CRIMSON TIDE: SUMMARY

A rebel force has taken over nuclear missile launch sites near Vladivostok in Eastern Russia.
The leader of the force, a radical Russian named Radchenko (Daniel von Bargen), threatens
to launch the missiles he has seized. Radchenko's forces, about 60,000 strong, have also
gained control of three Akula-class attack submarines to protect the shores off Vladivostok.

The United States summons the officers and crew of the nuclear submarine Alabama, which
is being dispatched to patrol the coast of eastern Russia. If necessary, the Alabama will be
available to launch nuclear missiles to stop Radchenko's forces before they can launch their
hijacked missiles.

Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) of the US Navy is called into an interview with
the Alabama's CO, Captain Ramsey (Gene Hackman). The Alabama's executive officer (XO)
is ill and a replacement is needed. Ramsey is impressed with Hunter's service record and
the two connect over horse riding. Ramsey's Jack Russell Terrier also seems to approve of
Hunter.

The situation in Vladivostok escalates and Hunter and his friend, Lt. "Weps" Ince (Viggo
Mortensen), are called up for duty and leave immediately for the Alabama. Ramsey gives a
stirring send-off speech and the boat puts to sea. Before they submerge, Ramsey and
Hunter enjoy cigars while on watch on the conning tower. Ramsey is impressed with
Hunter's ability to remain silent and not "explain away" the moment just before they
submerge.

At an officers' dinner, Ramsey and the crew pontificate about the threat of nuclear war.
Ramsey is eager to know Hunter's views on the subject, especially since the XO has a
degree in philosophy. Hunter states the true nature of war is to serve itself and leave the
world destroyed. Ramsey takes the opinion seriously although he seems to disagree with his
XO.

On patrol off the eastern coast of Russia, the Alabama runs drills. When a fire breaks out in
the galley, Hunter rushes to help put the blaze out. At that moment, Ramsey orders a missile
launching drill to be performed. Hunter is perturbed that Ramsey would order a drill in the
midst of an emergency but reports to the bridge to oversee the transfer of coded
transmissions and report to Ramsey. During a lull in the drill, Hunter informs the captain that
the fire in the galley could flare up again but Ramsey dismisses him, concentrating on the
drill. A report comes in from below decks; one of the crew has suffered a heart attack.
Ramsey cancels the drill and goes below to check on the crew member, who has died.

Ramsey orders Hunter into his cabin and reprimands him for trying to interrupt the drill.

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Hunter calmly counters that the fire needed more attention and that the captain's calling for a
drill had jeopardized the safety of the boat. Ramsey tells the XO that confusion aboard a
submarine is something to be taken advantage of. Hunter still obviously disagrees; however,
he chooses not to say so.

The Alabama receives an emergency action message (EAM) informing them that
Radchenko is very close to breaking the codes for missile launch and that the US defence
readiness has been raised to DEFCON 3. Further patrols with the Alabama's crew on even
higher alert will be necessary. A fight breaks out between a petty officer, Rivetti (Danny
Nucci), and another man, Bennefield (Eric Bruskotter) over the origins of the Silver Surfer
and Hunter breaks it up, telling Rivetti to act like a leader. Hunter reports to Ramsey about
the altercation and the tension amongst the crew over their current state of readiness.
Ramsey announces to the crew over the boat's PA system that infighting will not be tolerated
and the threat of war is of the utmost importance.

In the sub's sonar cabin, Rivetti and his unit detect an enemy submarine, possibly one of the
Akulas that Radchenko has command of. Ramsey orders him to identify the sub and orders
an evasion manoeuver to escape detection by the Akula. An EAM arrives seemingly
ordering a launch of the Alabama's missiles. Ramsey orders the procedures for launch to be
initiated. Another EAM comes in but the Alabama is too deep to receive it. Hunter requests
that the sub's buoy be launched to receive the EAM. The buoy winch fails, causing noise
and alerting the Akula to the Alabama's location. The Akula attacks with torpedoes. The
Alabama successfully evades the torpedoes, one of which explodes very close, severing the
buoy cable. The Alabama suffers minor damage, the Akula disappears from sonar and the
buoy cable is severed, cutting off the EAM. Additionally, the radio equipment has suffered
severe damage and no messages are going out or coming in.

