release year: 1990

genre: action/drama

viewing setting: home DVD, 7/22/01

what I expected: couldn't remember

what I got: one of the best sub thrillers

synopsis: Russia's best sub captain basically steals their best new sub. The only question is, what does he plan to do with it, and how will the U.S. react?

impressions: This was highly entertaining, with good action, tension, plot, and characters. It had that underlying current of international/war potential that made you pay attention to the little details.

acting: Sean Connery stole the show as the Russian sub captain Ramius. Scott Glenn also did a great job as an American sub captain who matched wits (and eventually had to work) with Ramius. Alec Baldwin wasn't bad as analyst Jack Ryan, but in the two Clancy novels-to-movies that followed this one, Harrison Ford really made that role his.

final word: Good sub action.

rating: B-