Crimson Tide (1995) * * * 1/2

Directed by:  Tony Scott

Starring:  Gene Hackman, Denzel Washington, James Gandolfini, Viggo Mortensen, Lillo Brancato, Jr., George Dzundza, Jason Robards, Matt Craven, Danny Nucci

Crimson Tide is a story of clashing ideals and old school vs. new school which permeates even the vast military-industrial complex.   Capt. Ramsey (Hackman) is in charge of the Alabama, a nuclear submarine bound for Russia on the eve of potential nuclear war with Russian rebels looking to start World War III.  His new executive officer Lt. Commander Hunter (Washington) joins the mission with an impeccable reputation and a lack of battle experience which concerns the outwardly polite and welcoming Ramsey.  

An undercurrent of tension infuses the opening moments of Crimson Tide and rarely defuses it.   The threat of war lingers over everything.   Ramsey and Hunter approach their jobs differently, which is evident when Ramsey decides to hold a launch drill while Hunter is helping to battle a galley fire which could endanger the sub.   Hunter expresses his disagreement with his captain for choosing to hold a drill during the emergency, but Ramsey explains that the Russians don't care if an American sub is battling a fire when it decides to launch missiles at the United States.   Another telling scene is when Ramsey and Hunter are sharing a meal with the other officers and their philosophies become crystal clear.   Ramsey was trained in a different Navy than Hunter.   "I was trained in the when and how, you were trained to ask why," says Ramsey.   He is correct and his disdain for the "new Navy" is palpable.

Neither Ramsey or Hunter is a villain, but at a crucial moment, their idealogies come full circle when, during a torpedo attack, the sub's communications system is compromised and an incomplete order comes through from the Pentagon.   Since moments before, a complete order to ready to launch the sub's missiles is authenticated, Ramsey assumes those to be the standing orders.   Hunter wants to authenticate the orders first, thinking they may contradict the initial orders.   Ramsey and Hunter vehemently argue, causing Hunter to seize control of the captaincy from Ramsey under Navy regulations.   Is it as easy to overthrow a captain as Crimson Tide makes it out to be?   I don't know, but it effectively sets up the crew taking sides with Ramsey or Hunter later.

As one character bluntly explains, "You are both right and you are both wrong,"   Such a sentiment underlines each disagreement Ramsey and Hunter have.   Hackman and Washington, of course, are superb, but Crimson Tide also foments excellent supporting work from Mortensen, Craven, and Dzundza, all of whom have their own opinions as to who is correct in this argument.   Because of the looming threat of nuclear holocaust, Crimson Tide becomes a movie that is relentless, tense, and efficient as the crew and officers try and determine where they stand and why their stance may either start a war or prevent it.