The Hunt For Red October
(1990)
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It is the pre-Glasnost era, and the captain of a Soviet sub intends to betray his brutal government and defect, but as the deadly Red October approaches the eastern seaboard of the United States, only special agent Jack Ryan might be able to head off a nuclear confrontation. Based on Tom Clancy's bestseller. Academy Award Nominations: 2. Academy Awards: Best Sound Effects Editing. |
This submarine drama marks the first screen appearance of Jack Ryan, the US agent subsequently played by Harrison Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger and, more recently, by Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears . Here, Ryan (Alec Baldwin) plays a distinct second fiddle to the Russian commander (a charismatic Sean Connery) who sparks an international crisis when he starts heading his sub straight for the USA. As the superpowers engage in the usual round of accusations and denials, it's left to Ryan to figure out whether the Russian is defecting or preparing to attack. The talented supporting cast (Sam Neill, Tim Curry, Joss Ackland, James Earl Jones, Scott Glenn) gives a pleasing sheen to the material, while John McTiernan's no-frills direction ensures that the tension rarely slips below pressure-cooker level.
Halliwell's Film Guide
An intermittently suspenseful thriller, stronger on hardware than human interest.