Beach: A River Of Sand (1965)

The film Beach: A River of Sand explores the natural processes that shape and move sand along coastlines, portraying the beach as a dynamic, flowing system akin to a river. Sand originates from the erosion of rocks in the mountains and is carried to the coast by streams. Once at the beach, wave energy—especially from waves approaching at an angle—drives the sand both back and forth and alongshore through a process called longshore transport. Seasonal wave patterns cause sand to shift between the beach face and offshore bars, while longshore currents move sand down the coast. Man-made structures like breakwaters and dams disrupt this flow, causing buildup or erosion in unexpected places. The film uses models, time-lapse footage, and real-life examples (like Santa Barbara and Santa Monica) to illustrate how human interference in this delicate system requires ongoing maintenance—such as dredging—to prevent harbors from clogging or beaches from disappearing altogether. Ultimately, it emphasizes that when nature’s balance is disrupted, humans must step in to replicate the work nature once handled.

LIMITED DISTRIBUTION.