Two of our heavyweight actors play opposites in this wonderful suspense film. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington are give some orders in their submarine. The problem is that the orders are not clear and three is impulse versus caution. Gene Hackman is the wizened veteran who has quite an ego. The stakes are high and Denzel Washington needs to follow the restraints he has had embedded in him. There are great scenes of conflict and tension. This is no ordinary decision and the implications of what is done are incredibly significant. Just watch the two fine actors work at their craft. Remember, also, there are some other factors beyond the mission that are involved here.

Excellent acting by Gene and Denzel, but... Mild spoilers ahead...Starts out well as you feel the tension of their mission ahead. But about 30 minutes in, it totally goes into the realm of lunacy. How any captain of a nuclear sub suddenly goes into the insane act of wanting to launch warheads without even knowing if there's a war , is stretching any sense of realism to the film. And add on top of that, not one but two acts of mutiny is the span of 20 minutes, that is totally ridiculous. It became just a total farce. If they just stayed on the psychological battle between Gene and Denzel's characters and not the over the top nonsense, it would of been so much better.

There is a lot of ritual in the American military movies from the 90's. More than usual, that is. Crimson Tide is the story of a nuclear crisis when a crippled US submarine receives orders to fire nuclear missiles, then another partial message just before communications fail. The hardass captain (Hackman, of course) is countered in his desire to obey the launch order by the intellectual XO, played by Denzel Washington. And you have ritual in this as well: the speech before submarine launch, the wooden drills that have to happen "just so" with specific phrases and actions to reassure people they are doing the right thing. It's akin to religion and, by the very nature of the film, it makes you understand it was designed as such, transforming people into unthinking and uncaring machines.In truth, there isn't much to this movie in terms of story. The nuclear scenario is not really believable while the individual ideas in the film are simple and few. What makes the whole thing stand out is the great cast and their performance. There is some food for thought, though, because as far as the plot went, they really did receive a nuclear launch order when in all appearance, there was no need for one. That they recanted afterwards is of no relevance and perhaps a movie about that side of the story would be very interesting. Also, the ending shows that, as closed societies and fraternities often do, when a failure in their process or beliefs is found, it is quickly hidden under empty words and dirty bribes. Because even if they try to show the integrity of Hackman's character, the ending of the movie was just that: a bribe for a cover-up.As a conclusion, it is a classic film already, something that is worth watching for the sake of remembering the names of the actors in social situations alone, as James Gandolfini's character proves at the beginning of the film, and it also makes one think, if one is willing. What I found chilling is the joyful exuberance of the submarine troops when destroying the Russian one or the fanatic desire for some to follow the launch order. As Sting said, Russians love their children, too. So often in such movies, this element is completely ignored. That is what starts wars.

This movie shows us a few men in a submarine.They have a mission there, since there is a risk of a nuclear war started by a crazy Russian man.Two men are fighting their own personal war down there.Crimson Tide (1995) is directed by Tony Scott.Just a little time ago we heard some tragic news that this great Hollywood director has killed himself at the age of 68.One can ask whether his best work had already been done, or would it have been yet to come.Denzel Washington, who worked with Tony in five films (this being the first one), is terrific as Lt. Commander Ron Hunter.What a thrill it is to watch Gene Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey and the battle between his and Denzel's character.Matt Craven is great as Lt. Roy Zimmer.George Dzundza is brilliant as Chief of the Boat.Viggo Mortensen is superb as Lt. Peter Ince.James Gandolfini does great work as Lt. Bobby Dougherty.Rocky Carroll plays Lt. Darik Westergard.Danny Nucci is Petty Officer Danny Rivetti.Rick Schroder plays Lt. Paul Hellerman.Steve Zahn is William Barnes.Scott Grimes is seen as Petty Officer Hilaire.Ryan Phillippe is seen as Seaman Grattam.Jason Robards is in an uncredited role playing Rear Admiral Anderson.This is a great submarine movie.You can practically feel the tension they're feeling down there.Tony Scott, you did a great job!