peck and Milestone had very different artistic visions."<ref name="ISBN pg. 216">Lewis milestone: Life and Films, Harlow Robinson, University of Kentucky Press, 2019. {{ISBN|0813178355}}, 9780813178356 pg. 216.</ref> Peck later said the movie showed "the futility of settling political arguments by killing young men. We tried not to preach; we let it speak for itself."<ref name="ew.com"/> Despite solid reviews, the film did only fair business at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/market/1959/top-grossing-movies |title=Annual Movie Chart - 1959 |website=the-numbers.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 |quote=grossed $3.7 million whereas No. 10 film of year grossed $10 million.}}</ref> Most critics, both upon ''Pork Chop Hill''{{'}}s opening{{efn|name=PorkChopHillReviewsAtRelease|Bosley Crowther wrote, the battle scenes "as directed by Lewis Milestone, an old war-film hand, are realistic and effective" and "all represented expertly{{nbsp}}... but the awesome and lasting impressive feature is that enemy "voice" (from battle speakers) articulating all the resentments and misgivings of the American troops" and "the audacity to produce such a grim and rugged film, which tacitly points to the obsoleteness of ground warfare, merits applause."<ref name="auto45"/> ''Variety'' wrote, "Pork Chop Hill is a grim, utterly realistic story that drives home both the irony of war and the courage men can summon to die in a cause they don't understand for and an objective which they know to be totally irrelevant. The accent on the combat is such that{{nbsp}}... the other men barely emerge as people. They look real, they sound real."<ref name="auto24"/>}} and in recent years,{{efn|name=PorkChopHillReviewsModern|Leonard Maltin writes "gritty{{nbsp}}... with an impressive cast."<ref name="Maltin, Leonard 2005"/> Scott McGee of TCM says the film is "told with a hard-nosed style of harsh realism and fluid action" and "it was the sure-handed direction of veteran Lewis Milestone that determined the impact of Pork Chop Hill."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17710/pork-chop-hill#articles-reviews|title=Pork Chop Hill (1959) - Articles - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> Tony Sloman of ''Radio Times'' writes "This is the definitive Korean War movie{{nbsp}}... Bleak and glum, it boasts a superb all-male cast headed by Gregory Peck at his glummest{{nbsp}}... the action sequences are terrific."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/fnft59/pork-chop-hill/ |title=Pork Chop Hill |website=Radio Times |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102213320/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/fnft59/pork-chop-hill/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Time Out'' writes "It details (quite brilliantly) the bloody assault on a hill of no particular value{{nbsp}}... impressive with fine performances."<ref name="auto27"/> Barry Monush writes it "emphasizes gritty action over characterization."<ref name="Monush, Barry"/>}} agree that it is a gritty, grim and realistic rendering of battle action.<ref name="auto61">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/pork-chop-hill/review/109436|title=Pork Chop Hill &#124; TV Guide|website=TV Guide}}</ref> Three critics who comment on Peck's performance are laudatory,{{efn|name=PorkChopHillPeck| ''TV Guide'' writes "Peck is outstanding as the resolute but compassionate commander."<ref name="auto61"/> Bosley Crowther wrote, "Gregory Peck is convincingly stalwart"<ref name="auto45"/>}} with ''Variety'' saying that Peck's performance is "completely believable. He comes through as a born leader, and yet it is quite clear that he has moments of doubt and of uncertainty."<ref name="auto24"/>

[[File:Peck On the Beach Publicity Photo.jpg|upright|left|thumb|Peck in a publicity still for ''[[On the Beach (1959 film)|On the Beach]]'' (1959)]]
Peck's second release of 1959 cast him opposite [[Deborah Kerr]] in ''[[Beloved Infidel]],'' which was based on the memoirs of film columnist [[Sheilah Graham]]. The film portrays the romance between Graham (Kerr) and author [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] (Peck) during the last three years of his life, towards the end of which Fitzgerald was often drunk and abusive.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/beloved-infidel-v84780|title=Beloved Infidel (1959) - Synopsis |website=Allmovie.com |last=Deming |first=Mark}}</ref> Crowther assessed it as "generally flat and uninteresting" with a "postured performance of Gregory Peck{{nbsp}}... his grim-faced, monotony as a washout is relieved in a couple of critical scenes by some staggering and bawling as a drunkard, but that is hardly enough."