Name: Crimson Tide
Genre: Drama, Action, Thriller, War
Released: 1995-05-12
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Matt Craven, George Dzundza, Viggo Mortensen

17 quotes

Crimson Tide

Power Struggles on a Nuclear Submarine

Taglines (Theatrical Poster) On the nuclear submarine USS Alabama, one man has absolute power. And one man will do anything to stop him.

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Crimson Tide

The Depths of Danger

Taglines Danger runs deep.

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Crimson Tide

Questioning Decisions in Crisis Leadership

Capt. Ramsey Think it was a mistake, Mr. Hunter?

Hunter Sir?

Capt. Ramsey Using the bomb on ].

[[w:Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|Hiroshima and Nagasaki]

Hunter Well, if I thought that, sir, I wouldn't be here.

Capt. Ramsey Interesting way you put that.

Hunter How'd I put it, sir?

Capt. Ramsey Very carefully.

[Chuckles]

Capt. Ramsey You do qualify your remarks. If someone asked me if we should bomb Japan, a simple "Yes. By all means sir, drop that fucker, twice!

Capt. Ramsey I don't mean to suggest that you're indecisive, Mr. Hunter. Not at all. Just, uh... complicated. Course, that's the way the Navy wants you. Me, they wanted simple.

Hunter Well, you certainly fooled them, sir.

Ramsey Be careful there, Mr. Hunter. It's all I've got to rely on, being a simple-minded son of a bitch. ] gave me my command, a checklist, a target and a button to push. All I gotta know is how to push it, they tell me when. They seem to want you to know why.

[chuckles; [Hyman G. Rickover|Rickover]

Hunter I would hope they'd want us all to know why, sir.

Ramsey At the ] it was metallurgy and nuclear reactors, not 19th-century philosophy. "War is a continuation of politics by other means." ].

[[wikipedia:U.S. Naval War College|Naval War College; [w:Carl von Clausewitz|Von Clausewitz]

Hunter I think, sir, that what he was actually trying to say was a little more -

Ramsey Complicated?

Hunter Yes, the purpose of war is to serve a political end, but the true nature of war is to serve itself.

Ramsey I'm very impressed. In other words, the sailor most likely to win the war is the one most willing to part company with the politicians and ignore everything except the destruction of the enemy. You'd agree with that.

[Laughing]

Hunter I'd agree that, um, that's what Clausewitz was trying to say.

Ramsey But you wouldn't agree with it?

Hunter No, sir, I do not. No, I just think that in the nuclear world, the true enemy can't be destroyed.

Ramsey Attention on deck. Von Clausewitz will now tell us exactly who the real enemy is. Von?

[Chuckling, tapping glass; Gestures to Hunter]

Hunter In my humble opinion... in the nuclear world, the true enemy is war itself.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Crimson Tide

Demand for Improved Performance in Drills

Hunter Captain, here's the results from the missile drill.

Capt. Ramsey Is this the best they can do?

[looks at the missile drill results]

Hunter No sir. But, that's what they did.

Capt. Ramsey I want this down to five minutes. Train on it.

Hunter Yes, sir.

Capt. Ramsey Tell your buddy Weaps to do it again, and keep on doing it until he gets it right.

Hunter Yes, sir.

Capt. Ramsey It looks like the whole crew needs a kick in the ass.

Hunter Or a pat on the back, sir. I just witnessed a fight down in crew's mess, no big deal. It appears that the crew is a bit on edge about all we're going through. Morale seems a bit low.

Capt. Ramsey May I have your attention please, crew of the Alabama, Mr. Hunter has brought it to my attention that morale maybe a bit low. and you might be a bit...

[picks up the intercom and speaks into it; looks to Hunter]

Hunter On edge.

[whispers]

Capt. Ramsey On edge. So, I suggest this. Any crew member who thinks that they can't handle the situation, can leave the ship right now. Gentlemen, we are at ] three, war is IMMINENT. This is the Captain. That is all.

[over the intercom; [w:DEFCON|DEFCON; hangs up the intercom]

Hunter Very inspiring, sir.

