In 1984, the cold war battle between the United States and the Soviet Union crippled the globe with a constant fear that at any moment the two superpowers could be pushed to the edge of sanity and erupt into a battle that could end the world as it was then known. World renowned military style author Tom Clancy masterfully captured this incredible tension with his debut novel, The Hunt for Red October, which made the successful transition to the big screen in 1990.
“Once more we play our dangerous game of chess against our old adversary, the American Navy…Today the game is different. We have the advantage.” The line, spoken by Captain Marko Ramius, ignites a joyous frenzy amongst the Soviet crew that man the nuclear attack submarine, Red October. “The world trembled at the sound of our rockets. Now they will tremble again – at the sound of our silence.”
Academy Award winning actor Sean Connery dons the burly sable hat and naval overcoat in whatcouldbe his most brilliant performance. Connery delivers each line with such stoic power, he can easily check his Scottish heritage under a gruff white beard and come across as a perfect red child of Mother Russia. We know from the start that Captain Ramius is a shrewd and highly tactical seaman whose crew would follow him into the fires of hell if commanded. What we don’t know is his level of sanity, or his endgame, as he orders the fully armed Red October towards the east coast of the United States.
Director John McTiernan, whose expertise comes from the likes of overly action packed titles like “Predator” and “Die Hard” takes a gripping story from Clancy and puts the viewer right in the middle of the drama. Even those who didn’t experience the tension of the cold war firsthand are sure to grasp the serious tones as the chess match (as Ramius puts it) between a host of battle prepared machines equipped with enough firepower to eradicate the Atlantic unfolds.
The brilliance of “Red October” comes from Ramius’ chief opponent. Not a muscle bound bazooka-toting patriot, but a scrawny pencil pushing CIA analyst named Jack Ryan, who seems more fit to be fetching coffee and sandwhiches for the five star generals of the pentagon than advising them on issues of national security.
The character of Jack Ryan is played by Alec Baldwin (who was just 32 years old at the time). Baldwin gives the character a perfect balance of bravado and loving family man, and his youthful charm demonstrates a star was in the making. As Red October hurls towards the U.S. beneath the surface of the water, the political ramifications of the event are played out as well.
We see the likes of Sam Neill in a pre-Jurassic Park role as Ramius’ right hand man Vasily Borodin, and Tim Curry as the Soviet medical officer Dr. Petrov. What’s interesting is that neither are of Russian decent yet both, like Connery, manage to play the roles with flawless ease. The great and dominating James Earl Jones is right at home with the character of James Greer, CIA Deputy Director and Jack Ryan ally.
Nominated for three Academy Awards and taking the honors for one (Best Sound Editing) “The Hunt for Red October” is a brilliant thriller told in a mellow fashion lost in today’s world of explosions, car chases, and bloodbaths. The 80s were shrouded in fear of the cold war. History has told us that there was no nuclear strike between the two great nations. That no button was pushed signifying Armageddon. But the fear was constant, and all too real.
“The Hunt for Red October” is a great film for fans of history, military stories, or simply excitingthrillers. The characters are memorable and the acting is superb. Clancy and McTiernan bring the frigid chill of the Cold War right into your living room.
– by Matt Christopher
