CRIMSON TIDE (1995)

MORGAN'S GRADE

A   B   C   D   F

In the near future, Russian rebels have taken over one of the ICBM bases in the USSR. Alarmed by the prospect of a rebel strike, the U.S. sends the U.S.S. Alabama, a nuclear ballistic submarine, to watch over the base and retaliate in case they launch. While on patrol, the submarine is attacked and the radio systems are knocked out. An emergency message recieved during the battle is only partially recovered. Captain Ramsey believes it to be the order to launch on the rebels, while XO Hunter wants to wait for a confirmation message. The conflict escalates into mutiny as Ramsey and Hunter fight for control of Alabama's nuclear missiles.

Denzel Washington (Ron Hunter), Gene Hackman (Capt. Frank Ramsey), Matt Craven (Lt. Roy Zimmer), George Dzundza (Chief of the Boat), Viggo Mortensen (Weapons Officer Lt. Peter Ince), James Gandolfini (Lt. Bobby Dougherty), Rocky Carroll (Lt. Darik Westergard), Jaime Gomez (Ood Mahoney), Michael Milhoan (Hunsicker), Scott Burkholder (TSO Billy Link- letter), Danny Nucci (Danny Rivetti), Lillo Brancato (Russell Vossler), Eric Bruskotter (Bennefield), Rick Schroder (Lt. Paul Hellerman), Steve Zahn (William Barnes), Marcello Thedford (Lawson), R.J Knoll (Marty Sotille), Billy Devlin (Navigator), Matthew Barry (Planesman), Daniel von Bargen (Vladimir Radchenko), Ryan Phillippe (Seaman Grattam), Henry Mortensen (Henry Ince), Chris Ellis (Addional Magician), Gerald Emerick (uncredited), Jason Robards (Admiral, uncredited).

IN THE FACE OF THE ULTIMATE NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN, ONE MAN HAS ABSOLUTE POWER AND ONE WILL DO ANYTHING TO STOP HIM.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Tony Scott (Enemy of the State).

WRITERS: Michael Schiffer, Richard P. Henrick and Quentin Tarantino (uncredited).

PRODUCERS: Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson.

FACTS

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: James W. Skotchdopole.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Lucas Foster, Mike Moder and Bill Unger.

RELEASE DATE: May 12th, 1995 (USA)

BOX OFFICE OPENING: $18.6 million (USA)

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Hans Zimmer.

BOX OFFICE RESULT: $91.3 million (USA)

DISTRIBUTOR: Hollywood Pictures.

WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $157.4 million

BUDGET: $53 million (USA)

QUOTES

- Captain Skip Beard, listed as a Technical Advisor, served as the Commanding Officer on the real USS Alabama (SSBN 731). He can seen in the Board of Inquiry scene. He is the man with no hair sitting next to Jason Robards.

[To his wife, before leaving for duty] Hunter: See you in my dreams.

Ramsey: How do you like that cigar? Hunter: It's good, sir. Ramsey: It's your first? Hunter: (coughing) Yeah. Ramsey: Well, don't like it too much. They're more expensive than drugs.

- Al Pacino was originally offered the role played by Gene Hackman.

- The name of the submarine is the "Alabama." The University of Alabama's football team is called the "Crimson Tide,", once led by famous coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. In the film, "Bear" is the name of the Alabama's captain's dog.

Capt. Ramsey: Horses are fascinating animals. Dumb as fenceposts but very intuitive. In that way they're not too different from high school girls: they may not have a brian in their head but they do know all the boys want to fuck 'em.

- Quentin Tarantino was brought in to do uncredited "punch-ups" of the dialogue. His major contribution was the comic book bickering. The character name "Russell Vossler" is a reference to Rand Vossler, with whom Tarantino used to work at a video store.

Capt. Ramsey: I expect and demand your very best. Anything less, you should have joined the Air Force.

Hunter: You have to set an example even in the face of stupidity. Now everyone who reads comic books knows that the Kirby Silver Surfer is the only TRUE Silver Sufer, now am I right or wrong?

- Robert Towne and Steven Zaillian also contributed key scenes. Towne wrote the "Von Clausewicz" scene, havin to do with the essential nature of war.

- Nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Film Editing and Best Sound.

Captain Ramsey: Mister Hunter, I've made a decision. I'm captain of this ship, now shut the fuck up!

Captain Ramsey (smoking a cigar) I don't trust air I can't see.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

Captain Ramsey: All I ask is that you keep up with me. If you can't then that strange sensation you'll be feeling in the seat of your pants will be my boot in your ass!

"Macho power-play saga...Obvious, to be sure, with a foregone conclusion blunting some of the suspense, but highly entertaining just the same." -- Leonard Maltin

Hunter: In my humble opinion, in the nuclear world, the true enemy is war itself.

Capt. Ramsey: We're here to preserve democracy, not practice it.

"Oddly enough, Crimson Tide develops into an actors' picture, not just an action movie. There are a lot of special effects, high-tech gadgets and violent standoffs, yes, but the movie is really a battle between two wills." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

Capt. Ramsey: God help you if you're wrong. Hunter: If I'm wrong, then we're at war; God help us all.

"Crimson Tide is pop-action naval gazing at its finest." -- Susan Wlosczya, USA Today