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Crimson Tide

Power and Resistance in Nuclear Crisis

Taglines (DVD Cover) In the face of the ultimate nuclear showdown, one man has absolute power. And one man will do anything to stop him.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Crimson Tide

Leadership and Responsibility on the Navy Submarine

Capt. Frank Ramsey Little ducks, there's trouble in Russia. So they called us. And we're going over there and bringing the most lethal killing machine ever devised. We're capable of launching more firepower than has ever been released in the history of war. For one purpose alone: To keep our country safe. We constitute the front line and the last line of defense. I expect and demand your very best. Anything less, you should have joined the Air Force. This might be our Commander-in-Chief's Navy, but this is my boat. And all I ask is that you keep up with me. And if you can't... that strange sensation you'll be feeling in the seat of your pants will be my boot in your ass! Mr. COB!

[crew laughs; crew laughs again; Ramsey returns to dock stage and calls out over sound system]

Chief of the Boat Yes, sir?

Ramsey You're aware of the name of this ship, aren't you Mr. COB?

Chief of the Boat Very aware, sir!

Ramsey It bears a proud name, doesn't it, Mr. COB?

Chief of the Boat Very proud, sir!

Ramsey It represents fine people.

Chief of the Boat Very fine people, sir!

Ramsey Who live in a fine, outstanding state.

Chief of the Boat Outstanding, sir!

Ramsey In the greatest country in the entire world.

Chief of the Boat In the entire world, sir!

Ramsey And what is that name, Mr. COB?

Chief of the Boat Alabama, sir!

Ramsey And what do we say?

Ramsey, Chief of the Boat GO BAMA!

Crew ]!

[[w:Alabama Crimson Tide|ROLL TIDE]

Capt. Ramsey Chief of the Boat, dismiss the crew.

Chief of the Boat Dismiss the crew, aye-aye sir. Crew, department heads, attend to your departments. FALL OUT!

[addresses crew; crew begins embarking at bugle call]

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Crimson Tide

Questioning Perceptions of Authority and Judgment

Captain Frank Ramsey What'd you think, son? That I was just some crazy old coot, putting everyone in harm's way as I yelled "YEE-HA!"?

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Crimson Tide

Preserving Democracy Over Practicing It

Captain Frank Ramsey We're here to preserve democracy—not to practice it.

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Crimson Tide

Emergency Action Message Protocol Initiated

Radio Conn/Radio. We are receiving flash traffic. Emergency action message. Recommend alert one. Recommend alert one.

Conn Alert one. Alert one.

Capt. Ramsey Dougherty, Westergaurd, Zimmer. Get that EAM.

Dougherty, Westergaurd, Zimmer Aye, aye, sir.

Capt. Ramsey God help you if you're wrong.

[''to Hunter'']

Hunter ...If I'm wrong, then we're at war...God help us all.

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Crimson Tide

Testimony and Accountability in Military Investigations

Rear Admiral Anderson Stand there, Lieutenant Commander Hunter, this won't take long. This panel has convened in order to investigate the events subsequent to the setting of condition 1SQ for strategic missile launch aboard the USS Alabama on 1 November. Now based on the testimony of personnel onboard the Alabama and in no small measure to that of the senior officer, Captain Ramsey, I'm prepared to make my recommendations to ].

[[w:ComSubPac|SUBPAC]

LCdr Hunter Without my testimony, sir?

Anderson You have a problem with that?

Hunter I might, sir.

[beat]

Anderson I have known Captain Ramsey for almost 30 years. We've served together on more than a few occasions. If he is lying, this will be the first I've heard of it.

Hunter Yes, sir.