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/11/18/archives/screen-fitzgerald-on-the-way-down-beloved-infidel-opens-at-the.html|title=Screen: Fitzgerald on the Way Down; 'Beloved Infidel' Opens at the Paramount Gregory Peck, Deborah Kerr Head Cast|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|date=November 18, 1959|work=The New York Times}}</ref> ''Variety'' said that "the acting, while excellent and persuasive in parts, is shallow and artificial in others. Problem is primarily with Peck who brings to Fitzgerald the kind of clean-cut looks and youthful appearance that conflict with the image of a has-been novelist."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1958/film/reviews/beloved-infidel-1200419417/|title=Beloved Infidel|date=January 1, 1959|work=Variety}}</ref> Reviews from five prominent scribes in recent decades are similar, saying that Peck was blatantly miscast,{{efn|name=BelovedInfidelReviews|Leonard Maltin writes "Ill-conceived casting of Peck makes (the film) more ludicrous than real; lush photography is the only virtue of blunt look at cinema capital."<ref name="Maltin, Leonard 2005"/> Barry Monush said that Peck was "blatantly miscast".<ref name="Monush, Barry"/> Tony Sloman of ''Radio Times'' decrees it is "sunk by the staggering miscasting of Gregory Peck{{nbsp}}... the CinemaScope photography is stunning but to no avail."<ref>{{cite web |last=Sloman |first=Tony |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/film/cxg84/beloved-infidel-1959/ |title=Beloved Infidel – review &#124; cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online |work=Radio Times |access-date=May 10, 2020 |archive-date=August 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801072825/https://www.radiotimes.com/film/cxg84/beloved-infidel-1959/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Craig Butler of ''AllMovie'' says, "''Beloved Infidel'' is soapy, less than satisfying{{nbsp}}... it oversimplifies a relationship rather more complex than (what is shown){{nbsp}}... Gregory Peck gives a performance that is so far off the mark as to be embarrassing. Peck was an extremely talented actor, but there is nothing in his personality that matches the qualities associated with Fitzgerald. As a result, Peck is totally at sea{{nbsp}}... incapable of pulling off either of the big drunk scenes the role requires. By contrast, Deborah Kerr is in peak form{{nbsp}}... there's also some yummy photography{{nbsp}}... this is not enough to make up for the film's fatal flaws{{nbsp}}... but it does make the film watchable."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/beloved-infidel-v84780/review|title=Beloved Infidel (1959) - Review|website=Allmovie.com |last=Butler |first=Craig |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref> ''TV Guide'' says "Top production and stars give this one all they're worth but it could have been better{{nbsp}}... Peck is miscast (he is dark-haired and towers well over six feet, whereas Fitzgerald was 5'7" and fair-haired), but he plays the role nobly{{nbsp}}... It's a sad, almost wasted film which dwells not on Fitzgerald's courage and magnificent talent, but on his failure"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/beloved-infidel/review/105961|title=Beloved Infidel &#124; TV Guide|website=TV Guide}}</ref>}} ''TV Guide'' it was because of their physical differences, and Craig Butler saying "Peck was an extremely talented actor, but there is nothing in his personality that matches the qualities associated with Fitzgerald.<ref name="Thomson, David 1994 pg. 576"/>

Peck starred next in ''[[On the Beach (1959 film)|On the Beach]]'' (1959) alongside [[Ava Gardner]] in their third and final film together.<ref name="auto65">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17688/on-the-beach#articles-reviews|title=On the Beach (1959) - Articles - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> The film is considered to be Hollywood's first major movie about the implications of nuclear warfare. Directed by [[Stanley Kramer]] and based on [[Nevil Shute]]'s best-selling book, it shows the last months of several people in Melbourne, Australia as they await the onset of radioactive fallout from nuclear bombs.<ref name="auto56">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/12/18/archives/screen-on-the-beach.html|title=Screen: 'On the Beach'|first=Bosley|last=Crowther|date=December 18, 1959|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Peck portrays a U.S. submarine commander who has brought his crew to Australia from the North Pacific Ocean after nuclear bombs had been detonated in the northern hemisphere, who eventually romances Gardner's character.