Crimson Tide (1995)

On a US nuclear missile sub, a young first officer stages a mutiny to prevent his trigger happy captain from launching his missiles before confirming his orders to do so.

Director:

Tony Scott

Writers:

Michael Schiffer (story), Richard P. Henrick (story),

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Matt Craven

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Lt. Commander Ron Hunter
Gene Hackman	...	Capt. Frank Ramsey
Matt Craven	...	Lt. Roy Zimmer, USS Alabama Communications Officer
George Dzundza	...	Chief of the Boat
Viggo Mortensen	...	Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince
James Gandolfini	...	Lt. Bobby Dougherty
Rocky Carroll	...	Lt. Darik Westergaurd
Jaime Gomez	...	Officer of the Deck Mahoney (as Jaime P. Gomez)
Michael Milhoan	...	Chief of the Watch Hunsicker
Scott Burkholder	...	T.S.O. Billy Linkletter
Danny Nucci	...	Petty Officer First Class Danny Rivetti
Lillo Brancato	...	Petty Officer Third Class Russell Vossler (as Lillo Brancato Jr.)
Eric Bruskotter	...	Bennefield
Ricky Schroder	...	Lt. Paul Hellerman (as Rick Schroder)
Steve Zahn	...	William Barnes

Storyline

When some Russian rebels takes control of some ICBM's, the Americans mobilize. Among the vessels sent is the nuclear sub, the Alabama. But before they leave they need a new X.O. and among the choices is Commander Hunter, who hasn't seen much action. But the ship's Captain, Ramsey OK's him. While on the way, there was an incident and Hunter disagreed with how Ramsey handled it, it's evident that Ramsey doesn't think much of Hunter because Hunter was college educated while Ramsey worked his way up. They're given orders to attack but when they were in the process of receiving another order, the ship's communications were damaged, so the entire message was not received. Ramsey decides to continue with their previous order while Hunter wants to reestablish contact first. That's when the two men butt heads that ends with Hunter relieving Ramsey. Later when some men die, some of the officers feel that Hunter is not up to the task so they team up to retake control. But Hunter has taken ...

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Plot Keywords:

order | submarine | alabama | mutiny | navy | 

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Taglines:

Danger runs deep

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 May 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Marea roja

Filming Locations:

Chapman University - One University Drive, Orange, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,902,929 (UK) (17 November 1995)

Gross:

£5,023,381 (UK) (15 December 1995)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 123 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene in which the USS Alabama is diving for the first time out of dock, the footage is of the real submarine submerging. Director Tony Scott was following along in a helicopter attaining shots of the ship, herself. When the captain of the Alabama requested that the helicopter cease filming, they submerged, which is what director Tony Scott was hoping for anyway.

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Goofs

As Captain Ramsey is addressing the crew before the patrol, he refers to the Chief of the Boat as "Mr. COB". In real life the COB would not be referred to as "Mr." That title is for Commissioned or Warrant officers only.

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Quotes

Peter "Weps" Ince: Okay. What's going on?
Zimmer: We're not going to let this go down with the X-O and Helm.
Peter "Weps" Ince: We're not?
Zimmer: No. We're not?
Lt. Bobby Dougherty: We've been following the captain for years, and now this asshole Hunter shows up, and we're supposed to follow him because he said so?
Peter "Weps" Ince: You're not supposed to, you were ordered to. That's what this is about, proper orders.
Lt. Bobby Dougherty: Proper Orders? He has proper orders, he won't act on them
Peter "Weps" Ince: He's in command now! If they order him to launch, we'll launch, and we'll blow 'em all to hell. But, I rather ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in SubZero (1998)

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Soundtracks

"NOWHERE TO RUN"
Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland (as Edward Holland Jr.)
Performed by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Courtesy of Motown Records Company, L.P.
by arrangement with PolyGram Special Markets

User Reviews

Intense!

I love this film for it's intensity,particularly the intense relationship of the characters portrayed by Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington.They are two men at odds in the worst of situations;the possibility of war.It all involves an incomplete transmission.It could mean war,it could mean nothing at all.What do you do?You could strike your enemy before he strikes you,but would the strike be uncalled for? It's the not knowing that creates the intensity.Hackman and Washington are excellent actors,which goes without saying since they are both Oscar winners,and they play off of each other extremely well in this film. This fact alone makes it a must see,but the film's content is equally as impressive.