Anderson My primary concern here is the breakdown in the system. In this instance, the system failed because the two senior officers did not work to resolve their differences while preserving the chain of command. Now you may have been proven right Mr. Hunter, but in so far as the letter of the law is concerned, you were both right - and you were also both wrong. This is the dilemma that will occupy this panel, this Navy, and this country's armed forces as a whole long after you leave this room. Off the record, you've both created one hell of a mess. A mutiny aboard a United States nuclear submarine. Violation of nuclear launch protocol. For the record, it is the conclusion of this panel that your actions aboard the Alabama were consistent with the best traditions of the Navy and in the interests of the United States. As such, the recommendations of this panel will be: to accept, in a manner reflective of his long and dedicated service to his country, Captain Ramsey's request for early retirement from active duty; and based in no small part on Captain Ramsey's recommendation, that Lieutenant Commander Hunter be given his next command at the earliest possible convenience. Unless of course, you wish to challenge these recommendations.

Hunter No, sir.

Anderson Captain Ramsey?

Capt Ramsey No, sir.

[beat]

Anderson Dismissed.

[beat]

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Crimson Tide

Selecting a New Executive Officer

Capt. Ramsey Annapolis. Five patrols on fast attacks. Two on boomers; one as X.O.

[reading Hunter's file]

Capt. Ramsey Hmm. A year at... Excuse me. Harvard? I talked to your former C.O. He tells me he tried to adopt you. As you no doubt heard, my X.O. Has appendicitis. He's the best I ever had. I need a good man to fill his spot. Your name was at the top of the list.

[looks to Hunter, impressed; closes Hunter's file]

Hunter Well, that's good to know, sir.

Capt. Ramsey It was a short list. Your interests, Mr. Hunter. What do you like to do? Do you, uh...Do you paint, play ball, play an instrument, ride motorcycles, what?

[beat]

Hunter I ride horses.

Capt. Ramsey Horses. What's the best horse you ever rode?

Hunter Arabian, sir.

Capt. Ramsey An Arabian? That's a powerful animal.

Hunter Yes.

Hunter You ever ridden one?

Capt. Ramsey Me? Are you kidding? Nah, I couldn't handle an Arabian. Nah, just give me an old paint. Yeah, horses are fascinating animals. Dumb as fence posts but very intuitive. In that way, they're not too different from high school girls. They might not have a brain in their head but they do know all the boys want to fuck em.

Capt. Ramsey Don't have to be able to read Ulysses to know where they're comin from.

Hunter No, sir.

Capt. Ramsey He approves of you. Jack Russells. Smartest dogs alive. Name's Bear. Goes everyplace with me. Well, welcome aboard the Alabama, son. Do me proud.

[referring to the dog; extends his hand]

Hunter I will, sir.

[shakes]

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Crimson Tide

Discussion of Lipizzaner Stallions in Crimson Tide

Ramsey Speaking of horses...did you ever see those Lipizzaner stallions?

Hunter What?

Ramsey From Portugal. The Lipizzaner stallions. The most highly trained horses in the world. They're all white.

Hunter Yes, sir.

Ramsey Yes, sir" you're aware they're all white or "Yes, sir" you've seen them?

Hunter Yes, sir, I've seen them. Yes, sir, I'm aware that they're all white. They're not from Portugal; they're from Spain. And at birth, they're not white; they're black. Sir.

Ramsey I didn't know that. But they are from Portugal.

[''grins'']

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Crimson Tide

Communication Breakdown During Critical Moment

Hunter Captain? Got the EAM.

Hunter What do you think?

Ramsey I think there's nothing on this.

Hunter Yes, sir. It, uh, got cut off during the attack.

Ramsey Then it's meaningless.

Hunter Sir, this is an EAM pertaining to nuclear missiles.

Ramsey No, Mr. Hunter, that's a message fragment.

Hunter Because it got cut off during the attack, sir. The message could mean anything. It could be a message to abort. It could be a message--

Ramsey Could be a fake Russian transmission.

Hunter Which is exactly why we need to confirm it, sir. All I'm asking for is the time we need to get back on line.

Ramsey Calm down, Mr. Hunter.

Hunter I am calm.

Ramsey You don't appear to be calm.

Weapons Conn/Weapons: Missile systems ready to launch in four minutes.

Ramsey Step aside, seaman.

Seaman Yes, sir.

