Crimson Tide

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Crimson Tide

R

Released May 12, 1995

1h 55m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

55 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

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Critics Consensus

Boasting taut, high energy thrills and some cracking dialogue courtesy of an uncredited Quentin Tarantino, Crimson Tide finds director Tony Scott near the top of his action game.

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Duane Byrge

The Hollywood Reporter

Simpson/Bruckheimer have plunged to the ocean's depths to reach the heights of commercial, big-movie filmmaking.

May 12, 2020

Full Review

Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Crimson Tide is a whale of a movie, an intense and a heartstopping adventure played out against the unnerving threat of nuclear annihilation.

Feb 19, 2020

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

While this first (and still best) collaboration between Denzel Washington and late filmmaker Tony Scott remains a classic 1990s blockbuster, the tentative nature of the transformative path Washington’s character takes within it is often overlooked.

Rated: 4.5/5

Dec 30, 2024

Full Review

Adrian Turner

Radio Times

This is riveting stuff, an achievement that is even more remarkable in view of the movie's restricted setting - a submarine's claustrophobic confines.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 2, 2024

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the picture’s compulsively watchable atmosphere is heightened by its emphasis on the fascinating nitty-gritty of submarine life and its surfeit of magnetic, charismatic performances...

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 19, 2023

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Audience Member

An intense adrenaline induced drama that features fantastic performances and a standoff for the ages!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/01/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, o filme tem cenas de drama bacaninhas, mas não foi o suficiente para ser bom, o elenco é bom e poucos ajudam a melhorar o filme, e a história é fraca, e faltou várias cenas para o filme ser relevante e bom.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Crimson Tide is a high adraneline rush from start to finish with powerful performances from Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. The movie takes place mostly on board a U.S. nuclear submarine where the brink of Nuclear war is imminent. When I say this is a masterclass of acting between Gene and Denzel believe me. You don’t want to miss this one. Late great Director Tony Scott who usually does quick cut aways in his films is very patient here with leaving the camera rolling on his actors. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through in this movie. You don’t want to miss this one. Crimson Tide gets a high 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

Stephen M

Two great actors absolutely nail the rivalry between two highly respected men. An absolute classic with a great backstory and more than enough thrilling moments.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

TK Y

Watched this again after Gene Hackman's passing. Great casting and surprisingly great script which isn't something one recalls Bruckheimer-Simpson films for. Denzel is in one of his best roles as Hackman's new 2nd in command. Apart from one melodramatic showdown, the movie holds up well. It's a visual tour-de-force from Director Tony Scott. No wasted moments here.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/25

Full Review

Christian K

I feel like the studios and film universe would collapse on itself if something like this tried to get made now. Great acting and direction all around.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/07/25

Full Review

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Tony Scott

Director

Denzel Washington

Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter, XO, USS Alabama

Gene Hackman

Capt. Frank Ramsey

George Dzundza

Chief of the boat (COB)

Viggo Mortensen

Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince

James Gandolfini

Lt. Bobby Dougherty, Supply Officer, USS Alabama

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Synopsis

After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

Director: Tony Scott
Producer: Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer
Screenwriter: Richard P. Henrick, Michael Schiffer
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc., Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Hollywood Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.4M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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