Where to watch Crimson Tide
4 Stars
When some Russian rebels take control of some ICBM’s, the Americans mobilize. Among the vessels sent is the nuclear sub, USS 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 precautions.
When discussing the best submarine movies, titles like “Das Boot,” “The Hunt for Red October,” and “Run Silent Run Deep” frequently come up. While these films are all solid, none have the power or entertainment value of Tony Scott’s “Crimson Tide.” This claustrophobic thriller centers on a battle of wills and protocols between two opposing characters, each firmly convinced of their logic. This dynamic forces the audience to question how they would react in a similar situation. The harrowing concept in “Crimson Tide” is compelling, making it an engaging thriller. Director Tony Scott has elevated the narrative with striking visuals and a strong sense of the submarine environment’s geography.
Gene Hackman was incredibly prolific during the 1990s, which meant performances didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. I believe his work alongside Denzel Washington, under the direction of Tony Scott, stands out as some of the finest acting you can find in any blockbuster film. It’s truly one of his best performances from that era. Crimson Tide is, arguably, Tony Scott’s masterpiece and a fine example of Hollywood Studio filmmaking done correctly
Directed by: Tony Scott
Written by: Michael Schiffer, Richard P. Henrick
Starring: Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, Matt Craven