DANGER RUNS DEEP.
Just as the U.S. and Russia are facing the threat of nuclear war, the submarine USS Alabama heads out on a mission with a seasoned commander (Gene Hackman) and a fresh executive officer (Denzel Washington). The most macho submarine thriller you can imagine naturally comes from the director and producer of Top Gun (1986). The story, borrowing ingredients from Mutiny on the Bounty and The Caine Mutiny, is hard to believe at times but still scary and explosive, helped by Hans Zimmer’s adrenaline-charged music. The two stars make the most of their showdowns and the film is well-made, considering how the Navy refused to assist in its making.
1995-U.S. 115 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Don Simpson. Directed by Tony Scott. Screenplay: Michael Schiffer. Music: Hans Zimmer. Cast: Denzel Washington (Ron Hunter), Gene Hackman (Frank Ramsey), Matt Craven (Roy Zimmer), George Dzundza, Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini… Rick Schroder, Steve Zahn, Ryan Phillippe. Cameo: Jason Robards.
Trivia: Also released in a 123-min. version. Phillippe’s first film. Quentin Tarantino contributed with dialogue. Al Pacino and Val Kilmer were allegedly considered for roles.
Last word: “I buried that hatchet. I sought him out ten years ago. I told him, ‘Look, I apologize.’ You’ve just gotta let that go. You gonna walk around with that the rest of your life? He seemed relieved. And then here we are ten years later, and my daughter’s working with him. Life is something.” (Washington on fighting with Tarantino over what he considered racist dialogue, GQ)
