When Russian rebels gain control of nuclear weapons in the USSR, the United States retaliates by deploying the USS Alabama, a nuclear submarine commanded by Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman). Veteran soldier and Naval legend Ramsey selects Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington)--a Harvard graduate who prefers using brains over weapons--as his Executive Officer. While submerged, the Alabama is attacked by a Russian sub and loses radio contact just as an order is being transmitted from headquarters. Old Navy dog Ramsey firmly believes that the interrupted transmission ends with an order to fire their nuclear missiles at the Russian rebels. Hunter, desperate to avoid starting World War III, is determined to re-establish radio contact and act only after complete orders are received. Without the second-in-command's agreement, the missiles cannot be launched, and soon Ramsey and Hunter are engaged in a tense battle of wills, forcing the crew to choose sides. In the tradition of TOP GUN and TRUE ROMANCE, director Tony Scott keeps the tension running high in this fast-paced military thriller. Hackman scores as the tradition-bound Ramsey, and Washington is superb as the thoughtful young officer who feels compelled to take a stand against his superior.

The nuclear submarine Alabama, on a mission near Russian waters, gets an incomplete order that may or may not be the signal to launch nuclear weapons. Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman) wants to launch missiles, but must have the agreement of his second-in-command, Hunter (Denzel Washington). A tense battle of wills ensue, as the crew must choose sides in this tense military thriller.

Theatrical release: May 12, 1995.

Ryan Phillippe made his feature film debut with his brief appearance as Seaman Grattam.

Jason Robards makes an uncredited appearance as the Admiral.

Uncredited screenplay assistance came from Quentin Tarantino.

The film earned $91.4 million at the box office in 1995.

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.35
Single Side - Single Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo - English
Subtitles - French, Spanish
Interactive Features:
Scene Access
Interactive Menus

Distributor Notes: Crimson Tide

Dynamic Denzel Washington (TRAINING DAY) joins Hollywood favorite Gene Hackman (ENEMY OF THE STATE) along with Viggo Mortensen (THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy) and James Gandolfini (TV's THE SOPRANOS) in this intense action thriller that's a smash hit with audiences and critics alike! In the midst of a global crisis, the USS Alabama receives an unconfirmed order to launch its nuclear missiles -- signaling the start of Word War III! The tension quickly rises as the sub's respected commander (Hackman) and his brilliant executive officer (Washington) clash over the validity of their orders ... battling each other for control of the sub! As this epic struggle rages under the sea, CRIMSON TIDE brings motion picture excitement to a new level -- and you to the edge of your seat!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

Denzel Washington: American actor, GLORY/TRAINING DAY
Gene Hackman: American Actor
Viggo Mortensen: American Actor
George Dzundza: American Character Actor
Matt Craven: American actor
James Gandolfini: American Italian Actor, THE SOPRANOS
Rocky Carroll: AMERICAN SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jaime P. Gomez: ACTOR
Danny Nucci: Actor/"Book Of Love"
Rick Schroder: American Actor, NYPD BLUE
Steve Zahn: Actor
Jason Robards: Oscar Winning American Film and Stage Actor, ALL THE PRESIDE
Chris Ellis: Star, Film and TV movies, began in early '80s

Tony Scott: British director, TOP GUN/ENEMY OF THE STATE

Jerry Bruckheimer: Producer
Don Simpson: American Film Producer/Jerry Bruckheimer Partner

Michael Schiffer: 
Richard P. Henrick: SCREENWRITER

Hans Zimmer: Composer

Chris Lebenzon: Editor, XXX (2002)

"...[A] propulsively pulse-pounding undersea thriller....[A] supersonic race against the clock..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars
Ranked #8 in Entertainment Weekly's "10 Best Movies of 1995" -- "...Riveting....The two actors keep working to top each other's fury..."
"...Skillfully crafted to maximize visual excitement and dramatic fireworks....An exciting, efficient, straight-ahead thriller..."
"...A cracking good piece of popular entertainment....Capped by taut performances by stars Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman and a brisk job of direction by Tony Scott..."
"...It's clever....It's also daring....This is the rare kind of war movie that not only thrills people while they're watching it, but invites them to leave the theater actually discussing the issues..."
4 stars out of 5 -- "[T]his tense, well-handled pot-boiler brings out the very best in its two leads."
4 stars out of 5 -- "CRIMSON TIDE is a brooding and claustrophobic thriller..."