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Crimson Tide

R Released May 12, 1995 1h 55m Mystery & Thriller Drama List
89% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 83% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less
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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 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 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 Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Neither Scott nor Schiffer seem worried about the deeper details of the crisis or the geopolitics at its center. That’s a good thing as it keeps the narrative tighter and more focused. Rated: 4/5 Aug 19, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joseph C One of the best submarine movies ever made. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Blu B The performances are excellent across the board with some really good dialouge throughout. The cinematography can be a bit on the style side but there is tons of substance as well. A very tight script that balances thrills with brains very well. There really isn't much else to say. Also really liked the neon/blue/red colors at times as well. It gives it a surreal feel for a crazy high stakes thriller. All Time Classic. Everyone should give it a try. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/08/24 Full Review Alec C In a time of paranoia and fear, our greatest enemy is ourselves! When a submarine receives a transcription concerning a potential nuclear strike, the captain and lieutenant clash over what the right decision would be: remain on stand-by or attack and risk nuclear war, which spurs the lieutenant to perform a mutiny as a desperate last resort. With tensions building to a fever pitch, this underwater thriller manages to leave us breathless as a potential nuclear holocaust looms on the horizon! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/08/24 Full Review Sebastian L For some reason Crimson Tide has flown under my radar all these years. One slightly boring evening I picked it on random and was pleasantly surprised by the quality on display here. The level of suspense, drama and commitment from everybody involved is a bit rare to find in the genre, especially when the premise isn't the most original. Hackman and Washington bring a lot of credibility, but there are others in the cast that shine just as bright. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 12/12/23 Full Review Alec B The scenario that puts the plot in motion and the plot itself might be a little too ridiculous but I can't argue with how well tension is mined from the ever changing mutinies, counter mutinies, and counter-counter mutinies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/10/23 Full Review Jan K An action packed submarine movie, that is American beyond doubt, with the in-your-face-type muscle-pumping patriotism to match. That's fine for the enjoyable action-movie it is, though it takes away a lot of the realism and depth that other warmovies offer. This lack of contemplation and immersion is made up by the the excellent characters and screenplay by Washington and Hackman. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Crimson Tide

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Cast & Crew

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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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