Ramsey We have orders in hand, and those orders are to make a preemptive launch. Every second that we lose increases the chances, that by the time our missiles arrive, their silos could be empty, cause they've flown their birds and struck us first.

Hunter Yes, sir.

Ramsey You know as well as I do that any launch order received without authentication is no order at all.

Hunter Captain... National Mili…

Ramsey That's our #1 rule. That rule is the basis for the scenario we've trained on time and time again.

[continues to talk over Hunter]

Hunter Yes, sir.

Ramsey It's a rule we follow without exception.

Hunter Captain, National Military Command Center knows what sector we're in. They have satellites looking down on us to see if our birds are aloft. And if they're not, then they give our orders to somebody else. That's why we maintain more than one sub. It's what they call "redundancy.

Ramsey I know about redundancy, Mr. Hunter.

[walks off]

Hunter All I'm saying...

Hunter All I'm saying, Captain, is that we have backup. Now, it's our duty not to launch until we can confirm.

Ramsey You're presuming that we have other submarines out there ready to launch. But as captain, I must assume that our submarines could have been taken out by other Akulas. We can play these games all night, Mr. Hunter, but I don't have the luxury of your presumptions.

Hunter Sir...

Ramsey Mr. Hunter, we have rules that are not open to interpretation, personal intuition, gut feelings, hairs on the back of your neck, little devils or angels sitting on your shoulders.

Hunter Captain...

Ramsey We're all very well aware of what our orders are and what those orders mean. They come down from our Commander-in-Chief. They contain no ambiguity.

Hunter Captain, sir...

Ramsey Mr. Hunter, I've made the decision. I'm captain of this boat. Now shut the fuck up! Damn. Weapons/Conn: Shift targeting to target package SLBM 64741/2. This is the Captain.

[over the intercom]

Hunter ...Captain, I cannot concur.

Ramsey Repeat my command.

Hunter Sir, we don't know what this means. Our target package could have changed.

Ramsey You repeat this order or I'll find somebody who will!

Hunter Hell no, you won't, sir.

[stares at Ramsey]

Ramsey You're relieved of your position. COB, remove Mr. Hunter from the control room. Get Lieutenant Zimmer in here now!

Hunter No, sir, I do not concur and I do not recognize your authority to relieve me on the command under Navy regulations.

Ramsey COB, arrest this man and get him out!

Hunter Captain Ramsey, under operating procedures governing the release of nuclear weapons we cannot launch our missiles unless both you, and I agree.

Ramsey COB, what're you waiting for?!

[shouting over Hunter]

Hunter Now this is not a formality, sir! This is expressly why your command must be repeated! It requires my assent, I do not give it! And furthermore, if you continue upon this course, and insist upon this launch without confirming this message first...

Ramsey Son of a bitch... As commanding officer of the USS Alabama I order you to place the XO under arrest under charges of mutiny!

[shouting over Hunter]

Hunter I will be forced, backed by the rules of precedents...

Ramsey I say again, as commanding officer of the USS Alabama, I order you...

[shouting at the Chief of the Boat, over Hunter]

Hunter -authority and command, regulation 08150H6 of the Navy regulations, to relieve you of command, Captain!

Ramsey -to place the XO under arrest, under charges of mutiny! COB!

[Silence all round]

Chief of the Boat Captain, please, the XO is right. We can't launch unless he concurs.

Ramsey To the USS Alabama: Rebel-controlled missiles being fuelled. Launch codes compromised, dissidents threaten to launch at continental United States, set DEFCON 2. Immediately launch ten Trident missile sorties." They're FUELING THEIR MISSILES! We don't have time to fuck around!

[reading EAM]

Hunter Sir, I think you need time to think this over.

Ramsey I DON'T HAVE TO THINK THIS OVER!

Hunter Captain, I relieve you of your command of this ship. COB, escort the Captain off the bridge, I'm assuming command.

Ramsey You're not assuming anything!

Hunter CHIEF OF THE BOAT, Captain Ramsey is under arrest — lock him in his stateroom!

