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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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Audience Member Really good movie. Hackman and Denzel are great. You can see why these two are seen as two of the best to do it. I love the submarine war in this. Super tense even at a slower speed. Tony Scott simply knows how to make quality movies. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/21/25 Full Review Andrew P. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington at their best. The suspense, the action, the drama. This movie is often overlooked, but there’s no way you will not enjoy this movie if you stop and watch it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Calvin T That was top notch....glad I watched it Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Alex R Tense action thriller. Great cast Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 55 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $91,400,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/01/25 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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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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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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