May 11, 2020
'Crimson Tide'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Sean Fennessey, and Chris Ryan do not concur, and therefore must stage a mutiny to rewatch Tony Scott's thrilling 1995 film 'Crimson Tide,' starring Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, and Viggo Mortensen.
Cast
Denzel Washington as Lt. Commander Ron Hunter
Gene Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey
James Gandolfini as Lt. Commander Bobby Dougherty
Viggo Mortensen as Lt. Peter 'Weps' Ince
George Dzundza as Chief of the Boat
Directed by: Tony Scott
Written by: Michael Schiffer, Steven Zaillian
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Notes
- Quentin Tarantino did uncredited punch-up work – wrote the Silver Surfer argument, Captain Kirk/Star Trek dialogue, and submarine film references.
- Robert Towne dictated a key rewrite over the phone because it was so urgent; Simpson and Bruckheimer recorded his words.
- The US Navy initially cooperated but pulled all support once they learned the script involved a mutiny.
- Denzel confronted Tarantino on set about his use of the N-word. Tarantino wanted to move to a private area; Denzel said 'No, let's discuss it now.' Denzel later apologized; his daughter worked on Django Unchained.
- The character 'Lt. Zimmer' was named as an homage to Hans Zimmer, who won a Grammy for the main theme.
- Robert Mueller (as FBI Director) would quote Hackman's line 'We're here to preserve democracy, not to practice it.'
- The opening/closing title cards reference a real policy change – as of January 1, 1996, submarine captains no longer had sole authority to fire nuclear weapons.
- 'The most male movie probably ever made' – the only female character mouths her line.
Categories
Most re-watchable scene
- Bill: The final confrontation – Hackman hits Denzel, goes 'full racist,' the exchange 'God help you if you're wrong' / 'If I'm wrong, we're at war. God help us all,' the three-minute staredown waiting for the radio fix.
- Sean: The first mutiny scene – overlapping dialogue when Denzel relieves Hackman. 'Mr. Hunter, I've made a decision. I'm captain of this boat. Now shut the fuck up.'
- The Silver Surfer argument (Tarantino-written).
- The sub battle/torpedo sequence.
What aged the best?
- The EAM (Emergency Action Message) system as a cinematic device – three people reading it aloud, running envelopes down hallways.
- The opening and closing title cards and the real-world policy change they reference.
- The last 60 minutes being essentially in real time.
- Jason Robards' uncredited cameo at the end – three two-time Oscar winners in one scene.
What aged the worst?
- It was a great big-screen movie that loses something on TV no matter the screen size.
- Hackman going 'full racist' at the end – the hosts question whether that was the right character choice.
- Hackman pulling a gun on Viggo's character – felt like that would have come up in the hearing at the end.
Casting what-ifs
- Al Pacino was originally offered Captain Ramsey (Hackman's part).
- Brad Pitt wanted to play Hunter when Pacino was attached; dropped out when Pacino left.
- Tom Cruise was considered for Denzel's part.
- Val Kilmer was offered a role but declined; later said it was one of the few films he wished he had done.
Best "that guy"
Danny Nucci (the Silver Surfer argument guy) – Bill's pick, because nobody ever knew his name despite being in many things.
Over-acting award
- James Gandolfini – unanimous pick. 'A gorgeous porchetta in this movie.' Sexually aroused by pulling a gun, pre-Sopranos Gandolfini hamming it up.
- Rick Schroder for the 'seal the bay' scene.
Re-casting couch
Matt Craven's role (Lt. Zimmer) – wished a famous young 90s up-and-comer had been cast: suggestions include Leo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg.
Apex Mountain
- Tony Scott: Strong case but hosts lean toward 'True Romance' as his actual apex.
- Jack Russell Terriers: Double pop culture moment with Frasier's Eddie and Bear in this movie in 1995.
- Submarine movies: This or Hunt for Red October as the best ever; hosts give a slight edge to 'Crimson Tide' for rewatchability.
Picking nits
- Bringing the dog on the sub (piss and shit in the hallways).
- Hackman going full racist at the end.
- Steve Zahn's unclear job on the sub.
- The only cassette on the sub is Martha and the Vandellas' 'Nowhere to Run.'
- The final reconciliation scene – Hackman said unforgivable racist things and Denzel just forgives him.
(Probably) unanswerable questions
- What happened to Radchenko after the crisis? (Joke: he buys a Premier League team, then the New Jersey Nets.)
- Are we really sure these guys would just shake hands and move on after nearly causing nuclear war and overt racism?
Who won the movie?
Denzel Washington – unanimous. Established himself as a mainstream movie star at another level.
Half-assed (internet) research
- Roger Ebert gave it 3.5 stars – 'the rare kind of war movie that not only throws people on the edge of their seats but invites them to leave the theater actually discussing the issues.'
- Ryan Phillippe's first role (brief appearance).
- Steve Zahn appears as the radio operator.
- $157.3 million at the box office.