Chief of the Boat Captain, please...

Hunter NOW, COB!

Chief of the Boat Aye, sir. Mitchell, Walker, take the Captain below.

Ramsey You're out of your league, Hunter. You're not ready to make difficult decisions yet.

Crimson Tide

Clash Amidst Nuclear Tensions

Taglines On the brink of nuclear war, two men clash over the fate of the world.

Crimson Tide

Responsibility and Accidents in Leadership Decisions

Capt. Ramsey So, Mr. Hunter, do you think I was wrong to run that drill?

Hunter Not necessarily, sir.

Ramsey Do you think I got that man killed?

Hunter No, sir. One thing had nothing to do with the other. It was an accident.

Ramsey Would you have run the drill?

Hunter No, sir, I wouldn't have.

Ramsey Why not?

Hunter The fire in the galley could have flared back up. I would have seen to it first, sir.

Ramsey I'm sure you would have. Me, on the other hand, I tend to think that's the best time to run a drill. Confusion on the ship is nothing to fear. It should be taken advantage of. Lest you forget, Mr. Hunter, we are a ship of war, designed for battle. You don't just fight battles when everything is hunky-dory. What'd you think, son? I was just some crazy old coot putting everyone in harm's way as I yell "YEE-HA!"?

Hunter That was not my first thought, sir. But there's no excuse. At the time I was fighting the fire in the galley I did not agree with your call, sir.

Ramsey Take a seat. Just so we understand each other, I don't have any problems with questions or doubts. As I said to you before, I'm not seeking the company of kiss-asses. When you got somethin to say to me, you say it in private. And if privacy doesn't permit itself, then you bite your fucking tongue. Are we clear about that, Commander?

[Sighs; beat]

Hunter As a bell, sir.

Ramsey Those sailors out there are just boys...boys who are training to do a terrible and unthinkable thing, and if that ever occurs, the only reassurance they'll have that they're doing the proper thing is gonna derive from their unqualified belief in the unified chain of command. That means we don't question each other's motives in front of the crew. It means we don't undermine each other. It means in a missile drill they hear your voice right after mine, without hesitation. Do you agree with that policy, sailor?

[beat]

Hunter Absolutely, sir.

Ramsey We're here to preserve democracy, not to practice it. There'll be a memorial service in the enlisted men's mess at 1100 hours. Go see to it.

[Nods in approval]

Hunter Aye, aye, sir.

Ramsey Oh, Hunter. Short of the outbreak of World War III, the ship sinking or being attacked by a giant octopus, I'd like to be undisturbed for the next 30 minutes.

[As he he begins to read his newspaper]

Hunter I'll see to it, sir.

Ramsey By the way, it was Marichek's 300 pounds that killed him... Not the fire...Dismissed.

[looks to Hunter]

Crimson Tide

Conflicting Perspectives on Command Decisions

Hunter Look, it wasn't a mutiny, I did everything by the book.

Chief of the Boat It's not about the book. If the Russians are gonna launch and we sit here and do nothing... who's gonna stop em? Half of me's glad the Captain came back.

Hunter No orders are right if they're wrong.

Chief of the Boat We don't know that.

Hunter You're right, we don't know. That's why it's our job to find out. What if Radchenko surrendered and it's over, huh? We launch. They see us, and they launch. Our birds pass each other in the air. Boom. What have you got?

[pours coffee]

Chief of the Boat Nuclear war.

Hunter Nuclear holocaust.

Crimson Tide

Crisis Resolved with Minimal Casualties

CNN Reporter Richard Valeriani In the early hours of this morning, Russian Army forces moved in, and met surprisingly little resistance. There were some sporadic battles... but, apparently, the specter of fighting their countrymen proved too much for these rebel troops, and they surrendered quickly. So a crisis that seemed to be escalating beyond the point of no return, was ultimately resolved with fewer than a hundred soldiers dead. And the nuclear base captured by Radchenko is back in government hands. Reporting live from the French aircraft carrier Foch in the Mediterranean Sea, this is Richard Valeriani for CNN.