Below (2002)

Strange happenings occur on a WW II submarine.

Director:

David Twohy

Writers:

Lucas Sussman, Darren Aronofsky

Stars:

Bruce Greenwood, David Crow, Matthew Davis

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Davis	...	Odell (as Matt Davis)
Bruce Greenwood	...	Brice
Holt McCallany	...	Loomis
Dexter Fletcher	...	Kingsley
Nick Chinlund	...	Chief
Olivia Williams	...	Claire
Scott Foley	...	Coors
Andrew Howard	...	Hoag
Christopher Fairbank	...	Pappy
Chuck Ellsworth	...	Navy Pilot
Crispin Layfield	...	Navy Lookout
Jonathan Hartman	...	Schillings
Sebastian Knapp	...	Sonar #1
Max Casali	...	Air Manifold
Alexis Conran	...	Helmsman

Storyline

In the dark silence of the sea during World War II, the submarine U.S.S. Tiger Shark prowls on what should be a routine rescue mission. But for the shell-shocked crew, trapped together in the sub's narrow corridors and constricted spaces, this is about to become a journey into the sensory delusions, mental deceptions and runaway fear that lurk just below the surface of the ocean and deep inside the human psyche.

---

Plot Keywords:

submarine | mirror | shipwreck | mirror does not reflect reality | war crime | 

---

Taglines:

Six hundred feet beneath the surface terror runs deep

---

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Proteus

Filming Locations:

Lake Michigan, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$201,431, 13 October 2002, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$605,562

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,622,015

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dimension Films,Protozoa Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Darren Aronofsky, who co-wrote the screenplay, was originally going to direct the film in 1999 but instead made Requiem for a Dream (2000).

---

Goofs

US fleet subs of that era were incredibly cramped and would not have contained as much leg and head room as the one depicted in the movie. The submarine set used for interior shots is built on a larger scale to accommodate both actors and the shooting crew.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Brice: [hands coordinates to Loomis]
Lt. Loomis: This is almost a day behind us, sir.
Lt. Loomis: Well who are they? Americans, Brits, Italians? It doesn't even say.
Brice: Well I think we can assume they're friendly, Mr. Loomis. Besides, it doesn't appear to be a suggestion, does it.

---

Crazy Credits

The only thing in the opening credits is the movie's title. Everything else is only shown after the movie is over.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Noah Movie Deception (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing)
Written by Louis Prima
Performed by Benny Goodman

User Reviews

Surprisingly suspenseful and atmospheric supernatural WW2 thriller.

I enjoyed 'Below' a LOT more than I anticipated. It's a very similar movie in theme to the disappointing 'The Bunker', apart from the obvious difference of being set on a submarine of course. But unlike 'The Bunker' this movie has interesting characters that a)you can tell apart, and b) actually care about their fate. The script, direction and acting are all superior, and it's very effective in conveying the tense atmosphere of a sub in WW2, despite not being made on a mega-budget. I like David Twohy's debut 'Pitch Black', and I like 'Below' even more. It's not only a very well made suspense movie, but also a good war one. I hope Twohy fulfills his promise in projects to come.