Crimson Tide (1995)

On a U.S. 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:

Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Matt Craven

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

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Denzel Washington	...	Hunter
Gene Hackman	...	Ramsey
Matt Craven	...	Zimmer
George Dzundza	...	Cob
Viggo Mortensen	...	Weps
James Gandolfini	...	Lt. Bobby Dougherty
Rocky Carroll	...	Lt. Westergaurd
Jaime Gomez	...	Ood Mahoney (as Jaime P. Gomez)
Michael Milhoan	...	Hunsicker
Scott Burkholder	...	TSO Billy Linkletter
Danny Nucci	...	Danny Rivetti
Lillo Brancato	...	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:

submarine | u.s. navy | 1990s | submarine captain | naval base | 

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Taglines:

Danger runs deep

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller | War

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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:

Burbank City Hall - 275 E. Olive Ave, Burbank, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,612,190, 14 May 1995, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$91,400,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$66,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 123 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The cigars that Captain Frank Ramsey and Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter smoke at the beginning of their mission are made by Montecristo. The brand is made in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, by two different companies. But Ramsey's "more expensive than drugs" comment implies that theirs were the Cuban-made variety. Ramsey's cigar of choice throughout the movie is the classic tapered Montecristo #2.

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Goofs

In several shots on the bridge of the Alabama, the various coiled cables are not hanging straight down. The camera was tilted to increase the Alabama's apparent angle of dive beyond the actual angle of the set.

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Quotes

Capt. Ramsey: I have the con.
[to hunter]
Capt. Ramsey: Gimme the missile key.
[Hunter does nothing and Ramsey punches Hunter in the face]
Capt. Ramsey: [sternly] Gimme the missile key Mr. Hunter.
[Hunter takes the keys out and puts it around his neck and Ramsey punches Hunter in the face again]
Capt. Ramsey: [shouting] I am the commander of this fuckin' ship! Gimme the goddamn key!

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Alternate Versions

The English language version includes a scene where Lt. Cmdr. Hunter (Denzel Washington) breaks up a fight between two sailors. One of the two men tells Hunter that they were arguing over which version of the character Silver Surfer was best, the one drawn by Jack Kirby or the one by Moebius. In the Italian version the comic book character over which the two men are fighting have been changed to Betty Boop and Felix the Cat.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Crimson Tide/A Little Princess/The Perez Family/The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill/Swimming with Sharks (1995)

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Soundtracks

DANCING IN THE STREET
Written by Ivy Jo Hunter, William Stevenson, Marvin Gaye
Performed by Martha & The Vandellas (as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas)
Courtesy of Motown Records Company, L.P.
by arrangement with PolyGram Special Markets

User Reviews

Tension and suspense achieved

This is the type of movie Tony Scott should have stuck to creating. While most Jerry Bruckheimer films prove to be bad, modern interpretations of old school martial arts movies, this was one of the better films Bruckheimer ever produced. While the story was completely plot-driven and the performances a little over the top, the rivalry between Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman made this film a cut above the rest of the trash Bruckheimer tends to produce. While simple and direct, it proves to be effective in the annals of storytelling, never overindulging the viewer.