Directed by:
John McTiernanCinematography:
Jan de BontComposer:
Basil PoledourisCast:
Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Joss Ackland, Richard Jordan, Peter Firth, Tim Curry, Courtney B. Vance (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
Sean Connery plays Captain Marko Ramius, a dissatisfied Russian commander who navigates his submarine towards America in an attempt to defect. Soviet intelligence claims that Ramius is a warmonger and that he plans to launch nuclear missiles at the United States. Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin), an iconoclastic CIA agent, believes otherwise: American spies have determined that the submarine is powered by a stealth engine. In order to save the "caterpillar drive" and avoid a nuclear incident, Agent Ryan must board the Red October and assist Captain Ramius in its navigation to U.S. waters. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
Not so much a pure action movie, but rather an exhilarating duel between two top-notch captains. The plot twists are rather just a complement. Both Sean Connery and Scott Glenn deliver magnificent performances, topped off with a final handshake. John McTiernan's direction is excellent. And it couldn’t be otherwise, as it was still during the times when he was at the peak of his career, making one hit after another, and The Hunt for Red October is one of his best pieces. The atmosphere of the submarine is fantastic and the underwater battles are thrilling.
()
An impressive adaptation of an equally impressive book. A very good cast where even Alec Baldwin is cast well in the role of Jack Ryan and mainly the immensely charismatic Soviet Captain Marko Ramius played by Sean Connery. Add to this an interesting story, masterfully built suspense and great cadence. Plus McTiernan’s sure directing supported by marvelous music from Basil Poledouris and Hans Zimmer. Without a doubt, the best movie adaptation of a book by graphomaniac Tom Clancy. OST score: 4/5
()
A well cast, old-school nautical thriller. McTiernan has everything firmly in hand and Basil Poledouris's music perfectly underlines the dense atmosphere.
()
It's a shame the submarine wasn't utilized more as a claustrophobic setting because that's what it will always be to me. Sean Connery is good as a Russian, but this casting choice was simply wrong for the story because then everything becomes somewhat obvious, and you're just waiting to see how it will all end in the spirit of the Cold War's conclusion.
()