<ref name="auto56"/> The film was named in the top ten lists of the [[National Board of Review]] and the [[New York Film Critics Circle]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/17688/on-the-beach#notes|title=On the Beach (1959) - Misc Notes - TCM.com|website=Turner Classic Movies}}</ref> and was successful at the North American box office, finishing eighth for the year,<ref name="auto19"/> but due to its high production cost it lost $700,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebulletin.org/2015/08/the-continuing-relevance-of-on-the-beach/|title=The continuing relevance of "On the Beach"|date=August 3, 2015}}</ref> ''On the Beach'' was praised by critics.{{efn|name=OntheBeachPositive|''Variety'' evaluates it as "a solid film of considerable emotional, as well as cerebral, content" but adds "the fact remains that the final impact is as heavy as a leaden shroud{{nbsp}}... All the personal stories are well-presented. The cast is almost uniformly excellent. Peck and Gardner make a good romantic team."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1958/film/reviews/on-the-beach-1200419354/|title=On the Beach|date=January 1, 1959|work=Variety}}</ref> The ''Hollywood Reporter'' enthused the film was "brilliantly executed".<ref name="auto65"/>}}<ref name="Tookey, Christopher 1994"/><ref name="auto56"/>{{efn|name=OntheBeachRealism|Australian film writer Philip Davey says that at the time of release many critics "criticized the perceived 'unrealistic' sedate behavior of characters facing certain death{{nbsp}}... and, in some cases, the absence of a religious element."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2015.acmi.net.au/acmi-channel/2009/film-essay-on-the-beach/|title=When Hollywood Came To Melbourne &#124; ACMI|website=2015.acmi.net.au|access-date=November 5, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809135800/https://2015.acmi.net.au/acmi-channel/2009/film-essay-on-the-beach/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Hollywood Reporter'' enthused the film was "brilliantly executed," but is reported to have "wondered at length why none of the characters showed any interest in religion as the world ends."<ref name="auto65"/> Arthur Knight of ''Saturday Review'' observed "it is{{nbsp}}... difficult to believe that all [people] would remain as calm and self-possessed as the people have been here{{nbsp}}... There is no looting, no licentiousness, no desperate last-chance fling."<ref name="Tookey, Christopher 1994"/>}} In recent decades, critical opinion of ''On the Beach'' is mixed: some prominent critics asserting that the script is poor,{{efn|name=OntheBeachPoorScript|Christopher Tookey says "It is hard to see why this incredibly turgid, cliche-ridden, melodramatic film garnered the critical acclaim it did."<ref name="Tookey, Christopher 1994"/> ''Time Out'' says "Fine photography but the script is a typically numbing affair, and the cast, aside from Peck{{nbsp}}... seem totally out of their depth."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/on-the-beach|title=On the Beach|website=Time Out London|date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref>}} but some critics saying the acting, especially Peck, and cinematography are excellent, and that, overall, the film is powerful.{{efn|name=OntheBeachPowerful|''TV Guide'' says it is "Flawed but moving" and "Though it occasionally goes over the top with melodrama and lacks some technical credibility, (it) remains a powerful, well-acted, deftly photographed film."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/on-the-beach/review/108113|title=On The Beach &#124; TV Guide|website=TV Guide}}</ref> Leonard Maltin says "Thoughtful{{nbsp}}... with fine performances by all."<ref name="Maltin, Leonard 2005"/>}} Butler of ''AllMovie'' writes, "...{{nbsp}}problematic is the clichéd, almost soap-operatic relationship between Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner and the somewhat melodramatic handling of other sections of the film{{nbsp}}... The cast helps tremendously. Peck has rarely been more stalwart{{nbsp}}... Even decades after its release, Beach is a harrowing and devastating experience."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/on-the-beach-v36271/review |title=On the Beach (1959) - Review |first=Craig |last=Butler |website=Allmovie.com |access-date=July 29, 2021 }}</ref>