Jagd auf Roter Oktober

The best techno-thriller ever made, and the best of the Tom Clancy adapted-novel movies, 'The Hunt For Red October' is nearly perfect.

Director John McTiernan successfully translates Tom Clancy's first book to the screen, taking his 'Die Hard' expertise to an even higher level of film art, and we get the privilege of climbing aboard a ride that begs to be ridden over and over again. McTiernan is (arguably) the all-time best action-thriller director, and this is his overall finest film.

Red October is full of memorable scenes and lines, from the opening scenes to the closing credits.

The cast is headlined by Sean Connery in one of his best and most memorable film roles.

Alec Baldwin sails on Connery's wake, and similarly puts forth one of his best roles in film - no small feat is following in Harrison Fords footsteps as the original big screen Jack Ryan. Baldwin pulls it off, creating his own younger version of Jack Ryan that fits this story well.

James Earl Jones is back in the role he seems born to play of Retired Vice Admiral / CIA Deputy Director James Greer - Hard to imagine anyone else in the part.

Scott Glenn, Sam Neil, Courtney Vance, Richard Jordan and Fred Thompson all superb in critical supporting roles. If the entire ensemble cast didn't work synergestically in the close quarters setting inherent in submarines (most of the scenes were actually filmed aboard a sub), the movie would have sunk... It sailed perfectly, and bravo to all👏!

Editing at large builds tension and keeps one on the edge-of-their-seat - both required elements in good thrillers. The superb sound editing sets a high bar for action-thrillers, and deserved its Oscar.

Red October is right up there at the pinnacle of action-thrillers (along with McTiernan's Die Hard) - a true hall-of-fame action-thriller - this film adds the "thinking-man" element missing in Die Hard, resulting in more adult-palatable entertainment, and moves Red October to the top of the action-thriller genre list.

Surely most reading this review have seen 'The Hunt For Red October' already, and can attest to its high entertainment-value...I envy those who are about to see it for the first time - climb aboard and enjoy the ride!

This film is written as great as a great book. Many of the dialogues have deeper meanings. There's a lot of political stuff in this film, which is very well presented. The music score is fantastic. The editing is top notch. The cast is perfect - Sean Connery, Sam Neill, Alec Baldwin, Tim Curry and many more fantastic actors. The thriller aspect of this film is superb, it's a very gripping and supense movie.

I loved this experience of a film.

Because of the intrigue this film offers, the circumstances involved tie up neatly in a very convincing way. Needing all of the variables to fall into place if his defection hopes to be successful, Soviet (although Lithuanian by birth) submarine Captain Ramius (Sean Connery) is a very worthy submarine captain. Never cracking under pressure and carrying out his duty professionally, Ramius is the perfect ally to the west in keeping the balance between the super powers in their military endeavours.

Alec Baldwin is good as Jack Ryan. I wish he had stayed on as this character in 'Patriot Games' and 'Clear and Present Danger', because although I like Harrison Ford better as a movie star/actor, Baldwin just seemed better for this role. Too bad he left.

Director John McTiernan uses a smooth pace and lets the screenplay speak louder than his role as the man in charge of it all and the film's photography is tense along with the editing and sound. An Oscar winner for sound effects editing, 'The Hunt for Red October' will put a submarine in your living room if you have the DVD 5.1. surround sound. It's positively realistic!

This movie never fails to entertain me. Smartly directed, well written, and acted it always brings a fresh newness no matter how many times I've seen it. It could have been the beginning of a franchise for Alec Baldwin. He is very much centered and controlled. Sean Connery is also standout.

Could recommend this to anyone without hesitation. On DVD it's a visual feast. Just a great looking movie. Wish that all the other Clancy books had been adapted so well.

Just before Gorbachev's rise to power in the USSR, a notable naval commander (Connery) takes a technologically advanced submarine on its maiden voyage to conduct missile drills off of America's east coast. Something happens to draw the ire of the Soviet brass while a CIA analyst (Baldwin) believes the captain might be defecting. James Earl Jones, Sam Neill and Courtney B Vance are on hand.

Based on the 1984 Tom Clancy novel, "The Hunt for Red October" (1990) is a well-done Cold War thriller and the first of currently five movies involving the character of Jack Ryan. The next two are "Patriot Games" (1992) and "Clear and Present Danger" (1994) featuring Harrison Ford in the role. Then Ben Affleck would take over for one installment, "The Sum of All Fears" (2002), before Chris Pine's "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit" (2014).

To appreciate this movie, you have to be in the mood for military-oriented drama/suspense rooted in global politics and an all-male cast (except for a cameo by Gates McFadden). Like "Ice Station Zebra" (1968), the scenes mostly consist of men dialoguing & strategizing in the cramped quarters of submarines or vessels; as well as political rooms/offices. A saboteur is no doubt lurking nearby.

The movie runs 2 hours, 15 minutes, and was shot in America, e.g. Port Valdez, Alaska (opening sequence); Lake James, North Carolina (closing scene); the state of Washington (Port Angeles & Keyport); naval bases in Los Angeles and Connecticut; USS Blueback; San Diego; as well as Liverpool, England (standing-in for Moscow).

GRADE: B.