Crimson Tide

Starring: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini
Written by: Richard P. Henrick, Michael Schiffer
Director: Tony Scott
Year: 1995

Rating: * * * *   Stars       +       (Fan Bonus -  )  Total: * * * * 

Russian rebels have taken over an ICBM site and are threatening to launch. The U.S. Alabama, a nuclear submarine, is dispatched to launch it's nuclear weapons at the ICBM site. The only problem, the Alabama's crew, led by the new XO, stage a mutiny.

Denzel Washington plays Lt. Commander Hunter, a highly decorated, well educated officer who is summoned to be the new XO of the Alabama as it embarks to neutralize a threat made by Russian rebels to launch against the U.S.

Gene Hackman is the Alabama's Commander, Capt. Frank Ramsey. Ramsey is an older, experienced Captain, with prior combat experience, and well respected by the crew. 

As the submarine takes off, Capt. Ramsey feels out the new XO, asking his opinions on war and the current situation as well as observing his behavior. Hunter impresses Ramsey with his candor, sense of duty, and outlook. Hunter also builds a rapport with the crew, earning their respect.  

The film establishes naval protocol through scenes involving EAMs, standing for Emergency Action Message. Once this message is received it is authenticated and both Captain and XO announce the orders to the crew. They are given their target package and told to launch 10 missiles at the coordinates provided. As they continue on, tension mounts as the crew is uneasy knowing they are to launch nuclear weapons, even though it means saving innocent US cities from destruction. An encounter with a Russian sub only makes matters worse. They receive another EAM, but it is incomplete as the radio is damaged during it encounter. 

This is where it gets intriguing. Captain Ramsey intends to continue with the launch, where as Lt. Commander Hunter feels the priority is to restore communications and receive a completed message. This turns into an old school vs new school, as the experienced Captain acts in a contradictory manor to the XO's. The problem is both Captain and XO are acting in the best interest of the Navy, following procedures to the letter. The issue is how they're interpreted. Ramsey reminds Hunter that without an authenticated contradictory order, they are to follow through with the orders in hand. Plus, according to the last message, rebels are fueling the missiles and will attain launch capability shortly. Hunter reminds the Captain that the Navy uses redundancy and there would be another sub to carry out the order if they are compromised. He also points out that it may be an order to stand down, or the coordinates could have changed. Their differences boil over when Ramsey charges Hunter with mutiny at the same time Hunter relieves the Captain of command, siting Navy rules and regulations of which the Captain is violating.

With the boat now under Hunter's command, he instructs the communications room to make the radio a priority. Meanwhile, the Russian sub returns and they engage in combat. The Alabama wins but is damaged. Members of the crew, fearing this unknown XO, free Ramsey from his quarters to retake the ship.

Tony Scott directs this film in classic submarine movie style, using techniques that emphasize isolation and claustrophobia. This, combined with the stories plot, builds a sense of tension. Both Ramsey and Hunter are admirable characters, with Ramsey commanding more respect, and Hunter gaining trust, it's hard to say who's in the wrong here. Meanwhile, the crew takes sides with Ramsey's loyalists doing their best to put down the mutiny and resume the mission.

The supporting cast, including Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini, George Dzundza, put in fine performances as crewmen who are caught in the middle of this mess. 

Sadly, this dichotomy of right vs right is ruined by Scott's dumbing down the plot to the audience. During the pictures final climatic moment, the Director has Hackman turn Ramsey from respected war veteran to a racist, thus vilifying his character and forcing the audience to side with Hunter.  

Outside of that, this is a great popcorn film. Plenty of action, tension, and incredible acting making this a favorite among naval war based films.

SEE THE TRAILER: Crimson Tide