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Crimson Tide

Play trailer Poster for Crimson Tide R Released May 12, 1995 1h 55m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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Crimson Tide

Crimson Tide

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ephraim I Very exciting movie, lots of suspense and drama, Denzel and gene Hackman was absolutely fantastic. A must see movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/24 Full Review Rosana B "No mundo nuclear o verdadeiro inimigo é a própria guerra" definição perfeita de quase toda guerra… Bom filme de ação e suspense submarino num período de turbulência política na Rússia, em que ultranacionalistas ameaçam lançar mísseis nucleares nos EUA e no Japão, paralela a um incidente real durante a Crise dos Mísseis de Cuba, e as divergências de ideai e os embates humanos, bem como as tomadas de decisão moralmente polêmicas que contrabalançam as cenas de ação. Denzel maravilhoso. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/29/24 Full Review Nol P Sometimes you just forget how good a movie really is until you finally watch it again! I really do not need to say a lot other than yes it is very worthy must watch!, with an incredible supporting cast. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/27/24 Full Review Orchid G watching this in 2024 is like on the edge of the seat everytime Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/21/24 Full Review Matt W Probably the 2nd best submarine movie after Hunt for Red October. Amazing cast, direction, score. Super intense. So much rewatchability, even when you know the ending. The writing, which was touched up by Tarantino, is on point. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/20/24 Full Review Wayne K One of the many Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer collaborations that helped make the 90s such an incredible decade for movies, Crimson Tide is an action film with brains to match the brawn. Somewhat based on a real life incident, the story follows a nuclear submarine that gets caught up in a difficult situation, and a divided crew that each believe themselves to be taking the right course of action, a judgement that’s left up to the viewers to decide. What’s so compelling about the story is the power dynamic between the leads, played brilliantly by Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. They’re 2 professionals, one more academic and introspective and the other more hardnosed and experienced. The scenario that plays out tests both of them in different ways, and the film is smart enough to never paint them as entirely right or wrong, its just how they approach the situation and their ability, or inability, to see the big picture. Much like the subaquatic masterpiece Das Boot, the film makes great use of the inherent claustrophobia that comes with being on a crowded submarine, with narrow corridors, low ceiling and something to bang your head on round every corner. The camerawork and directing, with lots of long shots and Dutch angles, constantly keeps you uncomfortable, as do the close ups of sweaty, panic-stricken faces. It’s a perfect example of a slow escalation of tension, a raising of stakes and a ticking clock that the film constantly reminds you of. We get to know our characters through the simplest of exchanges, and in smart little moments that are woven throughout the narrative, such as Ramsey’s liking of classical music, or Hunter’s discussion of comic book characters. There’s never a wasted moment, and whichever team you end up agreeing with, you’ll come out the other side feeling like you just watched one Hell of a film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Crimson Tide

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Movie Info

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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