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The Final Countdown (1980)

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Average Rating: 5.4/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 9

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 0 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 7,451

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Movie Info

The USS Nimitz, a modern-day nuclear-powered aircraft carrier captained by Kirk Douglas, passes through a time warp and finds itself at Pearl Harbor on December 6, 1941. Douglas is all for preventing the infamous Japanese attack by unleashing the 1980s technology at his disposal. But wait--if history is inviolate, what will happen to future events if the attack doesn't come off? For nearly two hours, pros and cons are volleyed back and forth by Douglas, by ambitious senator Charles Durning, and

PG, 1 hr. 32 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Cult Movies

Directed By: Don Taylor

In Theaters: Aug 1, 1980 Wide

On DVD: Mar 27, 2007

Live Home Video

The Final Countdown Trailer & Photos

Cast

Kirk Douglas
Capt. Matthew Yelland
Martin Sheen
Warren Lasky
Katharine Ross
Laurel Scott
James Farentino
Cmdr. Richard Owens
Ron O'Neal
Cmdr. Dan Thurman
Charles Durning
Senator Chapman
Victor Mojica
Black Cloud
James C. Lawrence
Lt. Perry
Soon-Teck Oh
Simura
Joe Lowry
Cmdr. Damon
Alvin Ing
Kajima
Mark Thomas
Cpl. Kullman
Dan Fitzgerald
Navy Doctor
Robert Goodman
Gary Morgan
Phil Philbin
Admiral
Billy Dee Williams
Bill Couch Jr.
Orwin Harvey
Lloyd Kaufman
Lt. Cmdr. Kaufman
Richard Liberty
Ted Richert
Harold Bergman
Bellman
Jack McDermott
George Warren
Victor Mohica

Critic Reviews for The Final Countdown

All Critics (15) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (9) | DVD (14)

As a documentary on the USS Nimitz, The Final Countdown is wonderful. As entertainment, however, it has the feeling of a telepic that strayed onto the big screen.

March 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

It's filled with technology, special effects and action. But it just doesn't make any sense.

October 23, 2004 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

The special effects are funnier than, I suspect, they were intended to be.

August 30, 2004 Full Review Source: New York Times

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

Top Critic

Little more than a lengthy Twilight Zone episode.

May 14, 2012 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

One of the better time-travel movies. Generates lots of suspense because it's directed and acted with a great deal of conviction. John Scott's musical score is outstanding.

February 17, 2006 Comment

Chuck O'Leary

FulvueDrive-in.com

An idea worthy of Harlan Ellison, but disappointingly fumbled.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

...manages to capture the imagination of the viewer with its fantastic story and respectable cast of Hollywood veterans.

April 17, 2004 Comment

Rudy Joggerst

Reel.com

A solid movie with a lousy ending.

March 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

| Comment

Walter Chaw

Film Freak Central

Great what if sci-fi with a nuclear aircraft carrier, a time warp, and the attack on Pearl Harbor.

March 17, 2003 Comment

Brian Mckay

eFilmCritic.com

Something you'd watch on TV for free without complaint.

May 30, 2001 Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

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James O'Ehley

Sci-Fi Movie Page Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page

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Audience Reviews for The Final Countdown

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not believable but fun

April 1, 2007

jay nixon

Super Reviewer

Enjoyable time travel fantasy that dumps a modern day aircraft carrier in the path of the attacking japanese force on the eve of Pearl Harbor. Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen add weight to the cast, and although the idea isn't fully fleshed out, and the direction rather lacklustre and "TV movie", it's still an

March 3, 2007