Ramsey and Hunter review the EAM, finding that the message doesn't contain any clear
order. Hunter recommends that the Alabama surface to receive the rest of the message, but
Ramsey refuses, saying it's too dangerous with the Akula still nearby. Ramsey intends to
continue with the launch of his missiles, but Hunter quickly disagrees, saying the incomplete
message could be a target package change or an order to cancel the launch. Ramsey
counters saying that the message is not a complete order and not to be followed up upon
and orders Hunter to repeat his command to launch. Hunter refuses under Navy regulations,
citing the fact that Ramsey's order must be repeated for it to stand, concluding that the
captain is acting irrationally. When Ramsey will not concur with Hunter, the XO orders
Ramsey to be arrested and locked in his cabin. A hesitant Chief of the Boat concurs with the
XO and has the captain detained. Hunter assumes command and informs the crew that they
will still patrol, at the same state of readiness, and attempt to re-establish communications to
verify the EAM.

On sonar, the Akula reappears and attacks, launching torpedoes. Hunter orders an evasion
plan and the Alabama avoids being hit. Hunter launches two more torpedoes which connect
with their target and destroy the Akula. However, a last torpedo was launched by the Akula
before it was destroyed and explodes very close to the Alabama. Propulsion is damaged and
the bilge bay takes on water despite the efforts of several crew members to contain it. The
men in the bilge bay drown when Hunter orders the bilge bay sealed. Meanwhile, the
Alabama is sinking rapidly, approaching a depth of 1850 feet, where the intense water
pressure will crush the hull. Propulsion is restored before the boat can be destroyed and the
boat rises to a safe depth.

Several of Ramsey's officers decide that Hunter is unfit for command and they plot a
counter-mutiny to free Ramsey. They persuade Weps to join them and give them the key to
the weapons locker to take the sub back by force. They free Ramsey, who follows the armed
men back to the bridge where they arrest Hunter and the other officers who aided him in the

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mutiny. Ramsey assumes command and orders the launch to continue. While in detention,
Hunter talks philosophically about the choice to launch nuclear missiles and start the
destruction of the world.

Rivetti, while walking between cabins, is stopped by the same man he fought with earlier.
Rivetti is able to overpower the larger man and free Hunter and the other arrested officers.
They make their way back to the bridge to stop Ramsey from launching. After a tense
altercation in the weapons cabin which delays Ramsey long enough for Hunter to seize the
master missile key, the two face off on the bridge. Ramsey hits Hunter in the face twice,
demanding his missile key back. Communications reports that the radio is very close to
being operational. Ramsey allows three minutes for the radio to operate again and receive
another EAM. The two sit in the command centre, awaiting the message. While they do,
Ramsey lights a cigar and brings up the subject of horse riding again, saying that Lipizzaner
stallions are from Portugal. Hunter tells the captain they're Spanish horses, born with a black
colour and turn white later in life. Ramsey still insists they're from Portugal.

Rivetti reports that the EAM transmitter is fixed and that a new EAM is coming in. It's brought
to the bridge and authenticated. When authenticated, the message is for the Alabama to
stand down and cancel the launch of their missiles. Ramsey retires himself from the bridge
and is saluted as he walks to his cabin.

In Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, a general inquiry is called before the Pacific Fleet admiral (Jason
Robards). Having reviewed the incident, he tells both Hunter and Ramsey that they both
were right and wrong in their actions aboard the Alabama. Off the record, he admonishes
both of them, saying they've done much to disrupt the traditional chain of command of the
Navy. The admiral also announces, to Hunter's surprise, that Ramsey has filed for
retirement. Hunter is further astonished when he hears that he is to be given a captain's
commission aboard another submarine and that he came highly recommended by Ramsey
himself.

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