Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest
    • 3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)
    • 3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)
    • 3625. Ode To Joy (2019)
    • 3624. One Chance (2013)
    • 3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)
    • 3622. The Polka King (2017)
    • 3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)
    • 3620. Friendzone (2021)
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Home
    • Blog
      • All Posts
      • Best Of The Year
        • Best Of 2015
        • Best Of 2016
        • Best Of 2017
        • Best Of 2018
        • Best Of 2019
        • Best Of 2020
        • Best Of 2021
        • Best Of 2022
      • The Decade In Review
      • Box Office Analysis
      • James Bond
      • Oscars
      • RANKED
      • Star Wars
      • The Big Questions
      • Top 10
      • World Cinema
    • Ratings
      • Top 250
      • Top 100 Foreign Films
      • Bottom 50
      • 0 – 1.9
      • 2 – 3.9
      • 4 – 5.9
      • 6 – 7.9
      • 8 – 10
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Anthology
      • Animation
      • Christmas
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Documentary
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Film-Noir
      • History
      • Horror
      • Kids’
      • Musical
      • Psychological
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Short
      • Silent
      • Sport
      • Superhero
      • Survival
      • Thriller
      • Western
    • Release Year
      • 2020s
      • 2010s
      • 2000s
      • 1990s
      • 1980s
      • 1970s
      • 1960s
      • 1950s
      • 1940s
      • 1930s
      • 1920s
    • Country
      • Afghanistan
      • Argentina
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Brazil
      • Cambodia
      • Canada
      • Chile
      • China
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Czechoslovakia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • East Timor
      • Faroe Islands
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Georgia
      • Greece
      • Hong Kong
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Iran
      • Iraq
      • Ireland
      • Israel
      • Italy
      • Japan
      • Latvia
      • Lebanon
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Mexico
      • New Zealand
      • Nigeria
      • North Korea
      • Norway
      • Paraguay
      • Peru
      • Philippines
      • Poland
      • Romania
      • Russia
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • South Africa
      • Soviet Union
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • Syria
      • Taiwan
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uganda
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Uruguay
      • Vietnam
      • Zambia
    • About
    The Mad Movie Man
    You are at:Home»Review»3601. The Hunt For Red October (1990)

    3601. The Hunt For Red October (1990)

    0
    By The Mad Movie Man on January 1, 2022 130-139 mins, 1990, 6 - 7.9, Action, Jan 22, Movies Of 2022, Review, Thriller, United States
    7.5 A cagey political thriller
    • Acting 7.7
    • Directing 7.5
    • Story 7.3
    • User Ratings (0 Votes) 0

    Starring: Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn

    Director: John McTiernan

    Running Time: 135 mins


    The Hunt For Red October is an American film about a rogue Soviet submarine captain hoping to defect to the United States, who must rely on the nous of a CIA analyst to help him and the world escape a deadly naval conflict.

    A cagey political thriller that you might not expect from its blockbuster billing, The Hunt For Red October is a gripping watch, and a film that isn’t afraid to take things slowly to build the greatest excitement possible. While not a constant nail-biter, The Hunt For Red October counts on cleverly-executed tension and enthralling political themes throughout, bolstered by a committed and magnetic cast of A-list stars.

    Let’s start with the film’s historical context. Set right at the end of the Cold War, The Hunt For Red October is a film that’s more than willing to play with the classic themes of good and bad in the USA’s icy battle with the Soviet Union. While the movie still has many of the tropes that make for a great Cold War movie, this is much different from what you expect from the genre.

    That’s most evident in the portrayal of the Soviet submarine captain Ramius, played by Sean Connery. Despite no seeming attempt to nail a Russian accent, unlike some of his co-stars, Connery is the perfect fit for the role, turning the archetypal Soviet villain into a surprisingly likable hero, albeit not without a dark streak.

    Pitted against the arguably more clinical CIA analyst in Alec Baldwin’s Jack Ryan, Sean Connery absolutely makes this movie. Not only does he fit the bill as a powerful, calculating figure in the Soviet navy, but his charisma and down-to-earth on-screen style makes his efforts to defect seem every bit as genuine as those supporting him believe.

    While suspicion and threats of an ambush abound in the midst of the Cold War context, this is one of those few films where Hollywood really gets you to support a Soviet military figure, and Connery pulls it off expertly.

    However, things aren’t quite as simple as that, and that’s where The Hunt For Red October’s more patient pacing and cagey atmosphere come into play. Though not quite the rollercoaster of Thirteen Days or the terrifying premonition of Fail-Safe, The Hunt For Red October provides a gripping and consistently unnerving portrayal of just how close one incident between the US and USSR could bring the world to all-out war.

    Even in the conflict’s dying years, desperation and suspicion on both sides leaves every decision potentially holding the fate of the world in its hands. With that, and with the film’s constant suspense, you’ll spend more than enough of The Hunt For Red October on the edge of your seat.

    Perhaps a few more bursts of conflict would have heightened the stakes and intensity in this case, but there’s no denying that this is an impressive and measured way to go about a Cold War thriller, which makes for a memorable and thoroughly gripping watch. So, that’s why I’m giving The Hunt For Red October a 7.5 overall.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    The Mad Movie Man
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The Mad Movie Man, AKA Anthony Cullen, writes articles and reviews about movies and the world of cinema. Since January 1st, 2013, he has watched and reviewed a movie every day. This is the blog dedicated to the project: www.madmovieman.com

    Related Posts

    7.1

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    Follow Me Online!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Tumblr
    New Releases
    5.3
    January 17, 2022

    3620. Friendzone (2021)

    7.1
    January 10, 2022

    3612. The Lost Daughter (2021)

    8.0
    January 7, 2022

    3609. Licorice Pizza (2021)

    7.2
    January 7, 2022

    3608. Lamb (2021)

    7.4
    December 30, 2021

    3599. The King’s Man (2021)

    6.3
    December 29, 2021

    3598. The Matrix Resurrections (2021)

    8.4
    December 28, 2021

    3597. West Side Story (2021)

    6.3
    December 27, 2021

    3596. Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

    Recommended Movies
    8.0
    Review
    January 20, 20190

    2427. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (2019)

    8.2
    Review
    February 3, 20160

    1241. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)

    8.0
    Review
    June 14, 20200

    2987. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

    8.1
    Review
    September 5, 20150

    1079. Slow West (2015)

    8.0
    Review
    November 29, 20200

    3167. To Be Or Not To Be (1942)

    Popular Posts
    7.1
    January 24, 2022

    3627. I Believe In Miracles (2015)

    5.8
    January 23, 2022

    3626. The Man With One Red Shoe (1985)

    7.9
    January 22, 2022

    3625. Ode To Joy (2019)

    7.4
    January 21, 2022

    3624. One Chance (2013)

    6.3
    January 20, 2022

    3623. Falling For Figaro (2020)

    7.5
    January 19, 2022

    3622. The Polka King (2017)

    6.0
    January 18, 2022

    3621. Spies In Disguise (2019)

    © 2022 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.