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Down Periscope

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Down Periscope

PG-13

1996

1h 32m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

35 Reviews

63%

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25,000+ Ratings

Cmdr. Tom Dodge (Kelsey Grammer) is not thought of very highly among his fellow Navy officers. So when he's offered the captain's seat on a decrepit boat that is part of a simulated challenge on the water, no one expects much from him. Set on getting his underdog crew in line in order to win the event, Dodge must face off against his nemesis, Adm. Yancy Graham (Bruce Dern) -- who will do anything to see Dodge disgraced and finally kicked out of the Navy.

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Critics Consensus

Down Periscope takes audiences on an aimless voyage for aquatic hijinks, proving there really aren't any effective sub-stitutes for a well-written script.

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Bob McCabe

Empire Magazine

Kelsey Grammar's transition to the big screen is far from seamless.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 4, 2009

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Leonard Klady

Variety

It's good-natured, innocuous frivolity that should raise a few smiles and generate good but not great spring box office.

Nov 21, 2008

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Time Out

he construction is so ramshackle (or the mood so PC) that the film-makers put a woman (Holly) on board, then can't find a thing to do with her.

Jan 26, 2006

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a sluggish comedy that slowly-but-surely squanders its raft of appealing, seemingly foolproof elements...

Rated: 2/4

Oct 13, 2021

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Sarah Cartland

Caution Spoilers

Far from feminist, though I enjoyed seeing so many men doing the cleaning. There are fun moments and Kelsey Grammer as the hapless new sub captain is rather good if not hapless enough. Bruce Dern and Rip Torn spar enjoyably, but it lacks actual jokes.

Rated: 2/5

Nov 9, 2018

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Brian Costello

Common Sense Media

Some innuendo, profanity in mediocre slapstick comedy.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 9, 2014

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Rotten M

Critics sank Down Periscope before it ever had a chance to surface, but let’s be honest—they missed the point. This isn’t high art, it’s low-stakes comedy done right. Kelsey Grammer leads a ragtag crew with perfect deadpan delivery, and the laughs hit like sonar pings. Not every film needs to be profound to be rewatchable—and this one’s a cult classic in disguise. Critics may not salute it, but fans know: Down Periscope is full-steam fun.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/25

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Jack B

If you've spent 27 years in the Navy it is a much better movie than if you have no military experience. My wife spent years at ComSubFlt and she thought it was great.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/26/25

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Erica Y

I think the negative reviews on this movie are from people who have lost the joy in life. Down Periscope is my favorite movie of all time. Period. The fart in a submarine scene makes me laugh until I cry Every. Single. Time. It’s lighthearted, it’s hysterically funny, and it’s meant to be an escape from your problems in life. Don’t take this movie too seriously, IT sure doesn’t, so why should you? It’s just sheer fun and it ALWAYS makes me laugh. And that’s why it’s my favorite movie of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/16/25

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Jaelyn P

Was forced to watch by someone who I thought was my friend... she ended up having horrible bo problems later and yk what, she WOULD be the person to like this movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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danny s

Of course the critics didnt like it because it is actually a funny movie. There are so many funny one-liners in this movie. The other great thing, its run time is only 90 minutes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

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Ben B

Lighthearted, goofy, surprisingly well casted. Just a joy to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

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David S. Ward

Director

Kelsey Grammer

Lt. Cmdr. Thomas "Tom" Dodge

Lauren Holly

Lt. Emily Lake, Diving Officer

Bruce Dern

RAdm. Yancy Graham

Rob Schneider

Executive Officer Martin T. "Marty" Pascal

Rip Torn

Vice Adm. Dean Winslow

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Synopsis

Cmdr. Tom Dodge (Kelsey Grammer) is not thought of very highly among his fellow Navy officers. So when he's offered the captain's seat on a decrepit boat that is part of a simulated challenge on the water, no one expects much from him. Set on getting his underdog crew in line in order to win the event, Dodge must face off against his nemesis, Adm. Yancy Graham (Bruce Dern) -- who will do anything to see Dodge disgraced and finally kicked out of the Navy.

Director: David S. Ward
Producer: Robert Lawrence
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.3M
Runtime: 1h 32m
Sound Mix: Surround

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