I Watch Films: Crimson Tide

 

Crimson Tide

A news reporter on a French aircraft carrier helpfully fills us in on the backstory; a Russian revanchist leader has seized control of a nuclear missile base in Far East Russia. He threatens to launch them – possibly at the US or US Asian allies – if he’s attacked. The USS Alabama, an American nuclear missile submarine is ordered to sea, under hard-bitten veteran Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) (and his dog). His executive officer (second in command) unavailable, he chooses Commander Hunter (Denzel Washington), who comes highly recommended.

The two have different styles, Ramsey hard as nails, Hunter having been put through strategy and politics schools (presumably being prepared for staff or higher command positions).

Ramsey: Rickover gave me my command, a checklist, a target and a button to push. All I gotta know is how to push it, they tell me when. They seem to want you to know why.

Hunter: I would hope they'd want us all to know why, sir.

When a galley fire breaks out (which leads to the death of a crew member) Ramsey orders a missile drill, which Hunter questions the timing of. Ramsey shuts him down.

Things get worse in Russia. They don’t get much better at sea as they’re warned that there’s a revanchist aligned Russian submarine in the area. Then they get an emergency action message that isn’t a drill; they’re fueling the Russian missiles which gives them one hour before they can launch. As they set guidance and prepare, another message comes in just as the Russian submarine attacks. The message is cut off.

Ramsey wants to follow the launch order, but Hunter wants to get confirmation of the next message. They disagree and as they can’t launch without Hunter’s approval, the Captain tries to have him arrested. Hunter is technically correct so when he orders Ramsey relieved of command the Chief Of The Boat does.

Hunter is a newcomer so not everyone agrees with this. Hunter is immediately distracted by the Russian submarine and has to fight it off; in the attack the radio is damaged. With only one hour, he’s got to make a decision, before Ramsey takes that decision away from him.

A classic tense submarine film. There’s some pop culture nonsense going on – two sailors get into a fight over the Silver Surfer, Hunter references Star Trek, and two officers are discussing submarine films while waiting to go out to the Alabama – trying to remember the stars of The Enemy Below.

Watch This: Exciting submarine thriller
Don’t Watch This: A lot of men argue about whether to nuke people