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Hackman andWashington are well-matched, and although my sympathies were with theWashington character (faced with the prospect of a billion deaths, it is bestto err on the side of caution), I could understand the logic of the seniorofficer.

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There are a lot of special effects, high-tech gadgets and violentstandoffs, yes, but the movie is really a battle between two wills. Is the captain guiltyof a procedural violation, or is his second in command guilty of mutiny? Oddlyenough, 'Crimson Tide' develops into an actors' picture, not just anaction movie. Instead, the movie developsalong ideological lines, as Ramsey and Hunter - both absolutely convincedthey're right - attempt to gain control of the submarine. Director TonyScott (' Top Gun') handles these scenes with skill, and yet they'renot at the heart of Michael Schiffer's screenplay. Themovie has the usual trappings of submarine adventure pictures: emergencyflooding, near-hits, the danger of sinking below a safe depth. That's the basic set-up in'Crimson Tide,' an uncommonly intelligent dramatization about thechoices, dangers and duties of nuclear warfare. Should thecaptain seize the initiative and order a launch? He can do that only if hissecond-in-command agrees, and Hunter doesn't. The sub, cut off from its chain ofcommand, may be the only deterrent to a Russian nuclear attack. Nowdeep silence reigns beneath the ocean. Meanwhile,in an exchange of missiles with an enemy sub, the Alabama's radio apparatus istemporarily disabled, but not before a confirmed message has been received thatorders the sub to ready its missiles for firing. Its job, if it receives a verified command message, will be to fire itsnuclear missiles at the land-based targets in a preemptive strike.

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Russian rebel troops haveseized control of nuclear missile silos, and the Alabama is placed on full waralert.

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Ramsey says he saw the fire as an opportunity to testthe ability of his men to function under chaotic conditions.Īnd,he adds, while the junior officer is free to disagree, he should never do so infront of the enlisted men: 'We're here to preserve democracy, not topractice it.' A coded message is received. Ramsey tests the younger man,and when a fire breaks out in thesubmarine's galley, the captain chooses that moment to order an onboard drill.Hunter questions the decision, saying he would have attended to the fire first,before calling a drill.

The sub sets out to sea, and during adiscussion around the dinner table, Hunter makes the mistake of telling Ramsey,'In my humble opinion, in the nuclear world the true enemy is waritself.' These words will haunt him. In an early interview with Ramsey, the old-timer strikes avaguely sinister note Hackman is a master at seeming genial and friendly whilemasking deeper, darker thoughts. Ramsey, known for chewing up subordinates, is also famous for hislittle dog, a Jack Russell terrier that is allowed to lift its little legwherever it pleases.Īsthe movie opens, the Alabama gets a new second in command: Lt. HymanRickover, father of the nuclear submarine, and is now nearing the end of hisactive duty. Ramsey ( Gene Hackman), who trained under the legendary Adm. Thetradition includes a strong commander, and the Alabama possesses a legend:Capt.